Artisans from UMBVS Desert Weavers of India craft this cotton sling bag using traditional weaving methods. The eye-catching patterns in black and white and the bag's modest size make it a great everyday carryall. An external zipper compartment is perfect for your keys or cell phone, while the larger main compartment holds the rest of your necessities.
Made in India
100% cotton; cotton lining
Dry clean only
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
The Desert Weavers of India group successfully changed the centuries' old tradition that forbade women from working on the loom, thus offering them an opportunity to learn to weave.
"We dream of a just and egalitarian social order in which there is space for everyone, especially the weakest and the... most deflected, so they can stand on their own feet and live a life of dignity," says Mularam, a member of Desert Weavers of India.
Urmul Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti (UMBVS) is an NGO of traditional weavers formed in 1987. The group became independent in 1991. What started as a self-help group has now become a successful weavers' community in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan.
The name Urmul Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti literally means "Development Committee of Desert Weavers." It began with a small group of 30 weavers, each equipped with traditional weaving techniques and personal skills, which have been handed-down from generation to generation. Now the organization has spread to 90 villages, supporting more than 170 families.
"I have been weaving now for 15 years, as I was born into a family of weavers," 35-year-old Mularam says as he offers testimony of his experience. "My forefathers have all been weavers, and they taught me the art while I was growing up. Being a member of Desert Weavers of India UMBVS, gave me opportunity to learn new designs, use different kinds of yarn and, most importantly, the crucial aspect of quality and perfection.
"Before joining, I used to work for middlemen, which was rather unsettling due to untimely payment, poor raw materials etc. Now I get the raw materials and design suggestions from UMBVS. Apart from the financial benefits, I have earned a lot of respect and admiration from my community for my fine work and my association with the organization."
Like most women in weaving communities, Pappu Devi was only allowed to assist her husband as he wove. She got the yarn ready and generally helped around. UMBVS successfully changed the centuries' old tradition that forbade women from working on the loom, thus offering them an opportunity to learn how to weave. Pappu Devi took this opportunity, and now she is an accomplished weaver! Her husband does not keep too well, and appreciates her contribution. "Now when I cannot weave due to ill health, we no longer have to ask for help from neighbors. Pappu Devi weaves just as well as I do, and we get by," says her husband.
From traditional style to adding a touch of urbanity, the weavers of UMBVS have come a long way. They add and combine new materials, styles and motifs to their traditional style.
The main weaving technique is called pattu, which is derived from the term patti, meaning "narrow strips." Working on a pit loom, the patterns are woven in two pieces and joined together. The uniqueness of this weaving is the supplemental weft ornamentation, called kashida. This means that extra threads are placed by hand into the horizontal threads to obtain an embroidered effect. The wool's natural colors as well as organic dyes are used to create decor accessories, garments, and wide range of bags and pouches.
But the real strength lies in the Desert Weavers group's ability to reach out to the community, to provide education and health services, relief, social security, and to give a voice to the weakest. Besides the weaving units, the organization runs more than a dozen schools in surrounding villages. Their child-centered activities range from immunization and growth monitoring for infants, to special programs for adolescents.
Desert Weavers of India UMBVS has been at the forefront of relief and rehabilitation efforts in the community. Whether it is a deadly epidemic of malaria, a fire, flash floods, or the recurrent phenomenon of drought, UMBVS members have worked day and night to provide aid to the helpless and the needy in their area.
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
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WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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