Popcorn Textile

Hand crafted three-dimensional cotton textiles from waste fabric. Small spiral tubes of knitted fabric are stitched onto a woven base cloth, creating a vertical pile with a tufted effect. The textured surface is comprised of cotton fabric scrap from textile factories, creating new products from waste materials. The finished product is highly dye-fast and compatible with machine washing. The scrap fabrics are boiled to remove dirt and chemical impurities then dyed with azo-free dyestuff to the desired color. The dying is intentionally non-uniform and due to the variety of textiles incorporated the degree of dye pick-up is also irregular, creating unique patterns of color density and color absence. The textile is cut into strips, which due to the knit construction curl into spiral tubes, and sewn onto the base fabric. Local village women in northern Thailand do the dying and stitching. The textile varies in thickness, but remains at an average pile depth of 1.5 cm (0.59 in), the width, length and shape of the final product are fully customizable. Additionally, color and design can be customized with specific dye colors, and with multi-color patterning. Applications include home décor, carpets, pillowcases, upholstery, and apparel.