Cushion Cover · Hmong Hill Tribe · Indigo

Handwoven cushion cover, skilfully crafted on a backstrap loom by Hmong women in northern Laos. This striking piece, made of locally grown, hand-processed hemp, captivates with its scattered triangle motifs that dance across a rich indigo ground, the subtle variations in the resist-dye technique adding depth and organic movement to the pattern. Each triangle, rendered through traditional wax-resist methods, represents a modern interpretation of complex ancestral designs, creating a visual rhythm that bridges heritage aesthetics with contemporary sensibility.

The Craft. This cushion cover showcases the extraordinary artistry and patience required in hemp textile production, where transforming raw hemp into weavable fibre demands weeks of dedicated labour. The fibre must be softened through repeated beating and rolling before being carefully hand-spun into thread. Individual narrow panels are woven on backstrap looms, then meticulously hand-sewn together to create the larger piece. The triangle pattern emerges through a resist-wax technique, where wax is applied before dyeing to preserve areas of lighter colour. The natural indigo dye creates subtle variations in tone throughout, with each piece reflecting the weaver's skilled hands translating ancient symbols into contemporary forms.

The Heritage. The Hmong people are among the most renowned textile artists of Southeast Asia's hill tribe communities, maintaining intricate craft traditions passed down through generations in mountain villages. Hemp textiles hold particular significance in Hmong culture, prised for their durability and the intensive skill required in their creation. The triangle motifs draw inspiration from the natural world, often symbolising the mountains and highlands that have been Hmong homeland for centuries. These geometric patterns connect contemporary makers to countless generations of their ancestors who encoded cultural knowledge and spiritual meaning into every woven piece.

The Maker. Rachna Sachasinh formed Tikkiwallah to provide independent artisans in Thailand and Laos with a digital market dedicated to artistic collaborations that prioritise traditional fibres, heritage skills, and modern design. Inspired by deep cultural traditions, sustainable agriculture and the rhythms of rural life, Tikkiwallah works with the ethnic communities of Karin, Tai Lue, Hmong, Khummu, Tai Daeng, Akha, and Mlabri, to create small batch products, with minimal intervention.