A Repaired Plaid Zokin: Mending Stitches

early to mid twentieth century
11" x 13 1/2", 28 cm x 34.25 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 zokin is a few layers thick and is made from a boldly patterned and colored plaid cotton of a muted pale yellow and a dark indigo. There is sashiko stitching in two diagonals and a cross design and some mending stitches to hold together frayed areas of the cotton.

A lovely zokin with a nice, boro feel.