The name ‘Charpoy’ comes from a Hindi word which is a traditional hand woven bed made of jute twine within wooden frame, widely used in India to this day. Becoming a mother to two adorable boys has not only rekindled my love for nature but has led me to realise the relevance and value of natural materials that are organically and ethically produced. On a trip to India, I started researching and learning about the age-old tradition of woodblock printing by hand. I met skilled craftsmen who are highly knowledgeable and passionate about their craft and was able to see first-hand how the end product is achieved. Block printing by hand is a highly skilled craft that is capable of producing intricate and unique prints unobtainable by other textile printing methods. A unique pattern is carved by hand into a block of wood, usually seasoned teak. To print, the woodblock is dipped into a dye bath and stamped with utmost precision onto the fabric, usually linen, cotton, or silk. Woodblock printing is a slow and laborious process that has fallen into decline in recent years. Setting up The Charpoy has enabled me to combine my love for children’s clothing and bedding with traditional hand woven textiles and handicrafts. It is also my way of reviving and updating the declining tradition of woodblock printing which is uniquely done by hand. Not only does Preneet work closely with skilled craftsmen to design woodblocks that have a contemporary appeal and pays a fair wage to secure their future and the future of the art form. I hope that my handmade creations will contribute to the revival of the declining art form of woodblock printing.
