TUSSAR OR HANDSPUN RUSTIC SILK (INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AS TUSSAH SILK) IS A COARSE, THICK VARIETY OF NATURAL SILK MADE BY ALLOWING CERTAIN SILKWORM SPECIES TO SPIN THEIR COCOONS USING STEMS AND LEAVES INSTEAD OF BEING RAISED ON MULBERRY.

During the silk reeling process to unwind inpidual filaments for weaving, the thicker, coarser strands are segregated and used for handspun rustic silk textiles.  

Since ancient times, these thick silk filaments were spun by hand and naturally dyed using barks, leaves, and roots, yielding rustic yet durable handwoven rustic silk fabric

The disordered silk filaments are manually strung onto the loom's warp beams. 

When interlaced during weaving, the coarse filament joints create thick, uneven knots that protrude across the rustic silk fabric surface - an identifying hallmark yet inherent flaw of this silk. However, for rustic silk enthusiasts, these very knots certify the textile's genuine handcrafted pedigree. 

Although coarser than finely-reeled mulberry silk, the rustic silk still boasts a subtle sheen since it originates from authentic silkworm cocoons. Rustic silk products thus offer the same incredible properties as premium silk: lightweight, soft, cool in summer yet warm in winter, hypoallergenic, and sustainable.

As modern consumers gravitate towards natural, eco-friendly textiles, the rustic, organic essence of handspun rustic silk aligns perfectly with this conscious ethos in both aesthetics and origin.