Embroidered, 100% cotton kantha baby blanket in red and orange peacock design by Khushi Kantha

Sustainable, multi-purpose, machine-washable Rangpur (peacock) baby blanket with a vibrant stand-out factor, hand-stitched from four layers of reclaimed and ethically-sourced cotton and embroidered with empowerment by mothers in Bangladesh. Meets BS EN 16779-1:2018 product safety standard.

The blanket comes presented in a re-usable cotton drawstring bag, hand-crafted from a vintage sari offcut, with a packaging insert featuring the photo and story of the mother who made it.

The label hand-stitched into the blanket features the geo-coordinates of the village in North-West Bangladesh where it was made, and the maker has hand-embroidered her name and the blanket’s unique number on the label.

How it’s made: Khushi Kantha (Happy Blanket) has partnered with a GOTS-certified Bangladeshi garments factory to breathe new life into what's known as 'deadstock' cotton fabric, by upcycling it as the inside layers of our blankets. The outside layers are made from traditional handloom fabric, which is hand-woven, and then hand-dyed to our custom colour palette using Oeko-Tek passport-certified dyes.

Our embroidery designs are named after our favourite parts of North-West Bangladesh. Rangpur was the home of the pioneering feminist Begum Rokeya.

Uses: As practical as they are pretty, a Happy Blanket is highly versatile - they are easy to transport, and can be used for pretty much every task on a busy parent's daily to-do list! For example: as a pram blanket; as a soft, clean surface for baby to lie or sit on, at home, in the park, on the beach, in a cafe etc.; as a breastfeeding cover; to line the pram, giving baby a snug, soft surface to lie on; and even as a makeshift changing mat when the need arises! Instilled with the strength and spirit of the mothers who create them, our blankets are designed to withstand the daily wear-and-tear of life with a little one, and be treasured from child to child.

The blanket can continue to be used through the years, as babies grow into toddlers and beyond.

They’re perfect for keeping cosy when watching a movie on the sofa when the weather is miserable, as a towel on the beach, for building dens, for picnicking, and for toddler tea parties!

Dimensions: 1m x 75cm

Care: Our Happy Blankets get even softer and more nurturing with each wash! They have all been pre-washed multiple times, to ensure the fabric doesn't shrink and the colours don't run. Protect the environment: Gentle wash at 30 degrees, with similar colours. Do not tumble dry or dry clean.

Every Happy Blanket purchased comes with a unique story attached - and creates an opportunity for a mother in Bangladesh to provide for her children with dignity.

Source: Shakti.ism

Shakti.ism is a British brand that gives Indian Sarees a second life by reusing them into beautiful new items in social workshops in India and Bangladesh.

Fair trade: Shakti.ism is a social enterprise operating in India and Bangladesh. Employees are paid a fair wage as well as additional health and wellness benefits. Shakti.ism regularly visits the locations and consults with their employees.

Environmentally friendly: The items are made from old Indian Sarees that are given a second life by Shakti.ism. For example, many sarees are donated. Local donations are generally from poorer people who donate sarees in exchange for other necessities of life. Or they sell it to Shakti.ism at a low price so that they can use this money to buy basic necessities. Shakti.ism can then save the second-hand fabric from being thrown away and reuse it. Saris can also be donated in Europe so that they can be reused.

Good cause: Shakti.ism works with women who are at risk of being affected by gender-based violence. At Shaktiism these women are given the opportunity to earn their own money fairly in a pleasant environment.