Skills We Cherish
Blockprinting
Hand block printing on textiles—a revered craft of Rajasthan—has flourished for some 450 years. First brought to Jaipur by the Chhipa community from Bagru Village, this intricate process involves stamping each colour element of a pattern onto fabric, often requiring five or six precise layers to complete just one design.
At Malabar Trading, we’re thrilled to collaborate closely with artisans in Bagru, creating exclusive collections of bedding, tablecloths, nightwear, and clothing. Over the past two decades, it’s been our privilege to witness the evolution of this heritage craft, from improved facilities to a new generation of apprentices breathing life into the trade. Traditional motifs now blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics, preserving and enlivening this timeless art for future generations.
Jewellery Making
Exquisite stones from across the globe are transformed into stunning jewellery in Jaipur, blending tradition with elegance. We primarily source silver jewellery adorned with semi-precious gems such as garnet, citrine, onyx, and lapis. Our trusted jeweller, Pawan, brings decades of expertise to his craft, with an exceptional understanding of each stone’s unique benefits and cultural significance. Every year, we have the pleasure of collaborating with him to handpick each piece and design exclusive new creations, tailored just for our Malabar customers.
Hand Loom Weaving
Indian handloom weaving traces back to the Indus Valley civilization, when nearly every village had its own weavers, crafting sarees, dhotis, fabrics, towels, bed sheets, and scarves for local needs.
Traditionally, the art of cloth making was entirely self-sustained. Cotton, silk, and wool were sourced locally, and the entire process—from cleaning to spinning—was managed by the weavers themselves, using tools like the iconic spinning wheel (Charkha). This hand-spun yarn was then woven into cloth on handlooms. However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, India shifted to exporting raw cotton, opening the market to imported machine-made yarn. This change devastated the livelihoods of spinners and rendered handloom weavers reliant on costly, bulk-purchased machine yarn, which led to a steep decline in the industry.
Today, with renewed support from government initiatives, social enterprises, and skilled artisans, India’s handloom industry is experiencing a well-deserved revival.
One of our dedicated suppliers, Dillip, provides us with handloomed cotton throws, waistcoats, and bedcovers. Passionate about sustaining rural communities, he collaborates directly with weavers, ensuring fair compensation for their craft and fostering a sustainable future for cotton weaving in India’s villages. We also work closely with Aadyam to source handwoven shawls from Gujarat – working with this social enterprise ensures we know the name of each weaver and the skills being invested in.
Applique and Embroidery
Appliqué is a treasured form of ancient folk art in India, where fabric is artfully stitched onto fabric for decoration. Traditionally, artisans used this technique to mend torn clothing, sewing patches of various materials over damaged areas. Over the centuries, appliqué took on cultural importance, adorning royal garments and enhancing ceremonial umbrellas and tents in temples.
This vibrant art form thrives across India, with renowned hubs in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Madurai.
Founded in Barmer, the Ruma Devi Foundation has since established a network of over 30,000 rural women skilled in appliqué and embroidery, providing them with sustainable livelihoods. Profits from their work support the education of young girls. We proudly offer their exquisite appliqué bedcovers and charming embroidered purses
