design robe

Precise geometric motifs alternate with birds in an exquisite design. From talented members of Women United for Artisan Development, the cushion cover is woven by hand on a backstrap loom. Cording defines the borders, and the back is solid grey. "We love birds," the artisans confide. "This design was woven by women who live in Quiché, a forested region in western Guatemala."

Should one of the threads snag, they suggest you pull it back into place from the back of the fabric with a fine crochet hook.

Accompanied by an elephant, a young Lanna (northern Thai) woman is pensive. Baskets of flowers adorn her tranquil country environment, and a spiraling plant motif swirls upward like her thoughts. Alaya Cholprasertsuk's design depicts this beautiful scene using batik on 100% cotton. Charming and original, these cushion covers are ideal for an informal contemporary decor.

Batik is a fabric art in which the cloth is stretched on a wooden frame and the design sketched with a pencil. Then a mixture of melted wax and resin (70%/30%) is painted onto areas where color is not desired and the fabric is dipped in a solution of reactive dye, water, salt, and sodium bicarbonate. When the fabric is crumpled into the dying solution, the wax cracks, creating an attractive network of fine lines. The wax is removed and process is repeated for each color utilized. Finally, the cloth is washed and rinsed to remove any excess dye.

This pair will feature the same design, but the colors may vary slightly to those pictured, making each a unique work of art.

Indian designer Navya Khanna transforms the concept of flowers into geometric motifs in this lovely set of cotton cushion covers. Coral and navy create the motifs on a background of seafoam blue. Perfect to brighten up solid couches and chairs, the pair, they feature navy tassels adorn each corner for added luxury. The backs are a solid white. A zipper on one side of each cover opens for inserting a cushion.