Slubbed

Slubbed, Indian artisanal fabrics by the metre

Slubbed is a company based on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, dedicated to selling artisanal fabrics from India. Its catalogue focuses on Ajrak prints, both traditional and contemporary, hand block-printed in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The company sells fabric by the metre and also a selection of products made with these prints.

Origin: a chance discovery in Kutch

The company was born out of a trip to India. Its founders initially travelled to the Kutch district to attend a meditation course, with textiles not being the reason for the trip, although they already had a prior interest in the sector. It was there that they discovered Ajrak printing. The arid landscape, the hospitality of the locals, the hand-carved wooden blocks, the geometric designs and the painstaking printing process made a strong impression on them. After the course, they stayed in the area to learn more about this technique and later decided to bring these fabrics to a wider audience.

Catalogue of fabrics and prints

Slubbed's catalogue is organised into several product families, including Block, Bagh, Kari, Batik, Kala, Loom, Brush, Tie/Dye, as well as bags (Totes) and shirts (Shirts). The main offering is Ajrak textiles by the metre, designed both for those working in the textile sector and for sewing and dressmaking enthusiasts.

The company notes that Ajrak prints have traditionally been used for garments such as women's sarees and men's turbans, although it highlights their versatility and encourages textile artists, patchworkers and stitchers in general to take advantage of their possibilities. In addition to fabric by the metre, it offers a select number of in-house designed products sewn with Ajrak prints.

Among the items shown in the shop are references such as Kora V, Pinstripes, Raspberry Jam and Rock Pool, with prices at the time of analysis ranging from £4.50 to £50.

Informative content on textile techniques

Slubbed maintains a blog where it publishes content on block printing, natural dyes, Ajrak, batik, handloom weaving and Kala cotton. Among the posts included are "Indigo Dyeing & Indigo Weaving" (1 August 2024), "Impressions of Kutch - Adventures in Half-Frame" (2 July 2024) and "The Blockmakers of Pethapur" (5 June 2024). The company also offers information on the origin and history of Ajrak printing, its production process and the use of natural dyes.

Plans for expansion

The company states its intention to offer in the future block-printed fabrics not only from Kutch, but also from other regions of India and possibly other countries.

Location and contact

Phone: 07852791928 · Email: hayden@slubbed.co.uk