Composition: 80 % cotton, 20% tussah silk

Weight: 300 g/m2 (according to the manufacturer), 345 g/m2 (counted by us)

Size: 5

Rucksack carry with tibetian knotless finish, double cross carry

Lenkaˈs View:

Testing a brand new, not-yet-released Dekka wrap? That is an opportunity you cannot reject. Moreover, it was an immense honour for us and we cannot thank enough to Ivana and her husband Martin Škapa, manufacturers of Dekka wraps.

The Dekka wraps truly correspond with their name in Czech, literally transalated as ˈa thick blanketˈ. However, do not be mistaken – they correspond with it in a positive sense. Chubby, feathery, snuggling companions suitable mainly for older infants, which, on the other hand, is being subject of criticism by some thin-wrap-loving wearers. Even my favoured weight spacing ends at Dekka’s usual of 330 g/m2 (pre-wash weight to be more specific), and there are only a few ˈfatterˈ pieces I am (gladly) able to tolerate.

Michael, though, is a slightly different Dekka wrap. It truly is a beautifully airy Tilia, even unworn it is as soft as a properly chewed gum, but at the same time it is thinner, and thanks to silk summery and cool. While tying, the wrap cooperates really well – it basically tightens itself, slipping when it should and holding tight when you need – in the carry as well as in the XL Dekka ring. And, as I have experienced personally again, it forgives even the worst-tied carry just as its Dekka siblings. I have tied my Emilka, weighing about 8 kilos, in quite improvised conditions and under immense stress only a screaming child (whether my own or Lindaˈs) is able to create; however, my shoulders were always covered in a flossy cloudlet, not a piece of wrap had a tendency to cut into my skin. I also appreciate that Michael is crease-resistant (which is a charming property of the Tilias of all compositions I had the opportunity to test).

So many superlatives in one place? There is very little to criticize regarding Michael … Nevertheless, I have found one detail after all – when I tied it with bare shoulders, it scratched and bit me a little (but I am a known sissy as regards potentially ˈbitingˈ materials – I can find teeth there where nobody else could even try to look for them). I know, the tussah (yeah, it really is tussah – Linda will write more about it) will soften over time and those mini-teeth will fall out. And as I parrot all the time when writing about Tilias – the looser weave equals inclination towards pulls. Looks? … Monochrome? Yeah! Tilia? Hmm …

Be Elements in this composition, I will sell one of my vital organs (or at least one of my wraps) …

By the way, do you want to know how the name ˈMichaelˈ originated? When the manufacturers handed over the wrap, they just murmured that I should also think of a name besides testing and taking photos. The working title was ˈBlack and Whiteˈ then. My very first thought was ˈMichaelˈ, Michael Jackson. Thus, Michael was born – simple, isnˈt it?

Lindaˈs View:

I am known for the fact that Dekka wraps have not taken my heart. There is neither objective nor logical reason for that. Maybe, it is the patternsˈ fault – ˈleavesˈ and ˈplectrumsˈ – or, maybe, the right combination of colour, pattern and composition was not realeased yet. All the Dekka wraps I have already tried were okay and supportive enough – however, it just never was the ˈloveˈ I am looking for. I know, I am simply weird.

When we were offered to test a brand new Dekka wrap, we started to celebrate. I was excited about the silk and I also thought it could be a new ˈdifferentˈ Dekka wrap.

Well, letˈs start – step by step. As for the pattern, Tilia is not close to my heart – unfortunatelly, even the black-and-white combination did not break this fact. When you touch the wrap, it is slightly rougher – I assume it will soften before you can say Jack Robinson. The wrap has the characteristic smell of silk and, as most silken wraps, it is a little bit ˈgreasyˈ (I do not know how to describe this feature more precisely) – but when talking about Michael, I consider this attribute light and not bothering. The wrap is really thinner than we are used to regarding Dekka wraps, but the difference is not very big and you just cannot say that it is a totally ˈdifferentˈ wrap. The weave is the same after all.

Letˈs talk about the silk more. Michael contains 20% tussah silk. All the wraps containing this type of silk we have tried so far had substantial slubs and minor imperfections, including sticks. The reason for this is its natural origin. Imagine our surprise when we noticed that Michael has no slugs at all. I even checked with the manufacturers twice whether it really is tussah or not. They confirmed it is and said that you can find little slugs when you inspect the wrap closely. Well, I have taken my magnifying glass and – really – found some really tiny mini-slugs. Anyway, what I am trying to say is that the type of yarn used is really different from the other tussah wraps I have seen so far.

Detailed comparison of Kenhuru Sling Foxy Den (25% tussah) and Dekka Tilia Michael (20% tussah):

I was satisfied when I tied the wrap – it held very safely in the carry. We went for an one-hour-long walk and the wrap dealt with Helenkaˈs 10 kilos successfully. Just as you can expect from a Dekka wrap. I also tried to test my bare shoulders to say if it really ˈbitesˈ as Lenka said – well, I must say that Michael was good to me and did not show his teeth when I tied it. I have to admit that be it a different pattern, I will be preparing a place in my stack. Alas, I must keep waiting for my dream Dekka wrap …

As for the promotional pictures you can see in this article, they were taken in ˈMichalˈ Coalmine in Ostrava. Who knows why the word ˈcoalˈ came into my mind when I first saw the wrap. When Lenka told me the working title is Michael, the choice was clear. We would like to publicly thank to Andrea G., who selflessly helped us during the photo-shoot – we would be really lost without her. We believe the pictures will capture your interest.


You can buy this beautiful Dekka wrap here:http://www.dekka.cz/cs/satky#dekka-tilia-michael