Sett & Beat

Sett & Beat is a textile design studio in Cape Town, designing and weaving small batches of homeware and bespoke textiles. The mother-daughter duo predominantly uses locally produced natural fibres to create limited-edition handwoven products. They also collaborate with makers, producing speciality textiles for fashion designers or interior clients.

Features

Resources and materials

Uses a wide range of natural and renewable materials, including hemp, raffia, indigenous reeds, locally spun cotton, mohair, wool, recycled sari silk, and banana silk
Works with South African spinners who produce mohair, wool and alpaca yarns and are accredited to the Responsible Mohair and Wool Standards
Uses natural dyes like turmeric and coffee
Purchases end-of-run yarns from discontinued lines or closing mills
Works with an Indian spinner for hand-spun yarns that include organic cotton, Eri silk, Matka silk, recycled sari silk, and banana silk

Making and manufacturing

Everything is produced in-house
Woven textiles are washed with a low-impact washing method
Most items are made by hand
Floor looms work with air compression to reduce the physical strain associated with handweaving
Sampling looms do not use electricity

Social and cultural

Teaches all aspects of the weaving process to employees to upskill and empower
Collaborates with brands that are working to create social change, such as The Ninevites and MMUSOMAXWELL

Product and design

Design process carefully planned to minimise fabric waste
Thorough consideration of how weaves will last, wash, and perform is a key part of the design
Pieces transcend trends and seasons
Most items are made-to-order, with some produced in small batches
“Faulty” runs are repurposed into limited edition items, ensuring no waste
Woven textiles are made to order, allowing for custom-sized cloth creation

Packaging and distribution

Uses paper packaging
Uses Hot Ink, a carbon-neutral printer, for all printed materials
Mohair blankets include a hemp and organic cotton bag for safe storage during summer months
Uses Globeflight, a South African logistics company owned by DSV, which is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050