Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Navy and White: Traditional Chinese Indigo Fabrics

My brother J and sister-in-law C are building a fabulous new home. She's thinking navy and white fabrics might be a great way to pull together the open floor plan of the new place and go mix with the furniture she already owns. She also loves ethnic fabrics as she's lived - among other places - in Turkey and Japan!
 
When we got together at my parent's house, I remembered about a decade ago I bought some traditional Chinese indigo fabric for my Mom at the Lyndhurst Craft Show where I had a jewelry booth. I took with a quick look down in my parent's basement, and actually found the fabric! I admit I am growing more and more fond of navy and white. Isn't this fabric fantastic?

{hand stenciled}
I bought it from a woman named Shengzhu. The textiles are from her "TC Collection" and I was able to still find her website. It's made in the traditional way with pure cotton cloth, lime, sticky rice and soya using hand-cut stencils.  It's dyed with the indigo carmine extracted from the blue grass (DAQING or BANLAN).

 
I am so impressed by the handmade quality and care that went into this fabric. Navy and White is such a classic pairing. Isn't this little flower print lovely?

{love the birds!}
Are you a Navy and White fan? What would you make with this fabric?

Loretta

12 comments:

  1. ADORE navy and white. And love these fabrics - thank you for the like to their site - hopping over now!!

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  2. Stacey- There are a few pictures of Shengzhu making the pretty fabrics on her site. It's very labor-intensive!

    When I was in her booth she sold some yardage, but mostly sewed the fabrics into clothing and bags to sell.

    Loretta

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  3. I just love navy and white -- I've been wanting to take a fussy antique side chair and cover it with a fun and lively fabric...

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  4. These patterns are beautiful. I can't wait to see what you come up with for them!

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  5. Carrie- Cannot wait to visit your new home!

    Loretta

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  6. They are so beautiful! I love navy and white and am excited to see what you come up with!!

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  7. Lately I have been more and more drawn to navy and white. I already have my house going in a teal and aqua direction, but I really do like a navy and white aesthetic too.

    xo Mary Jo

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  8. While I'm not a blue and white person I can appreciate these fabrics as I know how labor intensive they can be. It'll be fun to see what your sister-in-law does!

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  9. I'm a huge fan of blue and white and these are all fabulous. They would look great anywhere. You know they make everything crisp yet interesting yet very beachy.

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  10. nice post. Now you can use these business pages directory for bulk silk fabrics import & export business.

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