A Densely Stitched Zokin: Two Interesting Sides

mid twentieth century
13" x 15", 33 cm x 38 cm

A zokin is a traditional Japanese dust cloth or cleaning rag; it is usually made from old pieces of cloth and it is usually layered and stitched for durability.   

Along with diapers, zokin are among the traditional household textiles that represent the end of the line where the repurposing or recycling of cloth is concerned.

This example of good size shows a wonderfully sashiko stitched zokin which is a few layers thick and is stitched together from a two different commercially loomed cottons: the front being an off-white striped pattern and the back being a blue and white, dense repeat.  Wonderful are the many, tight rows of sashiko stitching.

Just wonderful.