From Soil to Carpet, Morocco
*Note this project in in process, with final photos coming soon!
Materials: locally produced and handspun Timahdite sheep wool, locally sourced and foraged natural dyes
Natural dyes used: Madder, Henna powder, Henna leaves, Pomegranate, Gallium, Green Oak, Walnut Leaves
Techniques: handwoven on vertical rug looms and naturally dyed by hand
Sizes: TBD
Our quilt series, From Soil to Carpet was developed through our OneEarth sponsored initiative, Regenerating Natural Fabric Dyeing Processes with Traditional Moroccan Weavers. ATW80F partnered with a diverse group of experienced Morocco-based women with the goal to support their own efforts in strengthening their vibrant carpet making practices and their desire to switch away from harmful synthetic dye to healthier natural dye practices instead. We worked closely and collaboratively with Artisan Project and the Ain Leuh Women’s Cooperative to co-develop the project’s scope and outcomes, including this series of quilted rugs.
This is an ongoing initiative in collaboration with a multi-national and multi-disciplinary group of women with a focus on catalyzing changes in the carpet industry of Morocco. Our collaboration focused on collective knowledge sharing between all partners - from creating new recipes with traditional knowledge of plants and dyes of the region with master weavers, to hunting for pigment producing microbes with additional Moroccan microbiology colleagues.
Project partners:
ARTISAN PROJECT:
Nina Mohammad, Founder and creative directorMaymuna Galbert, Intern and translator
Alima Manaar Galbert, Intern and translator
Mehdi Benalmahi, Logistics
Soukaina Siyali, Assistant
AIN LEUH WOMENS COOPERATIVE:
Khadijah El Abdi, President
Hachmia Douiri, Treasurer
Khadouj Ouashkek, Secretary
Fatima el Aroussi
Hjou Amraoui
Hay-at Assafi
Jamila Rachidi
Sadia Oubla
Rachida Ghanem
Mahamma Bahous
THE MICROBE INSTITUTE: Dr. Anne Madden, Founder and microbiologist
JUDE LAB AT BARD COLLEGE: Dr. Brooke Jude, Associate Professor, Bard College
LUMIX AMBASSADOR (PANASONIC SPONSORED PHOTOGRAPHER): Jamie House, photographer
