Buying Guide
Choosing a Lao Textile
The price of textiles is somewhat varied. This is due to three main factors; materials, craftmanship and design. Lao silk is more expensive than it's neighbouring countries. It is highly sought after by textile producers and currently production doesn't meet demand. Silk is produced in three main areas, Luang Namtha, Houaphan and Xieng Khouan Provinces. The production of Lao silk is seasonal revolving around the rice harvest. Weavers have to buy elsewhere at certian times of the year. Lao silk is hand spun from silk worms, the worms feed of the leaves of the mulberry tree. Lao silk is soft and absorbs dyes well, making it very rich in colour.
There are a few key elements to look for when assesing the craftmanship of a textile; the tightness of the weave, the straightness fo the edges and the clarity of the pattern. A good weave is when the supplementary pattern is perfectly inverted on the back of the cloth. When looking at the pattern, check the back of the cloth and look down the edges to check there are no stray threads. Also see if the piece falls perpendicular.
The pattern is the most important part of a weaving, dictating what the piece has been made for. Traditionally a woman would weave her hopes and dreams into a piece using the symbolism of the patterns. Some patterns are very rare with only a few families knowing how to weave a certain piece, however also rare to find. The complexity of a piece depends upon how many colours have been used in the patterns and the number of threads in the warp.