Stitcher's Guild

Posted this elsewhere on the web, but thought I'd see if anyone had experience with mudcloth.  I bought a beautiful piece of mudcloth and was looking for a good jacket pattern to use. Not too boxy, as that isn't a great shape on me, but something that would take advantage of the bold print and perhaps using the panels as a linear element.
I just washed it, and it did lose a little of the color, but it still is nice and bold.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/heykarrol/detail?.dir=f9cdscd&.dnm=8f09scd.jpg&.src=ph

Anyone else using handwovens or ethnic fabrics?

Karrol, I have a piece that I have had for ages.  I keep pulling it out and looking at it but yet to make anything with it.

I was wondering what did you use to wash it, any soap or detergent product specially?  I was told I need to wash it before making it up.  One day when the muse hits me on what to make I want to know if just washing in regular detergent or something else would be better. ???

Karrol and Linda,
Can you tell us what mudcloth is, why it is called that, and where you got it?  I am curious.  I have heard the term before, but I never had the opportunity to ask questions of someone who really knew anything about it.  It must have substance if it would be good for a jacket, right?

I was bookmarking a bunch of fabric websites last night, and I noted a couple of things about mudcloth. It probably caught my eye because I had seen this thread start and had no idea about it.

Mud is used as one of the dyes to create the patterns on the fabric
Detergent will fade the colors

I did NOT notice if the website or two I found mudcloth on recommended a cleaning agent. It may have been on French Connections, french-nc.com. They had a substantial collection of African fabrics as well as French fabrics.

Hope this helps,

BetsyV

Mudcloth is a fabric made of long handwoven cotton strips that are then sewed together (usually with a zigzag stitch) along the long edges. It's then dyed with natural dyes from plant and mineral (earth) substances.  The patterns are usually highly graphic and are representative of nature, animals, plants and flowers, etc. It comes from Mali, South Africa.  Here's a Smithsonian website with more info: http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/mudcloth/index_flash.html.  Try the area to make your own Bogolanfini (mudcloth), it's pretty cool! This fabric is heavy and boldly patterned, so it's well suited for something like a jacket, upholstery, accessories like purses, journal covers, desk accessories, etc.

I washed mine with regular detergent in the washing machine. I'm sure something else would be ok, maybe better, for holding the color, but I figure it gets washed by the people who create in relatively basic ways.  It was not so dear that I can't get another piece.  The only color that faded was the brown, to a lighter golden brown, but it's still a nice color and looks good.  It's much softer after washing. I may actually make a wrap skirt, because it's hanging here after drying, and it just looks like a great slim wrap skirt with fringe.

I purchased mine almost 6 years or so ago.  I bought it at Wacheters in Asheville, NC.  I know there are other websitses where you can purchase, try a Google search.

Karrol, thanks for responding about how you washed it.  I think I may try a detergent for dark colors. :)

Linda, that might help. But according to the research I did on the 'net, it's supposed to lighten when you wash it. A lot of the original dye is still in it when you buy it, so when you wash it, the dye will come out, and it will look faded from the original. Mine still has beautiful dark blacks, it was only the brown that faded to a lighter dark gold tone.