A Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Very Subtle Large Repair

early twentieth century
79" x 12 3/4", 201 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a generously long piece of indigo dyed katazome cotton that bears the overall pattern of stylized chrysanthemums amid a field of karakusa or arabesque. The tracery style of the pattern, the white on blue, is delicate and attractive.

Equally delicate and hard to see is the long, L-shaped repair on the length, the manner in which the repair was done was to join the torn area and stitch it closed, thus interrupting the repeat pattern in a very subtle way.

This aspect of the length is shown in detail on the accompanying photographs and it is an attractive moment in this otherwise long and handsome length of cloth. As well, there are two, small and narrow, irregularly shaped holes to the cotton, both shown in accompanying photos as well.

This is a lovely thing and one with a hidden surprise of hard to notice mending.