SE Asia Textile Trip 2016

I returned from the SE Asia textile trip last weekend. I didn't have much time to idle before I had to go straight back to work. It's a nice feeling though that I have a job to come back to.

Even though my SE Asia textile trip was only 2 weeks, what I have fitted in to those two weeks feels like a lifetime of learning. If you remember I visited this part of the world two years ago. Returning for a second time has given me more depth and appreciation into the vast range of textiles and cultures of SE Asia. I originally came from that part of the world, but apart from learning how to sew at a young age I didn't learn about SE Asia's textiles until long after I left. 

On this trip I spent more time exploring the designs, colour, natural and indigo dyes and vintage textile pieces. I also attended a couple of natural and indigo dye workshops as well as a weaving workshop. I have also noticed a change in textile collections. Instead of the traditional items I saw two years ago I now found semi traditional cheaply made gifts! I was lucky to come across a few shops that sell collectible textile pieces, but they were hard to find. I enjoyed walking in small lanes and back streets. In doing so I found little shops with treasures tucked away from the main thoroughfares. 

I love to visit as many markets as possible. I hit lucky in some places where there were markets only once a week. I will add short captions for each photo. I don't want you to think that I bought everything on the photos in this post! Just a warning that it's going to be a photo heavy post. 

Scrumptious dyed silk at  Talad Sao, Vientiane

Some vintage silk carves at a shop in Vientiane

 

Piles and piles of vintage textiles, Vientiane

I came away with a wedding piece from
the shop above. Woven silk.

These remnants were thrown in when I bought
the piece in the above photo! 

Decorative tapes found in Talad Sao, Vientiane 

I attended a natural/indigo dye workshop at the
Houey Hong Vocational Center in Vientiane

Natural dyes daily at Oct Pop Tok, Luang Prabang

Samples of work you can choose to
make in workshops at Ock Pop Tok

Lovely original woven pieces at Ock Pop Tok
gallery in town, Luang Prabang

I was lucky to get a chance to visit a
Hmong village in Chiang Mai

Some of the Hmong works both new and old

A lovely old woven silk scarf in my hotel

More lovely old woven silk
scarves in my hotel

Old Sinh (tube skirt) I bought from a back
street shop in Luang Prabang

Indigo vat at Ock Pop Tok

Silk scarf I dyed with indigo and
stitch lack insects

Indigo beads

Hmong textiles from a market in Chiang Mai

Woven old cotton blanket

Woven old cotton blanket I bought
from Talad Soa, Vientiane

Indigo cotton scarves from Bansoa gallery,
Vientiane

Indigo Sinh (tube skirt) from local
market in Luang Prabang

A simple woven linen cloth from
Indigo House, Bangkok

Last minute finds in Bangkok.
They are from Afghanistan 

A few simple purses bought at Chiang Mai Airport

Wholesale market, Waroros

Night market, Chiang Mai

Sunset on Mekong River with Cloth House's tote

Needless to say I came home with a big stash of stuff. Some are for gifts and others I will use to make home decorations and gifts.

Not all of what I brought home, but close to it!

I need a gift this weekend so I quickly made one
using a Hmong's embroidery piece I brought
back. It's a Coptic binding book.

Four cities in 15 days. It was a busy, but enjoyable and exciting trip. My trip was semi organized by Audley Travel and I. Audley Travel specializes in boutique tours. They will do from two persons to a full size tour. I'm very happy using Audley Travel when I travels without Mr Notjustnat. 

I'm sorry if some of you already saw my photos on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for following me along on the trip. If you have any questions regarding my trip just let me know.

Until next time

Nat