One of our customer favorites, these matka silk shawls embody rustic charm, artisanal craftsmanship, and eco-friendly luxury. Each piece is handwoven in India from organic, cruelty-free Bombyx mori silk, giving a fabric with a natural matte texture and soft, earthy hand. Light and breathable, matka silk is versatile enough for both formal and casual wear, or as the perfect canvas for eco-printing and natural dyeing.

Did you know? Matka silk is spun from the leftover fibres of hatched cocoons. Traditionally, the yarn was plied and wound on a clay pot called a matka, giving this silk its name. Its high sericin content means that it absorbs natural dyes exceptionally well, producing rich, saturated colours.

Our shawls are woven exclusively for The Natural Dye Store by a fair-trade cooperative in India, where more than half of the artisans are women. Choosing this shawl means helping to preserve centuries-old weaving traditions while supporting ethical livelihoods.

Specs

• Sold by: piece (shawl)

• Material: 100% single-ply matka silk

• Weave: machine-spun warp, handspun weft, hand-tied fringes

• Sizes available:
  – XL: 70 × 200 cm (27 × 78 in)
  – XXL: 90 × 250 cm (35.4 × 98.4 in)

• Color: creamy, unbleached wild silk (linen-like but softer)

• Rearing: organic, non-violent Ahimsa silk

• Pre-treatment: pre-washed; usually free of sizing. We recommend a light wash and soaking in cold water with bran before mordanting or dyeing.

Why This Fabric
Matka silk offers the best of both worlds: the elegance of silk with the character of handspun cloth. It’s a lightweight, breathable shawl, cool in summer, warm in winter, and takes natural dyes and eco-prints with exceptional depth. Whether worn as-is, overdyed, or eco-printed, this is a piece to treasure.