With so much buzz about eco-friendly products, one of the best natural fibres that instantly comes to mind after cotton is jute.
It is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads and lends itself to versatile applications from low value geo-textiles to high value carpets, rugs, apparel, decoratives, furnishings, bags, fancy non-wovens for new products, hammocks or useful gifts and knick-knacks.
Jute Cottage is holding an exhibition of specially made jute products ranging from little pouches, useful to put small gifts priced at Rs 20, to handbags priced at Rs 400.
“We have had our store and factory in the City since 1999 and our designing and manufacturing is done in-house. With new and improved bleaching, dyeing and finishing processes and by blending jute with other natural or synthetic fibres, jute products now have a fine feel, lustre and aesthetic appeal and are no longer limited to the coarse materials used in the production of gunny bags,” says Khan, the proprietor.
The products at Jute Cottage are many and varied and a look around the stacked shelves will turn up quite an interesting variety of items especially made for the price sensitive and eco-conscious shopper.
What’s available? Lightweight slippers or sandals in neutral colours and belts to match. Bags in all sizes ranging from small drawstring bags, medium sized multi-purpose bags for college students to sling over their shoulders or for the busy housewife to stash away in a vehicle especially if one wants to avoid using plastic bags when shopping; wallets with the obligatory number of pockets for credit cards or cash, pencil cases in bright prints and file folders which look much nicer than the plain plastic that is habitually used.
Wine bottle holders, lunch bags and smart handbags embellished with embroidery or block prints. Jewellery that is lightweight and easy on the wallet. Rugs and dhurries in bold cheerful colours and prints. There is quite a range and variety to pick and choose from.
The exhibition is on till June 14 at Jute Cottage outlets in Cambridge Layout, Sai Baba Temple Road and Brigade Road.