FAQ

Our Story

What does the name Minga mean?
Minga comes from the Quechua word mink'a — a tradition of communal work, where people come together to accomplish something that benefits everyone. It's the whole idea behind this business: every piece is made in partnership, not in a factory.

Who makes Minga's pieces?
We work with several artisan groups across the Imbabura region of Ecuador, as well as outside of Cuenca. This includes Flora de Choco, a women's association in Intag who hand-process cabuya fiber into our bags and bucket hats; Carlos and Zoila's family workshop in Imbabura, who shape our wool and straw hats; women's embroidery groups in Imbabura who hand-embroider our clothing; Paco and his family, master leatherworkers in Imbaburai; and Yoli and her team of knitters across Imbabura, who hand-knit our sweaters and beanies. You can read more about each group on our Artisans + Techniques page.

Why does this matter?
A lot of these artisan groups don't have easy access to a market for their work, so partnering with them gives them a reliable selling outlet for their craft. The mountains where they live are also targeted by mining companies, which threaten the forest, the water, and their way of life — every Minga piece you buy helps make an ethical, sustainable alternative possible for these communities.

Will you ever restock this sweater/bag/style?
Every piece is made by hand in small batches, so exact restocks aren't guaranteed. Your best bet is to sign up for "back in stock" notifications right on the product page, or join our newsletter to hear first when new pieces (or restocks) drop.

Orders & Shipping

How long will my order take to arrive?
We're a one-woman small business doing our best to get your order to you quickly! Orders typically take 3–4 business days to process, and we ship twice a week. Once shipped, orders usually arrive within 2–4 business days.

Do you offer rush shipping?
Free standard shipping applies to all US orders over $200; expedited shipping is available for a fee at checkout. If you need something by a specific date, email us at hello@madebyminga.com and we'll do what we can to help.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes — just note that international orders are final sale (see returns below), and we're not responsible for any customs duties or fees charged on your end.

My package says delivered but I never got it. What now?
Once a package leaves our hands, it's in the postal service's, and we unfortunately can't offer refunds or replacements for packages marked delivered but not received, or for incorrect addresses entered at checkout. That said, email us — we're always glad to help track it down.

Returns & Exchanges

What's your return policy?
We accept returns on full-price, unworn, unwashed items within 14 days of your order date, with tags and original packaging intact. After 14 days, all sales are final. Sale items and orders placed with a promo code (aside from our welcome code) aren't eligible for return or exchange.

Is there a fee?
A $18.99 processing fee is deducted from refunds to cover return shipping and handling. Choose store credit instead and we'll waive that fee — store credit never expires. If you're doing an exchange, we'll cover the shipping to get your new item to you.

How do I start a return or exchange?
Email hello@madebyminga.com with your order number and name, whether you'd like a refund or exchange, and (for exchanges) your desired style and size. Once your return is in the mail, please allow up to two weeks for us to process it.

My piece got damaged from washing/wear. Can I return it?
Because our pieces are handmade from natural materials, we can't take responsibility for damage caused by washing, drying, or general wear — see the care instructions below for how to keep your piece in good shape.

Sizing & Care

How do I find my hat size?
Measure the circumference of your head about 2–3" above your eyebrows using a flexible tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler, then compare to our size chart (on each product page). If you're between sizes, we recommend sizing up — most hats have an internal elastic band for a snugger fit.

How do I care for my hat?
Reshape a tired hat with a damp cloth and a warm iron on the brim (steam works great), then let it cool flat for 10 minutes. Freshen it up between wears with a soft bristle brush or lint roller, and spot clean stains with a natural soap and a damp white cloth. If it gets wet, let it air dry flat.

How do Minga sweaters fit?
Our sweaters run a bit oversized on purpose, for extra coziness. We currently offer three sizes (S–M, M–L, and XL) — check the product page for exact measurements. We're working on adding more sizes as we grow.

How do I wash my sweater?
We recommend dry cleaning your knit sweater. If you'd rather wash it at home, hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent, letting it soak — don't wring it. Rinse, press out excess water, and lay flat to dry, reshaping as you go. Store folded (not on a hanger) to keep its shape. Honestly, we don't wash ours much ;) natural fibers don't need tons of baths.

How do I care for my clothing pieces?
Our clothing is handmade from 100% cotton — we recommend dry cleaning and laying flat to dry. Always skip the dryer, since heat can damage the natural fibers.

How do I care for my woven bag?
Our bags are made from cabuya, a natural plant fiber that's hand-spun and plant-dyed, and it only gets better with wear. If it needs a clean, gently rub any spots with a damp white towel and a natural soap, and hand wash only — harsh detergents or a washing machine will fade the color. Let it air dry.

Stockists & Wholesale

Where can I find Minga in stores?
We're carried by boutiques across the US and a couple of spots internationally — see our full Stockists page for the current list.

I own a shop — how do I carry Minga?
We'd love to hear from you! Apply here to become a stockist.