Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth.
On my trip to Ahmadabad last month, I visited Sabarmati Ashram where I got to see how to make thread out of cotton through a Charkha.
When the magistrate asked Gandhi ji on his arrest what his occupation was
Gandhi ji said : ” I am a spinner, weaver and farmer. “
Gandhi ji wanted to revive hand-weaving .
He came in direct contact with the weavers and collected
firsthand information about handlooms.
He chose Ahmedabad for settling up his first ashram in India,
because it was the centre of the handloom industry.
He installed handlooms in the Sabarmati Ashram.
All the inmates of the ashram observed the vow of swadeshi.
They used cloth made only on their own handlooms.
The motto was
” weave what you require or do without it”.
Nowadays, there is no installation of Loom inside the ashram apart from a Spinning Wheel on which a lady will teach you how to make a thread out of cotton.
The Sabarmati Ashram is more like a museum of the life of Mahatama Gandhi.
But, just across the road, you will find a small cottage with some Weavers doing their job.
Cloth is usually woven on a loom, a device that holds the warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them.
You could buy fabric from that Cottage, just like I did 🙂
The Weaver, I met was making a Cotton Towel that day.
You can see in the pictures below.
You can visit this link to see how it works : Weaving on Loom
Sabarmati Ashram Preservation & Memorial Trust
Gandhi Ashram, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India – 380 027
+91.79.2755.7277
+91.79.2756.0569
8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
mahatma@gandhiashramsabarmati.org
You should also visit Khadi stores nearby and explore the Handloom of India.