Women's Twist Long Turban from a Hand-Woven Ethiopian Shema Shawl — Green

A celadon-green women's turban sewn from an exceptional Ethiopian Shema shawl, made of hand-spun and hand-woven cotton.

The fabric is incredibly light, delicately sheer and softly shimmering. The juicy celadon green and the woven ornaments respond beautifully to light, reflecting it with an almost metallic sheen.

Thanks to the Twist construction with two removable copper wires, you can shape the turban in under a minute — as full head coverage, a wide headband, a sculptural wrap or a playful bow.

See how to tie the Twist turban.

Only one piece was made. The original shawl label comes with the turban.

What called to me

This is a true gem in my turban collection!

I sewed it from an exceptional Shema shawl whose story began in Ethiopia, with hand-spun cotton threads. It was then hand-woven on looms by Ethiopian weavers.

On the shawl's original label I read about the centuries-old weaving tradition in rural Ethiopia. About women who spin cotton and men who weave it into fabric for traditional garments.

I approached making this turban with trembling hands, knowing how much time and human work went into creating this shawl.

I was enchanted by its lightness, delicate transparency and juicy green that almost glows. I also kept the white fringe from the original shawl, because it is part of its story.

I love thinking of this turban as a meeting of two crafts.

First, someone in Ethiopia spins the thread and weaves the shawl. Then the shawl comes to my studio, where I sew it into a turban.

I don't erase its first story. I write the next one.

On the Shema Shawls label I also found that income from the shawls supports projects for the education of women and girls. Another piece of the story this fabric brought with it.

I sewed only one turban from this shawl. There will never be another one like it — a true one of a kind.