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Armadillo & Co | Behind the Brand

Armadillo & Co is one of Australia’s leading contemporary rug manufacturers. Their extended family spans from weavers in India to their local team who support their work in Australia. Armadillo are united by a desire to work collaboratively to create beautiful, handmade rugs using Fair Trade practices. Jodie and Sally work closely with the team, providing creative inspiration and brand stewardship. We caught up with Jodie in 2015 when we profiled them in our meet the maker series over here.

Armadillo Rugs all embrace Fair Trade practices, are crafted from sustainable natural fibres including pure wool, jute, cotton and hemp, and all purchases benefit local schools in the weavers’ villages. Armadillo & Co’s key values are to be environmentally responsible. They strive for their products and processes to leave as little impact on the earth as possible, while using a ‘reuse, reduce and recycle’ philosophy. They are continuously working to conserve and reduce their resources and energy consumption as they grow. The materials for all products are carefully sourced and use natural, recycled and sustainable fibres.

100% Handmade – From the hands of those who spin and dye the yarns, to the hands of the artisans who weave and finish the rugs, each one of their products are infused with the rich history of ancient craftsmanship. Every Armadillo & Co product is 100% handmade by their extended family of artisans using Fair Trade practices. Our artisans are integral to their local community’s livelihood and most importantly, they are carrying on a lineage that deserves preservation.

Socially Responsible – Armadillo & Co believe in giving back. It’s the best way they can support those who give so much to the brand. They are passionately committed to social responsibility and community involvement. It is vitally important to Armadillo & Co to support local schools in their weavers’ villages, as well as The Anganwadi Project’s preschools in poverty stricken slums. Every purchase helps provide employment to their extended family of artisans, as well as education support to local schools in their villages and helps build brighter futures for children in underprivileged communities. They are ardent supporters and members of Care & Fair, an initiative against illegal child labour in the carpet production industry in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Absolutely no children are in any way employed in the making of Armadillo & Co products.

Want to know more about the Armadillo & Co Process?

Dyeing

Hand dyeing and sun drying add abundant texture and vibrancy to our yarn. Recipes are finessed through experience. For small batches, our artisans’ tools are a fire, a stirring rod and a saucepan as the dye bath. Large ones use a hand turned pole studded with hoops, off which the skeins are hung, dipping in and out of the cauldron of dye.

Spinning

Using traditional hand powered winders, our artisans deftly guide armfuls of wool as it twists, filling spindles with richly textured yarn ready for the shuttles and weaving. The hemp used for our rugs is less pliable at this stage. After spinning, it is wound by hand lengthways around a long and slender wooden bobbin, destined for the loom.

Weaving

Our rug designs make use of the traditional weaving styles of our artisans’ communities, reinterpreted for contemporary interiors. Our weavers often work side by side on one loom or take turns to craft our flat weave, hand knot and braided rugs. Hand looming and knotting instils each one with subtle character and timeless appeal.

Washing

Gentle washing allows our rugs to shrink just enough to tighten up the weave and increase durability. Our artisans use wooden paddles to push the soapy water over both sides of each rug before rinsing them in the same way. Each rug is stitched to a frame and dried in sunshine. This retains their shape and enhances the fibre’s appearance.

Finishing

Hand finishing ensures each rug is as beautiful and well made as it can be. Every edge and surface is given attention by our artisans, who skillfully scissor and stitch errant threads and the turnover at each end. This final pursuit of perfection delivers a rug that is almost flawless, yet rich with warmth and ideal for today’s interiors.

The Final Touch

The final touch to our rugs is thoughtfully preparing them before they are shipped. Our rugs are first meticulously checked for quality, labels are then attached and sewn on by hand, and finally, they are rolled and neatly packed for safe travel. Each Armadillo & Co rug sees its journey’s end when it arrives in your home.