Threads of Life: Conserving Indonesia's Textile Heritage
Threads of Life is a fair trade business that works with culture and conservation to alleviate poverty in rural Indonesia. The heirloom-quality textiles and baskets we commission are made with local materials and natural dyes to an exquisite standard usually seen only in museums. We work directly with over 1,000 women on 10 islands across Indonesia, helping weavers to form independent cooperatives, to recover the skills of their ancestors, to manage their resources sustainably, and to express their culture identity while building their financial security.
Mud Dye Weekend by Threads of Life in Ubud, Bali, 2020
A 3-day workshop making and applying mud dyes in an easy-to-use surface design process — limited to 10 people
Get down and dirty with this low-tech, high-fun mud dye weekend! Explore the preparing of mud and fibre for the mud dye process before unleashing your creativity into this earthy and easy surface design process.
Sign up: threadsoflife.com/workshops
Across Indonesia, many traditional languages do not differentiate between blue and black, which are considered shades of the same colour. When indigo is not available mud dyeing can be substituted, as it is in some regions of Timor. Elsewhere, for example on the Morilotong textiles of Sulawesi, mud dye is remembered as older than indigo dyeing. In all cases the underlying method is the same: tannin-rich plants are used to treat the fibre before immersion in fermented iron-rich mud, with the resulting iron-tannate being a colorfast black.
Although Indonesia’s traditional weavers mud dye yarn, a surface design can be achieved by applying the technique to finished cloth, dyeing the whole piece in the tannin and then painting the mud over it to create a design. Using different plant tannins to get shades from beige to rust, and different concentrations of mud to get over-dyes from grey to black, a multitude of creative opportunities emerge. As tannin sources we will use bark extract of Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora apiculata from a responsibly managed forest that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and dried flowers of cultivated Woodfordia floribunda, all of which will be for sale at the end of the weekend.
Central to Threads of Life’s work with over 1000 weavers on 12 islands across Indonesia has been 15 years of field research studying, documenting, testing, and teaching the archipelago’s natural dye traditions. We are now bringing this experience to an international audience by teaching one- and two-week small-group workshops on fiber arts with natural dyes at our natural dye studio and botanical garden in Ubud, Bali.
Botanical Dyes Weekend by Threads of Life in Ubud, Bali 2020
A 4-day workshop exploring Indonesia’s natural dye traditions — limited to 10 people
Over the course of 4 days in the dye studio participants will:
• Harvest indigo leaves and make indigo past, prepare an indigo vat,
• indigo dye cotton fabric and yarn samples,
• maintain an indigo vat;
• Make and use a brown tannin dye vat using Ceriops tagal extract;
• Prepare Morinda citrifolia roots,
• mordant and dye cotton yarn with Morinda red;
• Learn proper scouring (pre-washing) and finishing (post-washing) practices;
• Create a personal natural dye project with the option of surface design techniques such as batik, shibori, and mud painting for which introductory instruction will be provided.
Firebrand Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Botanical Colours Workshop by Threads of Life in Ubud, Bali in 2020
A 5-day workshop charting Indonesia’s diverse natural dye techniques — limited to 10 people
Over the course of 5 days in the dye studio participants will:
• Harvest indigo leaves and make indigo past, prepare an indigo vat,
• indigo dye cotton fabric and yarn samples,
• maintain an indigo vat;
• Make and use a brown tannin dye vat using Ceriops tagal extract;
• Prepare mud for mud dyeing,
• mud dye on cotton fabric;
• Prepare Morinda citrifolia roots,
• mordant and dye cotton yarn with Morinda red;
• Learn proper scouring (pre-washing) and finishing (post-washing) practices;
• Create a personal natural dye project with the option of surface design techniques such as batik, shibori, and mud painting for which introductory instruction will be provided.
Sign up: threadsoflife.com/workshops
Accralate Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Tour of the Dye Garden at Threads of Life Bali
The Threads of Life natural dye studio and the dye plant garden is located in the grounds of Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali. The dye garden is both a collection of over a hundred dye plant species and a source of plant material for the studio experimental work. Join Jean for a walk through the garden and some fascinating facts about Indonesia's dye traditions.
The studio is used for research, teaching and production dyeing. Studio dyers research traditional dye recipes by performing controlled variations of traditional dye recipes from across the archipelago to understand the functions of different plants on the dye processes and to address problems partner communities may be having with their dye colours. Studio teachers work both with indigenous dyers in the field, and offer half-day and weeklong workshops to the public at the studio. Production dyeing is also performed for our commercial customers to create markets for natural dyes sourced from our partner communities.
Our 2019 Highlights in the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio in Ubud, Bali
A quick look back at some of our favorite moments in our newly-expanded studio, including the launch of our Farmer to Fabric Range, Aboubakar Fofana back in the studio with the team, and our new mud dye workshop!
Central to Threads of Life’s work with over 1000 weavers on 12 islands across Indonesia has been 15 years of field research studying, documenting, testing, and teaching the archipelago’s natural dye traditions. We are now bringing this experience to an international audience by teaching one- and two-week small-group workshops on fiber arts with natural dyes at our natural dye studio and botanical garden in Ubud, Bali.
Firebrand Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Weft Ikat Weaving Workshop in Ubud, Bali, 2020
During 5 days of studio time, make a small, weft ikat patterned, natural dye cloth using a traditional backstrap loom that has been modified to accommodate sitting in a chair rather than on the floor. Though the more ancient tradition is warp ikat, weft ikat is employed so that dyeing and loom preparation can be learned in parallel, and all steps in the process can be practiced in a week. Limited to 6 participants.
threadsoflife.com/workshops
Central to Threads of Life’s work with over 1000 weavers on 12 islands across Indonesia has been 15 years of field research studying, documenting, testing, and teaching the archipelago’s natural dye traditions. We are now bringing this experience to an international audience by teaching one- and two-week small-group workshops on fiber arts with natural dyes at our natural dye studio and botanical garden in Ubud, Bali.
Accralate Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
The Creative Process of Javanese Batik Workshop in Ubud, Bali 2020
A 5-day artists retreat exploring creativity through Javanese Batik — limited to 10 people
Through 30 years of artistic practice, tradition keepers Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam have explored the traditional collaborative creative processes of Javanese batik, and developed a way of sharing this profound cultural experience to inspire artists from beyond the batik tradition. This workshop attracts artists from many media and traditions, both those for whom this is their first batik experience and those familiar with batik. Those new to batik will encounter a tradition rich in artistic insight that offers new perspectives on their own practices. Those practicing batik will gain deep access to the cultural and spiritual roots of their art form.
Sign up: threadsoflife.com/workshops
Central to Threads of Life’s work with over 1000 weavers on 12 islands across Indonesia has been 15 years of field research studying, documenting, testing, and teaching the archipelago’s natural dye traditions. We are now bringing this experience to an international audience by teaching one- and two-week small-group workshops on fiber arts with natural dyes at our natural dye studio and botanical garden in Ubud, Bali.
Nature's Colours Workshop 2019
A 7-day workshop exploring Indonesia’s natural dye traditions with Threads of Life — limited to 10 people
Over the course of 5 days in the dye studio participants will: prepare an indigo vat; dye cotton swatches and yarn samples using Indonesia’s traditional natural dyes; learn batik, pressure-resist patterning, and yarn dyeing with natural dyes; and create a personal natural dye project.
Learn more at threadsoflife.com
For four millennia the textile arts of Indonesia have articulated an intimate and harmonious relationship with the earth. Through the plant-sourced dyes and the symbolic potency of the colours created, the archipelago’s indigenous peoples have literally wrapped themselves in their stories of this relationship. After fifteen years of field research and studio practice, the Threads of Life’s staff dyers are offering a 5-day workshop exploring the making, meaning and application of these colours through the practices of batik, yarn and swatch dyeing. Hosted at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio on the grounds of the Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali, the program offers both residential and non-residential options.
Participants will:
• prepare and dye cotton swatches and yarn samples using Indonesia’s traditional natural dyes, principally blue from Indigofera tinctoria and Strobilanthes cusia, brown from Ceriops tagal, black from mud dyeing, and red from Morinda citrifolia
• prepare cloth and yarns for dyeing
• learn batik using canting (wax pen), cap (stamp), and brush with natural dyes
• create a personal cotton scarf batik project (materials provided)
• learn and practice yarn dyeing with natural colours on cotton (materials provided).
Original Colours Natural Dye Workshop 2019
Exploring Indonesia’s natural dye traditions – limited to 8 people
During 3 days of studio time immediately prior to the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, explore the traditional art of batik and the use of indigenous dyes of the Indonesian archipelago through hands-on exercises and a personal creative project. For beginners to advanced practitioners alike. Sign up at threadsoflife.com.
For four millennia the textile arts of Indonesia have articulated an intimate and harmonious relationship with the earth. Through the plant-sourced dyes and the symbolic potency of the colours created, the archipelago’s indigenous peoples have literally wrapped themselves in their stories of this relationship. After fifteen years of field research and studio practice, the Threads of Life’s staff dyers are offering a 5-day workshop with 3 days of studio time exploring the making, meaning and application of these colours through the practices of batik, yarn and swatch dyeing, and arasi shibori. Hosted at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio on the grounds of the Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali, the program offers both residential and non-residential options.
This workshop offers 3 days of studio time, exploring the traditional art of batik and the indigenous dyes of the Indonesian archipelago. Designed as both an introduction for beginners or an extended practice for established practitioners, the workshop will build towards a personal creative batik and natural dye project on the third day. It will start with a day of hands-on work creating shades of colour with indigenous natural dyes harvested from the dye garden, before the second day focusses on developing batik skills through a series of simple exercises using canting (wax pen), cap (stamp) and brush; these two days establish the foundation for the third day of personal creative exploration.
The Living Blue—A 14-day indigo workshop in Bali with Aboubakar Fofana
A 14-day indigo fermentation residential workshop combing the colour and wisdom f Mali and Indonesia for a unique small-group intensive experience at the Threads of Life dye studio and Botanical Garden in Umajati Retreat, Ubud, Bali. Open to beginners and experienced practitioners.
Date: February 25 - March 10, 2018
Sign up: threadsoflife.com/workshops
Aboubakar Fofana describes an indigo vat as “a living organism” of plant materials, fermentation and colour, and is recognised as one of the world's foremost practitioners of fermented indigo vat dyeing and mineral mud-dye techniques. This intensive 12-day workshop focusses on Aboubakar's speciality, the fermented West African indigo dye-vat, made using whole indigo leaves and fermented over a week to produce a dye of unmatchable colour and fastness. Whilst participants wait for the fermented dye-vat to reach maturity, they will learn how to prepare and use powdered fructose (quick vat) indigo, mineral mud-dye, and tannin dyeing.
The Sweet Blue—A 6-day fructose vat indigo workshop with Aboubakar Fofana
A 6-day fructose indigo residential workshop combining the colour and wisdom of Mali and Indonesia for a unique small-group intensive experience at the Threads of Life dye studio and Botanical Garden in Umajati Retreat, Ubud Bali. Open to beginners and advanced practitioners.
Date: 11 — 16 March, 2017
Sign up: threadsoflife.com/workshops
Indigo is Aboubakar Fofana's particular passion and he has a vast store of knowledge on its provenance, usage, and practical applications. This 4-day workshop focuses on the use of powdered indigo and setting up a fructose vat using entirely non-synthetic and environmentally (and skin!) friendly techniques. Unlike indigo leaves, powdered indigo is quite easy to source, and the fructose vat is relatively straightforward to put together and to use. The workshop explains the chemistry of indigo, principles of setting up and caring for a fructose vat, as well as choice and preparation of the textiles to be dyed.
Original Colours—A 5-day workshop on Indonesia’s natural dye traditions
A 5-day workshop on Indonesia’s natural dye traditions—limited to 8 people.
Saturday 21 October - Wednesday 25 October, 2017
Explore the making, meaning and application of Indonesia’s traditional textile arts through natural dyes, swatch dyeing, and a personal batik project.
This workshop offers 3 days of studio time, exploring the traditional art of batik and the indigenous dyes of the Indonesian archipelago. Designed as both an introduction for beginners or an extended practice for established practitioners, the workshop will build towards a personal creative batik and natural dye project on the third day. It will start with a day of hands-on work creating shades of colour with indigenous natural dyes harvested from the dye garden, before the second day focusses on developing batik skills through a series of simple exercises using canting (wax pen), cap (stamp) and brush; these two days establish the foundation for the third day of personal creative exploration.
For four millennia the textile arts of Indonesia have articulated an intimate and harmonious relationship with the earth. Through the plant-sourced dyes and the symbolic potency of the colours created, the archipelago’s indigenous peoples have literally wrapped themselves in their stories of this relationship. After fifteen years of field research and studio practice, the Threads of Life’s staff dyers are offering a 5-day workshop exploring the making, meaning and application of these colours through the practices of batik, yarn and swatch dyeing, and arasi. Hosted at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio on the grounds of the Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali, the program offers both residential and non-residential options.
Sign up here: bit.ly/OriginalColours177
For more Threads of Life Workshops, visit:
Music:
Dewdrop Fantasy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Nature's Colour Workshop – a 7-day workshop exploring Indonesia’s natural dye traditions
Date: 10 - 15 June 2018
Sign up: bit.ly/tol2018
For four millennia the textile arts of Indonesia have articulated an intimate and harmonious relationship with the earth. Through the plant-sourced dyes and the symbolic potency of the colours created, the archipelago’s indigenous peoples have literally wrapped themselves in their stories of this relationship. After fifteen years of field research and studio practice, the Threads of Life’s staff dyers are offering a weeklong workshop exploring the making, meaning and application of these colours through the practices of batik, yarn and swatch dyeing, and arasi. Hosted at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio on the grounds of the Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali, the program offers both residential and non-residential options.
Nature's Colour Workshop—7 days of exploring Indonesia's dye traditions
For four millennia the textile arts of Indonesia have articulated an intimate and harmonious relationship with the earth. Through the plant-sourced dyes and the symbolic potency of the colours created, the archipelago’s indigenous peoples have literally wrapped themselves in their stories of this relationship. After fifteen years of field research and studio practice, the Threads of Life’s staff dyers are offering a weeklong workshop exploring the making, meaning and application of these colours through the practices of batik, yarn and swatch dyeing, and arasi. Hosted at the Threads of Life Natural Dye Studio on the grounds of the Umajati Retreat in Ubud, Bali, the program offers both residential and non-residential options.
Sign up: bit.ly/NaturesColour171
The hidden struggle of refugees in Indonesia | Abdullah Sarwari | TEDxUbud
What happens when a young refugee is denied access to education? He co-founds a school so he and his community can continue to learn.
Abdullah Sarwari's parents are from Afghanistan but he was born in Pakistan and raised in Iran. Four and a half years ago, Abdullah and his family came to Indonesia to seek safety as refugees.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, the then 16-year-old Abdullah realized as refugees, they were not allowed to work or study in Indonesia, meaning he could not complete his studies. In response to this, he and four friends co-founded an informal refugee school—the Refugee Learning Center. Over the last four years, the school has provided free education to over 300 refugee children, men, and women.
Recently, he was selected out of 300 other candidates to work with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in Indonesia which was a dream come true for Abdullah. He and his family also signed their resettlement papers and now call Canada home. Abdullah Sarwari's parents are from Afghanistan but he was born in Pakistan and raised in Iran. Four and a half years ago, Abdullah and his family came to Indonesia to seek safety as refugees.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, the then 16-year-old Abdullah realized as refugees, they were not allowed to work or study in Indonesia, meaning he could not complete his studies. In response to this, he and four friends co-founded an informal refugee school—the Refugee Learning Center. Over the last four years, the school has provided free education to over 300 refugee children, men and women.
Recently, he was selected out of 300 other candidates to work with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in Indonesia which is a dream come true for Abdullah. He and his family have also signed their resettlement papers which means soon they will be calling Canada home. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
Behind Being: Indonesian art & culture, rooted in community
Behind Being is a 20 minute documentary that journeys deep into Bali and Java, Indonesia, from the perspective of a US-based filmmaker with interest in exploring the underlying wisdom of traditional culture.
Produced by 7G Creative
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Music featured:
Bitwise + Madek from the album Gamelan Re-Imaginings Vol. 1:
Ken Shorley Breathing + Return from the album Atmospheres:
John Thompson Ancestral Roots Theme:
Organizations featured in the film:
Threads of Life - fair-trade business in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia:
Brahma Tirta Sari - Batik studio in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia:
Johja Hip-hop Foundation - hip-hop crew in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia:
Ida Bagus Anom - Master mask-maker in Mas, Bali, Indonesia
©7G Creative. Do not distribute or re-upload, thank you.
Weft Ikat Weaving Workshop 2019
During 5 days at the studio in Ubud, Bali, make a small, weft ikat patterned, natural dye cloth using a traditional backstrap loom that has been modified to accommodate sitting in a chair rather than on the floor. Though the more ancient tradition is warp ikat, weft ikat is employed so that dyeing and loom preparation can be learned in parallel, and all steps in the process can be practiced in a week. Limited to 6 participants. Sign up at threadsoflife.com
The ikat, backstrap loom weaving and natural dye traditions of the Indonesian archipelago date back over 4500 years, and are continued to this day by indigenous weavers for whom the manifestation of ancestral knowledge is the highest form of artistic and spiritual expression. The Weft Ikat Weaving Workshop offers a brief immersion into this world, during which participants will spend 5 days making a small, weft ikat patterned, natural dye cloth using a traditional backstrap loom that has been modified to accommodate sitting in a chair rather than on the floor. Though the more ancient tradition is warp ikat, weft ikat is employed so that dyeing and loom preparation can be learned in parallel, and all steps in the process can be practiced in a week.
Participants will:
• create a weft ikat design and warp a backstrap loom
• dye their weft ikat work with indigo blue, tannin browns and Morinda red dyes
• weave their weft ikat textile, with each participant on their own loom.
Kunjungi 5 Tempat Wisata Gratis di Ubud saat Liburan Akhir Pekan
TRIBUNTRAVEL.COM - Rekomendasi tempat wisata di Ubud, Bali yang cocok dikunjungi selama liburan akhir pekan.
Ada beragam tempat wisata di Ubud yang hingga kini sangat populer karena memiliki daya tarik tersendiri.
Selama liburan akhir pekan, tempat wisata di Ubud ini bahkan tidak pernah sepi pengunjung.
Selain menyuguhkan pemandangan yang sangat menawan, tempat wisata di Ubud juga memiliki banyak spot foto instagramable.
Melansir dari berbagai sumber, berikut deretan tempat wisata di Ubud yang bisa kamu kunjungi saat liburan akhir pekan.
1. Puri Saren
Puri Saren merupakan tempat wisata bersejarah berupa istana kerajaan yang bisa kamu kunjungi secara gratis.
Lokasi Puri Saren berada di pusat Kota Ubud, tepatnya di seberang Pasar Seni Ubud, Bali.
Terdapat patung-patung yang berdiri kokoh dan siap menyambut wisatawan setelah melewati pintu masuk Puri Saren.
Setiap pintu di Puri Saren terbuat dari kayu yang diukir sangat indah dan diberi warna keemasan.
Puri Saren adalah bangunan bersejarah yang hingga kini masih menyimpan koleksi benda-benda bernilai seni tinggi.
Kamu bisa liburan ke Puri Saren sambil melihat koleksi peninggalan kerajaan yang disimpan dengan rapi.
2. Threads of Life
Threads of Life merupakan sebuah tempat produksi tekstil khas Bali dan Indonesia Timur yang bisa jadi pilihan untuk menghabiskan waktu liburan akhir pekan.
Threads of Life berlokasi di Jalan Kajeng nomor 24, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali.
Kamu akan menemukan berbagai kain tenun tradisional yang sangat langka di Threads of Life.
Seluruh tekstil dan artefak di Threads of Life telah disesuaikan dengan standar museum.
Selain sebagai tempat wisata, Threads of Life juga dijadikan sebagai mata pencaharian dengan menjual karya kain tenun tersebut.
Jika ingin berkunjung ke Threads of Life kamu tidak akan dikenakan biaya tiket masuk.
Kamu bisa datang dengan berjalan kaki dari area Pura Taman Saraswati Ubud.
3. Terasering Tegalalang
Terasering Tegalalang merupakan tempat wisata yang memiliki objek menarik.
Terasering Tegalalang berlokasi di Jalan Raya Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali.
Kamu bisa datang ketika cuaca cerah di pagi dan sore hari jika ingin mengambil foto dengan pencahayaan terbaik.
Terasering Tegalalang menjadi tempat wisata yang paling sering dikunjungi oleh wisatawan.
Selain menyuguhkan pesona menarik dari sawah yang berbentuk terasering, tidak ada biaya tiket masuk ketika berkunjung ke Terasering Tegalalang.
Namun wisatawan akan dikenakan biaya parkir kendaraan mulai Rp 2 ribuan.
4. Bukit Campuhan
Lokasi Bukit Campuhan berada di Jalan Bangkiang Sidem, Kelusa, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali.
Bukit Campuhan adalah tempat wisata gratis di Ubud yang bisa kamu kunjungi selama liburan akhir pekan.
Warga setempat menjuluki Bukit Campuhan sebagai bukit cinta.
Kawasan Bukit Campuhan sangat cocok sekali untuk melakukan aktivitas seperti jogging, jalan santai, hingga selfie.
Ada banyak tempat peristirahatan di Bukit Campuhan yang bisa kamu kunjungi secara gratis sambil menikmati udara segar di area tersebut.
5. Pasar Seni
Lokasi Pasar Seni berada di Ubud, Gianyar, Bali.
Pasar Seni menjadi tempat wisata favorit karena tidak ada biaya tiket masuk.
Kamu bisa melihat berbagai produk menarik khas Bali sekaligus berbelanja.
Pasar Seni menjual aneka produk dengan harga murah meriah yang bisa kamu bawa pulang untuk oleh-oleh.
Untuk mendapatkan barang kualitas baik dengan harga murah di Pasar Seni, kamu harus pandai menawar harga.
(TribunTravel.com/ Nurul Intaniar)
Editor: Ambar Purwaningrum
Sumber: Tribun Travel
Weaving a new approach to poverty alleviation: William Ingram at TEDxUbud
William Ingram helps hundreds of weavers who live in remote villages turn textiles, crafts, and other expressions of their local cultures into badly needed income.
William is the co-founder of Threads of Life, a fair trade business based in Bali, and co-director of its sister organization, the Bebali Foundation. He will share insights he has gained from 15 years of work with traditional weavers in remote communities across Indonesia. He started out to create a model of how a profitable business can have a social mission, and now works with over 1,000 weavers and their families in 36 cooperatives on 11 islands.
Born in the UK and trained as a mathematician, William has lived most of his life in Asia, first in Japan, now in Indonesia. He is the author of the book A Little Bit One O'clock: Living with a Balinese Family.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.