This group consists of about 10 women from the Karen hill tribe who weave at home using backstrap looms.

The Karen tribe is well-known for its skillful techniques in naturally dyeing and hand weaving cotton fabrics. They use all natural materials, usually different kinds of bark and leaves, sometimes even mud, to create a variety of natural colors.

Some products may use small amounts of chemical dye to augment the colour from natural materials.

The backstrap loom is traditionally used by nomadic tribes because it is easy to pack and transport the necessary equipment. The Huay Khom women no longer live a nomadic lifestyle, but have chosen to retain their tribe’s customary practices. In the past, it was also customary to grow their own cotton, but nowadays they are able to purchase it at a lower price than the cost of growing. Izara Arts is encouraging a return to home-grown cotton.