Hi David,

Thanks for your comment. I've had a look at your webpage, and it'sreally interesting. I am currently placed as an intern for the Danish NGO MS in Dar es Salaam. And my job is to write a report on Social Economy and how MS can help promote it, and my approach is ethical consumerism, so Tartans for Africa is definately relevant.
Do you have more information other than what is on the webpage? Maybe I could run it by my supervisors here, and see if they could be interested in knowing more. I sure am.

Best regards,
Kirstine

Hi David,

I give a quick look to your page, it's interesting.
Can I do something for you?

Best Regards,

Vanesa

I'm looking for felt cones....

Hi David, thanks for your message - I did my BA in Architecture and then worked for a couple of years. Now I am just going into my final year of an HND course in Textiles, and have started producing and selling some of my own printed textile work (blog link here). I had a quick look at your page and am really interested in the Tartans for Africa project. Is that linked to the current work you mentioned with the schools? Regards, Towera

Hi David, we are in the throes of designing a range of interior fabrics for curtains, soft furnishings etc. etc. I have changed our profile, - as Nikki is the designer - I just do the admin! Thank you, Glynis

Hello David, the current students have designed a T-shirt. They are just rounding up to their 3 month programme. Do you print as well as design the tartans? Olusola

Hi David,

Thanks for your exciting msg. I would be delighted to give you more information about my hand woven scarves. If you send me your email address, I will send you some images of my new collection.
Available in many rich colours and styles; my accessories are designed and woven in my studio in Kirkcaldy and are featured on my website. Please visit www.laurencrawford.co.uk to view my collection online. My email address is info@laurencrawford.co.uk and I can also be contacted on 07783596216. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Many thanks, Lauren

Thank you very much for your comment, it is an interesting one that I will try to address in my project. I am also intrested in the company you work for. I have breifly looked at the website and was wondering what the whole idea behind giving them Tartan is? Does it improve their lives and is this fabric better than that they can produce themselves?
Thank you
Charlotte

Hey David, nice to meet you! I give a quick look to your page, it's interesting. Do you just design fabric or also clothing?

Conference... its not academic at all. Its very much industry driven.... and this year with a parallel programme on ethical fashion... advice on sourcing, etc.
3pm – Sourcing from India: Groundbreaking initiatives
If you are already sourcing fashion products from India or planning to, you will find this presentation extremely valuable. Learn about initiatives on the ground in India and how your business can engage with them.

4pm – Africa: The ethical fashion sourcing destination of the future
Attend this seminar to learn the latest developments in Africa, why and how it will become the ethical fashion sourcing destination of the future

Wool... I am all with you on that. But completely undertstand your rationale for looking at cotton. However.... soooo many questions!

. I'm guessing you are aiming for something like the second video.... but I wonder if these 100% handmade cloths are actually so expensive only the high end designers can afford them.
. are you wanting to have tartan cloths that can be worn by the locals?
. what price can they afford to pay?
. this might determine whether you can have artisan spun, dyed and woven fabric or need to source machine made yarn from elsewhere
. where are the fabrics that they wear currently coming from? I suspect, machine made in china.

. or are you wanting to have artisan produced tartan that can be made into other smaller items to sell... bags, cushions, tablecloths etc?
. to sell to whom... locals or tourists?

. most of the weaving I have seen from africa has been narrow looms, though the second video did show a wider width... tartans could lend themselves well to either narrow or wider width. The second video also shows there is a type of weaving done which allows for check patterns (warp and weft visible in equal amounts), which is good though whether you will be able to have a twill weave construction (usual for tartans) will depend on the type of looms available. That may not matter.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4106/is_200309/ai_n9241340/?tag=content;col1
http://vimeo.com/11697022

Anyway, I don't know much research you have already done and what technical info you need. There are a lot of issues in supply chain as well as the technical aspects of the weaving. But happy to help if I can.

PS: Do you know about RITE Group? The conference is on early Oct... could be very useful for you.
http://www.ritegroup.org/news.php
s.

Hi David. I am afraid I have relatively little experience in cotton though I did work with it quite a bit about 18+ years ago at a mill where I worked in Sydney. was pretty straightforward... much easier than wool from my point of view. If you want to talk through specifics of what you'd like to know I am happy to help if I can.
I don't know of many mills weaving cotton in the UK as I am only just starting to get a handle on the woollen mills. Were you hoping to manufacture in UK or thinking to source OS?
I see you have been corresponding with someone in India. There was an indian company presenting at the RITE conference last year... Shreyasker Chaudary from Pratibha Syntex who was introduced with great rap by Katherine Hamnett.
http://www.pratibhasyntex.net/company-profile.htm
I see they only do yarn and knit... but given their credibility from invitation to speak at RITE, they might be able to point you in the direction of a weaver who uses their fibre/yarns.
Cheers s.

Yes, what is your project entails? thanks g

Hi David, Had a look at your website, and happy to help if I can. What do you need to know?

love your tartan.. color is magnificent.

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I look forward to hear from you and if by any chance you are visiting India or planning to visit, please do let us know we would be happy to plan a visit for you where you'll be happy to see weavers weaving fabric as per the specs given .

Best Regards,
Vipin Bhanot
+91 9850407676
www.buyingsolutionsinc.com (under Construction)
Skype: buyingsolutions

Thank you :-)

Thank you so much David.