A Length of Sekka Itajime Cotton: Wonderfully Textured Base Cloth

early twentieth century
48" x 11", 122 cm x 28 cm

This beautifully dyed cotton cloth is dyed in the itajime shibori or clamp dyed method. 

The cotton would have been folded in a series of triangular folds, then clamped, and then the edges would have been dyed.  The result is this field of blue on white, six pointed "flowers" which are arranged at the points of a hexagon, creating a repeat.

The hexagon form is important to note as it is the tortoiseshell motif, which is a symbol meaning long life, a conveyance that anyone would wish for the baby wearing this diaper.

The cotton is of good, old quality and even if it is not hand spun it gives that appearance. As well, the indigo tone--still deep and rich--is of very good quality. The pattern has a striking appearance.