Cambodian Threads

Frequently Asked Questions


What is Cambodian Threads (CT)?

Cambodian Threads is a socially responsible company which offers hand-made, fairly traded silk scarves, produced in a sweat-free environment by a family of artisans from a small Cambodian village.

A portion of the proceeds from each product sold to people like you is used to purchase basic educational necessities essential to learning, and provided to disadvantaged schools in Cambodia. (top)

How does it work?

For a Fair Trade price, Cambodian Threads buys directly from the artisans who craft the scarves in a sweat- free environment. The scarves are sold in foreign markets and a portion of the those sales is used to purchase and donate school supplies for children in two rural Cambodian communities. (top)

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is a system of trading which promotes a more equitable global trade, especially to sellers and producers in poorer areas, and also promotes better care for the environment. Our scarves are bought directly from the producers who are paid fair value according to their living costs and future development plans while mindful of resale potential. (top)

Who crafts the scarves?

The dozen or so members of the extensive Heng family craft the scarves and take great pride in their art. They get the raw silk from local Cambodian silk farms and dye it using traditional methods. (top)

Where are the scarves made?

The scarves are made on the island village of Prek Bongkong located on the Mekong River in Kandal Province, Cambodia. The village, 20 miles southeast of Phnom Penh and accessible by ferry, is a small rural community with limited access to resources for development. The locals, majority of whom are farmers, generate meager incomes which average $20-40 US per month. (top)

What is the weaving studio like?

The weaving studio, located on the ground level of the Heng family’s home, is a traditional stilted house which opens into a lush garden. The artists work on wooden looms that are modeled after the ancient Khmer silk looms. (top)

How are the scarves made, and how long does it take?

Raw silk purchased from local farmers is naturally dyed by hand, dried, then hand spun into thread using a spinning wheel. With the artist’s final design in mind, the finished silk thread is set onto a traditional wooden loom and woven into an air light scarf. Hand twisting threads at the ends prevents fraying. Each scarf takes 6-8 days to finish. (top)

What is donated?

Currently students at the Preah Takov Primary School in Prek Bongkong Village, Kandal Province and the Samareav Primary School in Samareav Village, Takeo Province receive basic supplies such as notebooks, maps, pencils, and pens. Our first donation was $50 and bought 200 notebooks, 400 pencils, 50 sharpeners, and 100 stickers for 170 children aged 5-7. (top)

How should I care for my scarf?

Scarves should be handwashed in cold water and mild detergent. A low heat iron setting can be used to smooth any wrinkles after hang drying or laying flat to dry. (top)

How can I place an order, or learn more?

Please visit our web site at www.cambodianthreads.com to place an order, read our blog, or get more information. (top)