Mudcloth / Bogolan Fabric - 025

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 On narrow looms, strips of cotton fabric are woven and stitched into large pieces of cloth. The cloth is soaked in a dye bath made from leaves of the n'gallama tree that have been mashed and boiled, or soaked. Now yellow, the cloth is sun-dried and then painted with designs using a piece of metal or wood. The paint, carefully and repeatedly applied to outline the intricate motifs, is a special mud, collected from riverbeds and fermented for up to a year in a clay jar. A chemical reaction between the mud and the dyed cloth causes the brown color to remain after the mud is washed off. Finally, the yellow n'gallama dye is removed from the unpainted parts of the cloth by applying soap or bleach, rendering the finished cloth white. 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