Textile Travel Guide: 10 Tips to Be a Star Textile Ambassador

The time seems ripe for planning a textile travel trip, doesn’t it? Take some “time out of time” to immerse in a culture or experience that will deepen your understanding of others and expand your textile world.

Tajikistan woman spins on a spindle.

The young women of Ledalero in Flores, Indonesia charm it up.

Warmis Phuskadoras of Bolivia prepping for Spinzilla spinning competition.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a keen interest in textile-related cultural tourism. We are often asked our advice on where to travel and what tours to take. There’s no better way to learn about techniques and traditions of local artisans, than through an authentic in-person experience. At the same time, a lack of awareness about basic travel etiquette can defeat the best of intentions to support and celebrate textile artists. So we’ve created a guide to help you along the way– Be a Star Textile Ambassador: How to Travel Sensitively and Sensibly in Textile Cultures provides guidelines for travelers who want to experience the textile world while also contributing to a sustainable future for artisans everywhere.

The next generation of kalamkari painter in India.

The steps of indigo dyeing in Flores, Indonesia.

An early evening offering at Threads of Life in Ubud, Indonesia.

Travel Tips from Experts
This new resource guide gives best practices for travelers who want to learn to consciously and ethically visit the textile world and understand the stories behind these rich and time-honored traditions. We asked friends, specialists, and guides to impart their words of road wisdom and now offer you this handbook for traveling with confidence. It includes top ten tips to help you as you journey down the textile path, including how to be patient and present, how to be a good guest, how to properly photograph people, and how to bargain and be money smart.

Be a Star Textile Traveler: How to Travel Sensitively and Sensibly in Textile Cultures

Eric Mindling in the midst of photo session in Chiapas.

Marilyn Murphy with the “maguey man”at the Chichi market in Guatemala.

Linda Stark and Marilyn Murphy of ClothRoads show off their indigo clamped towels.

Be a Star Textile Ambassador: How to Travel Sensitively and Sensibly in Textile Cultures is now available for download on the ClothRoads website. Plus, we can jump start your travel plans with a well-vetted list of travel resources. Visit Textile Travel in the Resource section on our website.

Benefits of Being a ClothRoads Subscriber
If you already subscribe to our newsletter, just click this link and download the Be a Star Textile Ambassador: How to Travel Sensitively and Sensibly in Textile Cultures guide immediately. If you’re new to ClothRoads, click this link to add your name to our email list; you’ll be prompted for next steps to download this free guide.

As a subscriber, you’ll receive our monthly calendar of global textile events, a curated collection of exhibits, classes, and lectures. You’ll also receive a weekly information blog where we go behind-the-scenes at cooperatives, interview artisans and how they make their heritage textiles, and offer cultural and historical surveys on fibers, natural dyes, textiles, and more. Plus you get to preview what ClothRoads has recently added to its shop.

Greetings by ikat-clad horsemen on Savu.

Moroccan women buying thread at market.

All made up and ready to party–flowers, beads, and dress.

One Final Ask and a Big Thank You
Will you help us in elevating the artisan sector? Please share this email with your textile friends and groups, but respect our copyright and don’t print this for distribution. Ask them to subscribe to the ClothRoads newsletter so they can download the guide too. We can all do our part in the sustainability of these traditions through the sharing of artisan stories, through the purchase of high-quality artisanal products, and through the continued education of the artisan’s heritage techniques. We and the artisans can’t thank you enough.

We look forward to meeting you along the cloth road.