YNW ORGANIC FAIR TRADE COTTON PROTOTYPES STAGE 2

Click 'more' to see the full range of products developed for the Yakaar Niani Wulli Federation this month. The samples are made from strips of cotton woven on traditional looms in Koussanar and the surrounding villages. The cloth is either left its natural colour or naturally dyed with indigo. I have replaced the machine embroidery used in the first set of samples with hand embroidery, using the yarn woven by hand in the villages, and the linings of the bags are now made from organic calico (imported to Senegal from France as organic calico is not yet produced locally, yet the cotton used is West African). The bags include inside zip pockets, and close either with zips, magnet fasteners, or velcro. Several have a matching removable purse inside, attached with a chain and clip. The range also includes homeware and toys.

All cloth used is certified 100% organic, and the cotton used for the hand woven cloth from the YNW Federation is also certified fair trade. A fair price is paid to villagers for spinning, weaving and dyeing. We now need to create a group of tailors to sew up the products, following paper patterns I have made. Trimmings are bought locally in Dakar and are not organic (machine thread, buckles, zips, chains, velcro, fasteners) - this is work in progress.

Small handbag with bound seams, inside purse on chain, and adjustable strap.

Pleated handbag with flap, inside zip pocket, removable purse on chain.

Small tortoise filled with dried niebe (local beans).

Large shopping bag with inside zip pocket and magnet fastening.

Pleated handbag with inside zip pocket and magnet fastening.

Square two-tone shoulder bag with removable purse and velcro fastening.

Indigo handbag with zip fastening and two hidden zip pockets.

Large shopping bag with inside zip pocket, magnet fastening and bamboo supports.

Simple purse on string with velcro fastening.

Two-tone shopping bag with patch pockets and magnet fastening. Squares motif.

Two-tone shopping bag with patch pockets and magnet fastening. Zigzag motif.

Simple washbag with zip and organic calico lining.

Handmade mini doll with embroidered clothing and bamboo jewellery.

Organic calico cushion with hand woven, hand embroidered cushion cover.

Small crocodile filled with dried niebe (local beans).

Small lizard filled with dried niebe (local beans).