Textile Tour, India, 2026

I left India after a month with truly a new appreciation of the people, the culture and the rich textile heritage that is integral to the country as a whole....The love and knowledge of textiles seems to be woven into souls of the Indian people....I heard artisans talk about the emotion, the journey , the history and the story , in relation to often ancient techniques of the fabrics they create.. All regional, and particular to each area we travelled thru..and each one sensational..
What an exceptionally curated experience Polly, Param and Ravi put together for
twelve enthusiastic travelers..
We were exposed to such variety and diversity.. from high level designers who fairly employ gifted artisans from far and wide, to family run dyers, to brothers carving tamarind print blocks, to collectives training and employing women in textile arts, to a master weaver in a small room with a dirt floor in a little village who was creating woven masterpieces... A studio which trained and employed Afghan Women refugees who crafted charming and beautifully made dolls...Indigo dyers on both a small and large scale,..Emerging artists...A small company which recycled silk and cotton saris into lovely dresses and scarves,, Forward thinking and entrepreneurial young business people, juxtaposed with families running centuries old enterprises....And that's a tiny representation of who we met and observed working...
And invariably, while chatting and learning and shopping we'd have delicious chai masala, and perhaps exquisite cumin cookies!
We visited beautiful temples, including one where they feed 100,000 people a day!, ancient stepwells, a kite flyer from Rajasthan, and a family who crafted lovely bells...including ones customized of such a particular tone that the sheep herder could recognize his flock from that alone.. Some extraordinary museum visits.. A jewelry workshop, museum and store making exquisite earrings and rings and necklaces out of precious and semi precious stones..and so much more..
Trying my hand at indigo dyeing and block printing and embroidery was so much challenging fun, and gave me a better understanding of that particular technique..
We stayed for the most part in palatial hotels, and ate fabulous food for every meal...I felt safe and cared for at all times...We travelled very comfortably and safely by bus, train and plane, with the occasional wild tuktuk adventure..
Polly's knowledge and expertise , the connections she's created and the respect earned, meant we were privileged to go places, meet people and be exposed to such an array of collections and techniques that it was beyond what I dreamt it might be...
Param was wonderfully knowledgable as he introduced us to the historical and social aspects of every new region we travelled through.
Mr Don was ever present as he found parking spots, ensured seats at restaurants, helped us cross busy roads and supplied us with snacks at all times...
Having twelve interesting and accomplished traveling companions meant there was always someone to chat with on the bus rides to our next destination, ( or knit, embroider, read, or sleep!)
I've probably gone on long enough, and I feel like I barely scratched the surface ....But seriously, anyone dreaming of this special Selvedge Tour...don't hesitate..go, you'll be so so happy you did!..

The Selvedge tour had long been a dream of mine. However, the full trip was not compatible with my work commitments, so I decided to join Part 1 (Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat). It was a unique experience that allowed me to deepen my textile knowledge and greatly expanded my already profound admiration for textile craftsmanship. I particularly valued the exchanges with the artisans, the visits to their workshops, the opportunity to try things with my own hands, and experiencing how complex textile craftsmanship truly is. The journey has broadened my horizons and I am deeply grateful for this unique experience and all the passionate textile enthusiasts I had the privilege of meeting. Heartfelt thanks to Polly, Param and Ravi and the Selvedge team.

I have had my eye on the selvedge textile tour for some time, and 2026 was the year that I took the leap and booked up for part one (Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Mumbai). I am so glad that I did! For a self confessed textile addict, this is truly a dream trip. The pace is fast and the fabulous experiences just keep on coming, day after day. The tour is a result of more than a decade of Polly’s research and exploration of the textiles of India, and her deep connection to the country and its artisans. As a result, this is not just a romp through various shops and suppliers of textile goods, but an in depth tour that builds on long held personal relationships and that gives a deep insight local traditions and specialist craft practices. We covered many miles by various modes of transport, visiting museums, design ateliers, galleries, artist studios, rural communities and antique sellers, We saw artists at work and tried our hands at printing, embroidery, dyeing and spinning. We learned so much about the country, the craft and the people of India, as well as learning from (and relishing the company of) our fellow travellers. Oh, and we shopped! Oh, boy did we shop!! If you are thinking of signing up to experience all of this for yourself, pack a sense of curiousity and fun, lots of energy and a big empty bag to bring all your textile treasures home. You won’t regret it1

Although my roots are in India, I nevertheless decided to explore Indian textiles with Selvedge and I was not disappointed! We explored an endless variety of exquisite textiles with master artisans and met with young designers who are reimagining traditional crafts in creative ways. Textiles are not merely pieces of fabric but tell the story of a history, place, and way of life. I was inspired and deeply moved by all that I saw. And I would be remiss not to give a shoutout to the most friendly, curious, and energetic travel companions! Thank you for your friendship and teaching me so much! And thank you Polly, Param, Ravi and the Selvedge Team.

Returning to India for the second year with Selvedge has been an extraordinary experience. Once again the journey was filled with fantastic encounters, human connections and inspiring textile explorations with designers, artisans and craft persons all committed to creating beautiful products while supporting and ancestral, hand made production chain rooted in local materials. The land of Gujarat and its villages left my eyes full of beauty. Every pleace, every workshop, every person we met added depth and emotion to the journey. Thanks to the impeccable organization of the Selvedge team and to a wondelfu group of fellow travellers tis trip bacame truly unforgettable