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I’m very sensitive to cold, so I’ve been dreaming of a warm, heavy blanket for a while now. I was very inspired by the cashmere throws I saw at Brunello Cucinelli, Hermès, Brun de Vian-Tiran… what I love about their design is that the throw doesn’t look like a large cashmere scarf. On the contrary, it’s nice and heavy, and the edges are sewn with a blanket stitch.
Photo credit: Brunello Cucinelli, Hermès, Brun de Vian-Tiran
I touched and ordered plenty of cashmere samples from several suppliers, and I tell myself that I really need very heavy cashmere, around 400g/m. Below that, it looks like a sweater 😀 Note that I’m talking about weight per meter, but sometimes you only have “g/mtl” or “g/ml” (grams per linear meter), which measures the weight of the fabric for one meter across the full width (selvage) of the fabric.
I particularly love double-face cashmere because two layers of cashmere are sewn together, and the blanket has two colors for variety. After several months of diligently visiting the Antonietta Tessuti website, which sells upcycled fabrics from luxury brands, I opted for a double-face cashmere at €125/m. Now, this is an exceptional price because it’s upcycled fabric; but on top of that, it’s an off-cut, meaning an end-of-roll fabric; so the price is even more reduced. Hard to find anything cheaper.
Note: this article is NOT sponsored, I paid for everything out of my own pocket
There were two remnants: one at 1.4m and the other at 1.7m. Obviously, I took the 1.7m remnant so that the throw could also be used by JB, my husband.
It’s a website that can be a bit intimidating because everything happens via email, but I’ve already made purchases from them without any problems, and they have a physical store in Turin, Italy. You only have to add the product to your cart as usual, and when you validate the cart, instead of being redirected to payment, it will indicate that your request has been sent and someone will respond to you by email.
You will receive a quote by email (fabric price + shipping costs). They’re based in Turin, so shipping costs are between €15 and €30 for delivery to France. Then, you’ll receive either an IBAN number or a PayPal payment link (I’ve always opted for PayPal payment so it’s faster).
Upon receiving the fabric, I sew the edges using a blanket stitch and buttonhole twist thread. It will then be given to the dry cleaner, and that’s it.
Cost of the operation: fabric €209 + €28 shipping + €6 for the buttonhole twist thread from Lafayette Saltiel Drapiers, which makes
a total of €243 for a thick, 100% cashmere throw.
It’s very economical compared to throws that cost between €2,000 and €4,000 at luxury brands, isn’t it?
What if you don’t know how to sew?
Either you opt for one of the ready-made throws from Antonietta Tessuti (which I didn’t do because, once again, I need a thick, heavy fabric), or you use their custom service.
Antonietta Tessuti offers a service where they can hand-sew for you, with 100% merino thread. However, you must purchase at least 1.8 meters of fabric. The service costs €60 for throws sized 180 x 150, and €100 for throws sized 250×300, in addition to the fabric purchase.
Everything is explained here in English. To order, it’s very simple: you send them an email with the fabric code you want, give them your postal address, and they’ll send you a quote.
I decided to sew it myself because my remnant doesn’t match the required criteria (minimum 1.8 meters), and besides, I know how to sew, so it is also a pleasure to do it myself.
Samples
If you’re too hesitant, you can order samples before buying. Samples cost €4/piece; expect around €15 for shipping to France. Just send them an email with the codes of the fabrics you’re interested in.
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