The weft and warp threads are typically dyed to create the colour effect in the fabric. To make this, there are many steps involved, such as spinning, dyeing, weaving and finishing. Handloom fabrics can be made from any natural fibre such as cotton or wool; but they are most commonly made from silk or cotton-silk blends which give them their unique soft feel and drapeability, which is why many people like buying handloom sarees online in Sri Lanka.

The process starts with raw materials (wool for example) being spun into yarns using a spinning wheel. Then these yarns need to be dyed to get the desired colours before they’re woven into cloth on a hand loom by expert weavers. During this process, drafts are made to make sure the design is carried onto the cloth optimally and that all colours look good together. The final step of production for handloom fabrics involves finishing which can include ironing or steaming to remove wrinkles, labelling, packaging and inspecting pieces millimetre by millimetre before sewing them into garments such as handloom sarongs.

The handloom industry has provided employment opportunities to many people, and handloom products are considered eco-friendly and cost effective too. However, the industry is facing a threat nowadays because of cheaper imports from China and other countries which make it hard for these artisanal manufacturers to compete in the market. The handloom industry in Sri Lanka has seen tremendous growth over the past decade however, with the government taking great initiatives to protect this traditional industry and provide necessary support for its development.

While this is a very old craft and industry, today, many different types of materials may be used in creating handmade textiles including cotton, linen, hemp or silk among others using these innovative methods.