Cloth

Unknown artist

Dark blue fabric with a white cut-out motif. The motif consists of lines which are always about 14 cm parallel, and then about 20 cm zigzagging thus forming squares of about 6 X 6 cm. The parallel lines run lengthwise on the fabric. The pattern is sewn with a sewing machine and the fabric is dyed in natural indigo. The technique is called 'Machine-Tie' (see M6-46).\Format: This pattern is typically an example of how patterns sewn by sewing machine can also be particularly beautiful.\This lapa was purchased in Makeni in early 1984. It is typical of Gara produced on a large scale (Gerbrands, 1987, p.16-23).\The lapa has a longitudinal seam in the fabric which has come loose on both sides by about 6 cm. The white pattern has yellowed completely here and there, especially evident on the back of the fabric. K.K. Gerbrands suspects that this is due to the effect of sunlight. The cloth has probably been for sale for a long time (too long) in the street stall in Makeni - probably because there was only one left (lapas are usually sold in pairs).