Malabar Silk Tartan Fabric No.05

Malabar Silk Tartan fabric imbues the subtle and expected richness of the Highland Tartan. This fabric is an interpretation of the early Madras Plaids. The multi-colour exudes a warmth that embraces the history of Scottish design culture migration to India.

The East India Company transported the design and manufacturing of tartan from the Scottish highlands to the indigenous Coromandel Coast weaving families, the producers of the traditional Madras calico and block-printed cloth.

The Coromandel weaver used natural vegetable dyes that were unstable when washed. This process gave rise to the term “Bleeding Madras”. Brooks Brothers of New York promoted this bleeding of the colours in the USA, which became a best-selling fabric.

Malabar Silk Tartan fabric. A raw silk draping fabric in natural colours of Black and Yellow plaid stripes on a red earth ground. The texture has a feel of a knobbly or nubby surface, this is the result of the weaving process using uneven fibres.

This delightful fabric, manufactured on handlooms, is a medium-weight weave having a soft feel to the touch. Like most plaid and tartan fabrics it is suitable for drapes, cushions and scarves.

Samples are available @ £2.50 each. If the fabric is purchased then the sample cost will be refunded.