The Process of Mat Weaving

Once harvested, the grass is cut from the fields and then taken to cut and dry them.

A knife is used to split the grass.

Cutting and further splitting the grass.

After the grass is harvested, it is sorted in to three lengths, after which it is split.

The grass is then dried on the road and stored to be used later.

Bundles of harvested and dried grass is now ready for weaving.

This is the traditional style of weaving the mat, done on a simple frame.

A flat piece of wood is used to pack it in place.

The grass is dampened to make it supple before inserting it in the weft.

Dyed or dip-dyed grass or yarns adds an ornamental touch to a product that is painstaking to produce.

The weaver on her loom weaves fabric for the grass mat. The same loom can also be used to produce traditional designs.

Weaving is also done on a four-shaft loom, where the weaver uses the pedal to change the shaft while weaving.

The cotton used in the warp may be dyed or undyed, same as the grass in the weft.

The process of dyeing of the grass is being done on the side of the road.

The grass is then stirred in the hot dye mixture.

The weft grass is inserted using a wooden piece with an eye.

The use of this type of loom makes it possible to create different patterns of weave.

An almost completed mat shows different patterns and colours.

After the weaving is completed, the weft edges are cut as part of the finishing process.

In some cases, a fabric edge is also added.

The final product.

Read more about Mat Weaving here:

- Mat Weavers of West Midnapore
- Weekly Village Market