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also see: Make + Model: Juju Hats
Ethnic and tribal prints are permeating the design worldand this trend shows no sign of letting down. These bold and interesting patterns are seen in fabrics, pillows, and rugs, but also can be found in less expected arenas like mirrors, artwork, and home accessories. No matter how you go about it, incorporating this element into your décor can add a layer of culture and sophistication.
MAKE: Bamana peoples of Mali, West Africa
MODEL: Mud cloths (bogolanfini)
Each piece of mud cloth has a story to tell. The symbols, the arrangement, color and shape, all reveal different secrets. Social status, characters and occupationthese can all be communicated through a piece of mud cloth.
The Bamana peoples of Mali, West Africa take a lot of time in the process, normally four days to a week to complete a cloth. Each piece is 100% cotton, and is completely hand-made. The process starts by weaving cotton thread on a loom which is normally hand-held and makes a strip of cloth 5-6 inches wide. After weaving, approximately nine of these panels are sewn together. The panels in my shop are 64x43.
A mud cloth artist deals in a specific field and each "concept" is taught and learned over a long period of time. Those wishing to work in the art of
mud cloth must to be taught how to make each of the different dyes out of organic substances, as well as the science of how each will react with the fabric. The first step to printing is to set the cloth in a fixative solution made from tea. The mud designs are then hand painted and the tea sets into the fabric.
Using twigs or metal instruments the artist paints the designs with the mud, saturating the area so it will not wash out. After being laundered, the process is repeated, dried, and put into another solution in order to make patterns more prominent. On black and white fabric, a soda is painted on the areas with no patterns causing them to be white.
See more Mud Cloth design inspiration on Pinterest!
Brandy Adams is the owner and curator of Nashville-based Make + Model a style studio and online shop.