A Sashiko Stitched Shibori Cloth: Zokin or Diaper

mid twentieth century
25" x 13", 63.5 cm x 33 cm

This sashiko stitched panel of indigo dyed cotton is two layers thick and shows two distinct sides with different motifs of shibori dyeing: on one side is a field of miura shibori and a diagonal band of white crescent shapes. On the reverse side there is again, a field of shibori and a diagonal band that shows a sliver of the interlocking circles motif called shippo tsunagi in Japanese. To achieve the subtle tone on the interlocking circle motif a small, cut piece of paper was folded and stitched into the cloth in order to create the subtle tone we see on the cloth.

The entire cloth is stitched in vertical rows in white thread and the condition is good and used. As can be seen on the accompanying detail photos, the indigo dyed is a bit grey in color and there are three tones: white, medium and dark.

A lovely piece of complex shibori dyeing.