Ethically and sustainably sourced recycled sari silk is our passion!
Fibre Alchemy
…where fibre becomes form
The Archetypes - Self, Persona, Shadow, Anima/Animus
Image courtesy of the artist © Rachel Theodorakis
Our brand
Ethical Sourcing & Artisan Partnerships
Fibre Alchemy sources recycled sari silk ribbon from trusted suppliers in India. The skeins and rolls are created from ‘loose ends’—the fabric remnants and threads which are collected after the production of saris in commercial mills. Once reclaimed, they are transformed by hand, where care and skill turn an otherwise waste material destined for land fill, into extraordinary fibre offering unlimited potential.
Production takes place through women’s collectives in rural India, enabling women to work within their local communities while earning an income. This approach also sustains traditional textile skills, preserving knowledge passed down through generations.
Due to the absence of established Fairtrade frameworks for silk products in India, the cooperative we work with does not yet have Fairtrade status. However, they align their practices closely with Fairtrade principles and central to their operations are transparency, ethical labour, and respect for artisans.
Our role is not only to source materials, but to engage thoughtfully, build long-term relationships, and continually refine our sourcing decisions to align with our values. We see ethical practices as an ongoing commitment and will always seek continual improvement.
I look forward to travelling to India in the future to share more of this story first-hand—observing, listening, learning, and deepening the connections that underpin every strand of Fibre Alchemy silk.
How recycled sari silk ribbon is made
The ‘loose ends’ from sari production are gathered, sorted by colour, then over-dyed, hand-torn or cut into ribbons and finally stitched and knotted together. This labour intensive process preserves the fabric’s character, allowing natural colour shifts, fraying, and texture to remain visible. You can find embroidery and even tiny jewels if you look closely. No two batches of recycled sari silk ribbon are identical.
Because the silk is recycled:
- colours vary naturally
- the over-dyed ribbon is the most consistent for width
- the origin multi colour ribbons can vary in width throughout a skein
- the sari borders tend to be much wider and thicker due to the heavy embroidery
- joins are stitched and knotted throughout the skein
- some imperfections can be expected due the recycled nature of the silk.
These qualities are intrinsic to recycled sari silk and at Fibre Alchemy, its what we love most!
Featured Products
Exclusive to Fibre Alchemy
Price is per skein (50m each)
Multiple skeins are shown to demonstrate the natural colour variations that may occur through the over dying process.
Overdyed Recycled Sari Silk
This exquisite recycled sari silk has been carefully over-dyed to create rich, layered colourways with remarkable depth and vibrancy. Originally sourced from reclaimed sari silk fibres, the material is given new life through the dyeing process, resulting in a luxurious fibre with luminous colour and beautiful textural character.
Gelato blends vibrant magenta with soft blue and violet. Touches of sage and warm golden tones appear throughout, creating a playful palette reminiscent of layered scoops of gelato.
The natural sheen of the silk enhances the colours.
Weight: 100g
Length: approx. 50 m
Needle size: 15-20mm
Gauge (knit/crochet): 7-8/3-4 sts per 5cm
Handcrafted in India
Minimum 97% Silk
Price is per skein (50m each)
Multiple skeins are shown to illustrate the beautiful variation that may occur during the dyeing process.
Overdyed Recycled Sari Silk
This exquisite recycled sari silk has been carefully over-dyed to create rich, layered colourways with remarkable depth and vibrancy. Originally sourced from reclaimed sari silk fibres, the material is given new life through the dyeing process, resulting in a luxurious fibre with luminous colour and beautiful textural character.
Ochre Horizon blends clear sky blues with soft sage greens, warm golden yellows, and gentle stone greys. The palette evokes the meeting of earth and sky, where sunlight washes across a landscape and golden tones emerge against cool atmospheric blues.
The natural sheen of the silk enhances these colours.
Weight: 100g
Length: approx. 50 m
Needle size: 15-20mm
Gauge (knit/crochet): 7-8/3-4 sts per 5cm
Handcrafted in India
Minimum 97% Silk
Available in:
10g - $20 (approximately 20 cocoons).
20g - $40 (approximately 40 cocoons).
40g - $55 (approximately 80 cocoons).
Eri silk is produced by the caterpillar of Samia cynthia ricini, native to northeast India. The name “eri” comes from the Assamese word era, meaning castor, referencing the castor leaves on which the silkworm feeds.
Each cocoon is entirely unique, varying greatly in colour, size, and form. Some feel dense and firm, while others are soft and yielding.
Versatile and intriguing to work with, eri silk cocoons invite experimentation and their potential is limited only by your imagination!
Working with the cocoons
Eri silk cocoons can be used in their raw state and gently teased apart layer by layer for textural and sculptural applications.
However, if you intend to spin the fibres, the cocoons must first be degummed. Degumming removes the natural sericin (silk gum), allowing the fibres to separate more easily and produce a smoother, more workable yarn.
Price is per bundle - each bundle contains 12 Carrier Rods.
Raw mulberry silk carrier rods are a fascinating material for textile exploration and a beautiful addition for natural history or material reference collections.
Carrier rods are a by-product of the silk spinning industry. Each rod features a lengthwise cut with most having a firm structure.
Carrier rods lend themselves to a wide range of applications, including surface texture in wet felting, sewing and appliqué, spinning, weaving.
When lightly sprinkled with water and pressed flat with an iron, the natural sericin is reactivated, bonding the fibres together to form a delicate silk paper. This fibrous surface provides an ideal base for painting, stitching, and embellishment.
Presented in their raw, natural state, the silk readily accepts dye, allowing for further transformation.
Each rod measures approximately 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) in length. Please note this is a guide only; as a natural, organic material, variations in size and form are to be expected.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our products please reach out and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!