A Striped Square Zokin: Concentric Stitching

mid twentieth century
12 3/4" x 13 1/2", 32.5 cm x 34 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 example shows a beautifully sashiko stitched zokin where the sashiko stitching starts in the center of the zokin and continues around itself and radiates outward to the edges of the cloth, following the parameters of the square of cotton.

A beauty.