Mudcloth is a centuries-old, hand-dyed textile art that originates in West Africa, Mali. Known locally as Bògòlanfini, authentic mudcloth takes weeks to make by applying one to two coats of color-rich mud to undyed cloth. Handmade & 100% cotton.
Fabric Details
The dimensions of the piece are approximately:
Height - 44 inches
Length - 64 inches
Due to the nature of the fabric, tiny spaces within the seams, an organic neutral scent, some dust presence, or a slight variation in pattern may naturally occur. Colour may slightly vary due to lighting.
Process
Cotton strips are woven on narrow looms, then stitched together into larger cloths. The cloth is soaked in a dye bath made from mashed and boiled leaves of the n’gallama tree, turning it a rich yellow before it is sun-dried.
Designs are then hand-painted using fermented riverbed mud, carefully and repeatedly applied to trace intricate motifs. Depending on the colorway, additional treatments are used to set, lighten, or remove dye from unpainted areas, producing the finished cloth’s characteristic contrast between pattern and ground.
Uses
- Decoration (wall hanging, couch throw, bedding, drapes, etc)
- Crafts (pillows, plant pot cover, furniture upholstery, coasters, tapestry, table runner, etc)
- Fashion (tote bags, pants, shirts, dresses, headbands, etc)
- Gift
