How To Treat Your Child To Unique, Limited Edition Children

By Clinton Arnhold


People are discovering that the state of children's clothing in Northern California that is sold on the common market has become quite dismal. These products are of poor quality materials that shrink and fade color over everything in the washer. The mere fact that the seams are so loosely sewn that they easily pull apart is enough to make one wary of these mediocre apparel brands.

Thankfully, there are responsible companies in the region who are producing quality products worth consideration. Some of the qualities that make them so great are:

- Kids love the feel of fine quality, hand-loomed cotton in cute hand-block prints. Parents like that the products are ethically manufactured by skilled artisans using top rate natural dyes.

- Stylish but casual children's clothing wears well and lasts a long time, and can become cherished hand-me-downs for younger children

- They are designed with original prints, available in either muted or vibrant hues.

- Heritage textiles that have naturally hypoallergenic qualities are used for these handmade apparel items. Natural cottons, fine silks, and top wool, worked by skilled artisans, are some of the materials utilized in their construction.

One such amazing heritage textile known as Kalamkari, has been in existence since the 13th century, originating in India. This is a complex process where a special pen, known as a kalam, is used in a fabric decorating craft that involves seventeen separate steps. Today, in Andhra Pradesh, a southeastern state, where weavers and artisans have shared their craft through many generations, this material is still manufactured.

The all natural dyes used in these clothes are created using plant stems, flowers, bark, leaves, minerals and choice metals. Each article of apparel is washed as many as 20 times after dying, before the fabric is deemed steadfast and ready for sale.

- hand-block printing, which has been used in India for more than 250 years, is used to create the designs on some of the clothes. It is a process where an image is transferred to special blocks, one for each distinct color, giving the impression of a relief carving. The wooden applicators are firmly pressed to the cloth by hand in a process that is both slow and quite labor intensive, to create the artistic patterns.

- What could be nicer than t-shirts that are 100% fair trade and certified organic? Organic cotton uses no pesticides or synthetic fertilizer while it is grown, and GMO (genetically modified seeds) are ever used. All weeds are removed by hand during the growing process, and a fine balance between insects and their natural predators is maintained by using only healthy soil.

Fair trade, as defined by The World Trade Organization, is a partnership that has its basis in transparency, dialog, and respect, that aims to create more equality in international trading practices. The buyers agree to pay an acceptable price that provides the cotton producers and artisans a sustainable livelihood. Consumers who purchase these products get fine quality while doing their part to support social change.

Quality clothes for children are readily available.




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