TEXTILE TOUR GUIDE IN INDIA

Laura Chenoweth is an ethical textile consultant with a deep passion for India’s textile traditions. Her first immersive textile tour in Rajasthan offers participants a rare opportunity to explore the historic textile hubs of Sanganer, Bagru, and Jaipur. and experience firsthand the living heritage of Indian handcraft. Drawing on years of consulting experience with organic textiles, Laura brings insight, context and guidance to every step of the journey.

A centerpiece of the experience is a three-day Sanganeri hand block printing workshop, where participants learn to work with natural plant dyes, traditional motifs, colors, types of blocks, then design and print their own fabric. Included is a day trip to Bagru to learn Dabu resist dyeing process and Titanwala Museum. Bagru is home of both the Raiger and the Chhipa community. Chhipas have been printing fabrics tradition for over 100 years.

Designed for small groups, the tour emphasizes personal connection, meaningful conversation and shared discovery. While this is Laura’s first tour, her expertise as a textile consultant and long time relationships with local artisans ensures a rich, engaging, and authentic experience  ~ leaving participants with tangible creations and lasting memories of India’s textile heritage.

HOST OF TEXTILE TOUR

Brij Udaiwal is a master craftsman, born into a fourth generation family of traditional textile block printers from Sanganer, Rajasthan. His love for ‘blue gold’ indigo and hand block printing is beyond words. Dyeing and printing, a technique practiced from ancient times, is a medium to express things through sustainable fabrics and herbal colours. 

Until the beginning of 20th Century, Rajasthan was cultivating Indigo and extracting the deep rich blue dye from it. The sub tropical climate of Rajasthan is favourable to Indigo cultivation. Many surviving members of the dyer community such as the Neelgar and Rangreez and block printers like the Chippa, Bhavsar and Khatri.

Achievements & Awards 

State Award (1986) for excellence in Wooden Block Printing on Bangalore Silk Scarf with natural vegetable dyes. 

National Award Winner (1991) for excellence in Wooden Block Printing on Bangalore Silk Saree with natural vegetable dyes.