A Dip Dyed Diaper: Dots and Circles

mid twentieth century
27" x 12 1/4", 68.5 cm x 31 cm

This soft and lightweight cotton cloth measures, as shown as 27" or 68.5 cm in length, when in reality as it is twice that since this is a length of cotton that has been stitched as a "tube," short end to short end.

It is a diaper and is dyed some kind of dip dyed or another kind of method where the pattern was selectively applied to the cloth. As there is evidence of symmetry in the design we know that a bolt of cloth was folded and the design was applied to the top layer and the dye was drawn down through the layers of the cloth.

If you look closely at the second detail photo here you will see a faint, black-colored maker's mark, always interesting to see on old hand-dyed textiles.

The diaper is in good, used condition with some patina from wear.