EXCEPTIONAL EXPERTISE
Discover the 7 production steps used to create your scarves and shawls in our workshops in Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia.
Patience, precision, delicacy: 8 to 12 hours of work are required to weave a scarf.
Step 1: Dyeing [Kar chrolk pnr]
At Soieries du Mékong, we receive raw silk hanks. The silk is then degummed (cleaned), after which we hand-dye the threads. This first manufacturing stage takes nearly 8 hours and is a testament to true craftsmanship, evidenced by the vibrancy and depth of our colors.
Step 2: Winding [Rö Sot]
This step consists of unwinding the dyed silk skeins using a spinning wheel and a bobbin winder. The silk bobbins will be used to prepare the warp (which represents the length of the scarves) on one hand, and to prepare the weft bobbins (which represent the width of the scarves) for weaving on the other.
Step 3: Warping! [Ontong]
This step consists of winding the warp threads (lengthwise), which will be installed on the loom, onto the warping mill in a parallel manner and in a precise order. During this stage, the width of the scarf and the number of threads composing it are defined, and the tension of the warp—essential for weaving—is made uniform.
Step 4: Combing! [Tchak Thmegn]
Each silk thread is delicately slipped between the teeth of the reed.
There are different sizes of reeds with varying spacing between the teeth, which makes it possible to determine the density of the warp threads. These threads are then evenly tensioned and knotted onto the front beam.
Step 5: Knotting! [Thkö]
The warp threads are separated by cotton heddles attached to different harnesses. The harnesses are linked together to pulleys and attached to the loom's treadles. They allow for the creation of different openings, which are necessary to pass the shuttle through and thereby weave. The shedding thus makes it possible to distinguish between independent layers of threads and thereby determine the type of weave (the weave structure).
Step 6: Weaving! [Tbagn]
Once the loom is ready, it is the weavers' turn to put their expertise to work. The weaving stage consists of creating a complex interlacing of the warp threads (lengthwise) and weft threads (widthwise), following a repeating pattern. The weft thread is wound onto a bobbin placed in a shuttle. The weaver passes the shuttle between the warp threads using the loom's pedals. Each heddle frame corresponds to a layer of threads. Once raised, these create an opening called a shed, which allows the shuttle to pass through. The reed then beats the weft thread into place, gradually forming the fabric.
Step 7: The finishing touches! [Banhchob]
The scarves are washed, softened, the fringes are knotted, and the Soieries du Mékong logo is hand-embroidered with silk thread. Finally, a label with the name of the weaver who wove the scarf is added, a signature from the artisan who crafted the product.
