An Itajime Shibori Dyer: Clamp Dyed

mid twentieth century
26" x 12", 66 cm x 30.,5 cm

This lightweight cotton cloth measures, as shown as 26 " or 66 cm in length, when in reality as it is twice that since this is a length of cotton that has been stitched as a "tube," short end to short end.

It is a diaper and 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, star-shaped images which are arranged in ordered repeat.  Please note that some of the pattern degrades a bit which gives it an interestingly flawed appearance: very attractive.

Note the maker's seal on the end of the cloth shown on the detail photo here: it is always fun to find details like this on old textiles.

The diaper is in good, used condition with some good patina from wear.

Really lovely.