Saree bag
Each sari bag is quilted and stitched with two-three layers of vintage saris. The bags are available in different sizes and colors and has a different pattern inside and outside.
- Hand-stitched unique bags
-
Meet the women behind the bags in this video
- Trust pilot 5 out of 5⭐️
Cotton sari shopper
Silk shopper
Weekend bag (cotton)
Cotton sari shopper
Cotton sari shopper
Cotton sari shopper
Saree bag
Hand stitched sari bag
A sari bag is not only beautiful, it is also unique. There are only two-three pieces of each bag because the bags are made from vintage saris. A sari is a piece of cloth that has traditionally been worn by women in Bangladesh, among others. It can be an heirloom passed down from generation to generation and used on special occasions or a garment worn every day.
Thus, every sari bag has one history, as the beautiful old saris have been upcycled and given a new life. This means that the bags are not "perfect" and may have minor stains and patches on them. Likewise, there will never be two products that are sewn 100 percent alike, because they are handmade. We hope that you will appreciate the small features of the bags and their history and hope that you will enjoy your bag for many years into the future.
The story behind the beautiful bags
A sari bag originates from an ancient tradition of sewing carpets. Originally, old saris were stitched together to make warm blankets for winter. Today, the old saris are re-sewn into a wide range of new products, such as decorative rugs for the home, cushions and in this case bags. The beautiful colors and patterns turn them into small, unique works of art, and the many different colors and patterns make it possible to find a bag for every occasion.
Originally, the saris were sewn together by hand with uniform visible stitches, called kantha stitches. Kantha is a special way of embroidery and is a centuries-long tradition originally from Bangladesh and India. The Kantha tradition is also very meaningful because it is about giving new life to something old. The cotton bags at Manelleh are sewn with kantha stitch.
Your purchase makes a difference
When you buy a sari bag, you help ensure proper, meaningful and dignified jobs for marginalized women in Bangladesh. The women work at a socially responsible company, Saidpur Enterprises, where they receive a fair salary, annual bonus (dividend) and professional training. Saidpur Enterprises is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), which audits and guarantees that the organization is a socially responsible workplace.