FAQ
1] Where is your organisation based?
Sakhi Saphaya works out of Dharwad, Karnataka.
Address: H. NO: 14, "Harsha", 1st main road, near Hamigi apartments, Keshav Nagar, Dharwad - 580007.
2] What does Sakhi Saphalya mean?
Sakhi means friend, and Saphalya means fruitfulness amalgamate to – productiveness through sisterhood.
3] When was this women's self-help group started?
Sakhi Saphalya was registered in 2020. But our livelihood projects under "Kai Krafts" started in 2010.
4] What kind of work do you do, and how many employees do you have?
Sakhi Saphalya's primary focus is 'kasuti' hand embroidery. As an axillary work, we work with many handloom weavers, quilters, natural dyers, and hand block printers in north Karnataka. We are a team of 250 kasuti artisans and six office bearers.
5] What kind of kasuti work do you do? Does your embroidery thread bleed?
We only offer hand-embroidered kasuti. Within which, we use stitches like 'Gavanthi', 'Murgi', 'Negi', and 'Menthi'. Designs are traced on the fabric and embroidered. We use time-tested Anchor-skeen threads, and they don't bleed.
6] Explain the difference between hand kasuti and machine kasuti embroidery?
In the word 'kasuti', Ka - means hand and Suti - means to embroider. So, kasuti means 'hand-embroidery'. Hence, prefixing 'machine' with kasuti is an oxymoron by itself!
Do remember, kasuti is a GI-tagged craft granted to Dharwad and copying this heritage craft in a machine is an offence and attracts a severe penalty.
While the hand embroidered kasuti work looks identical both on the front and back of the fabric, in the machine embroidered ones, the embroidery is seen only in the front!
7] What kind of services do you provide?
Our focus is to customise kasuti hand embroidery on your sarees or products. However, we offer a small range of ready-to-use kasuti embroidered sarees, stoles, garments, and home-need products.
8] On what kind of products can I get kasuti embroidery done?
The sky is the limit. We embroider on sarees, stoles, dupattas, garments, bedspreads, cushion covers, napkins, fabric slip-on, lampshades, umbrellas, bags, fabric hats, curtains, placemats, runners, table covers, and on almost any textile that we use at home.
9] What is the advantage of working with your organisation?
Apart from the frugal office overheads and margin, the rest of the amount gets deposited into the artisan's bank account through Sakhi Saphalya, as all our artisans are shareholders in our company. We not only train and empower rural women to be financially independent, but we also look into their health, well-being, fair living conditions, and fair wages. Sakhi Saphalya is the gatekeeper of fairness towards our family of women artisans.
10] Can we visit your workplace?
Of course, you can. Please message us and make an appointment before coming. Apart from regional public holidays, we work from Monday through Saturday, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.
11] Do you teach kasuti embroidery?
With experience in training rural women artisans, we have learnt that it takes more than 3 weeks to learn Kasuti hand embroidery. Keeping the time factor in mind, we haven't yet equipped ourselves to teach kasuti to hobbyists. But, if you are a part of a women's organisation, let us know, and we could conduct training camps.
12] Can I give you the design, and how will it work?
We welcome your design. However, keep in mind, as kasuti is very geometrical, there are chances that your original design may not exactly match our traced kasuti pattern. Our master crafts person will look into your design and if needed, will provide you with suggestions and alternatives.
13] How to make sure my designs do not get copied?
As a part of the artisan's community, we respect the time, creativity, and hard work that goes into every design. We assure you that your original designs do not get copied. Ideally, if you have trademarked your designs, do send us a copy of the same.
14] How much do you charge for kasuti hand embroidery?
The charges for Kasuti hand embroidery depend on the [a] size of the design, [b] the number of stitches in the design, [c] complexity, [d] number of colours used, [e] the base fabric, [f] the kind of stitches. We proceed with embroidering your product only after getting approval of the price from you.
15] How much time do you take to embroider?
Again, it depends on all the above factors [Check question no: 14]. At times, family, village festivities, and monsoon gets prioritised. We will let you know the ballpark time on the delivery schedule and assure you that we strive to deliver your product at the earliest.
16] Do you encourage B2B?
Yes, we do. We have worked with many designer entrepreneurs, NGOs, retail stores, and big brands. We would gladly join hands with you too.
17] How to buy your product/s?
We have listed some of our products on the website. To purchase any of them, send us a WhatsApp message on 9916336657.
or you can use our online store which will be available on website soon!
19] Do you offer COD?
Unfortunately, no.
20] How to maintain kasuti embroidered products?
Like any handcrafted product, kasuti too requires care. We suggest you use mild/no soap, dip, squeeze, and dry under shade or dry-clean for better results. For products like fabric slip-on, lampshades, umbrellas, etc, use a dry cloth and wipe clean.
