Design Resource
Cotton Weaving - Kerala
Handloom Cotton Weaving
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and Lija M G
Making Process
As Kannur is largely known for the large varieties of the cotton products that is made, which follows the step by step procedure from the initial to the end process that it follows from long years. Yarns are mostly brought from the NHDC (National Handloom Development Corporation) of Kannur which regularly supplies for the Handloom Society. The grey yarns are boiled with starch in the boiler for about 24 hrs then dried under shade completely.
The desired colour of yarn are dyed in the dyeing tanks with right quantity of dyes, supporting chemicals and temperature for the colouring process. It is given to the neighboring houses to wind the yarn to the big bobbins for warping process. Yarns are wound to the pirns by the charaka equipment for the weaving process.
As per the pattern to be obtained the yarns are wound on to the warping frames by the warping paddle (of wooden bat shape) and fed to the loom. Frame looms like the Malabar looms are generally preferred for weaving of the cotton materials in the Payyannur, Kannur regions of Kerala. By the passing of the fly shuttle the weaving takes place and each weaver weaves as per his/ her ability of about 2-3 mts per day.
After the cotton materials are woven it is taken to the nearby finishing process unit where the final finish to the fabrics are given and brought back to the weaving unit for sale.
Flow Chart of Making Process:
