1255 days ago

Luxurious Lotus Silk

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Lotus fibre or lotus silk is a rather rare and exclusive fibre. The silk comes from the stem of the lotus flower which is made up of microfibres.


The stems are snapped off, the fibres are teased out before being rolled into thread. Once the threads are dry, they are weighed down and carefully wound by hand. Then they’re put onto the loom. These fibres are fragile, but once woven, can be as durable as traditional silk.


The entire process of fibre extraction, weaving the fibre, and making the fabric is completely handmade, making the process time-consuming. This also limits the quantity of the fabric produced. A large scarf requires the thread of around 9,200 stems and would take one worker around two months to complete. This is why it is considered luxurious and items made from lotus silk do not go cheap.

The resulting material resembles raw silk or an aged linen, naturally beige in colour and possesses unique qualities. It is waterproof, practically wrinkle proof, washable, lightweight, sweatproof and is soft to the touch.

Most importantly, its key quality is that it is one of the most eco-friendly materials on the planet. The lotus is a water plant. It preserves the eco-system in which it grows including the water as much as the surrounding wildlife.

Not only is it created from waste (lotus stems), but it also leaves little waste behind. In fact, lotus silk been identified as potentially the most ecological fabric in the world, and it is the first natural microfibre in the world. Being a natural fibre, it is biodegradable after its useful life.

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2 hours ago

Spoil someone special this Mother’s Day

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3 days ago

Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Would you want an unconventional funeral?
  • 84.3% Yes
    84.3% Complete
  • 13.8% No
    13.8% Complete
  • 1.9% Other - I'll share below!
    1.9% Complete
1647 votes
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13 days ago

Unelected commissioners recommend they stay in power

Pat from Welcome Bay

That's the Stuff headline. I have watched on as these commissioners proselytize about how they respect democracy-and now this. I acknowledge Simeon Brown has rejected their proposal but all I see is these commissioners trying to cling on to power and their sinecure at all costs. It is unbelievable-they should be ashamed. Ms Tolley (who does not live here), Mr Selwood who gets flown up from god knows where, and the other two-spare me the platitudes about how they are only here for the benefit of Tauranga. No you are not. You are paid to impose what you think we want. What is that? An oligarchy? Democracy is not perfect but far better than what you propose. To completely misquote Bertrand Russell-let the people think. By the way Mr Rutherford (my absent aka missing in action BoP MP) if you can deign to read this-show some mettle.