Mali: Part Three--Mud Cloth in the Making

Step 1: Pagne (120 cm x 2 m pieces of hand-woven fabric) are dipped in the first tub setting the fabric to receive color. First the fabrics soak in a plant dye called N' galama. The N' galama is a yellow color and sets the fabric to take the other mud and plant dyes.

A few of the artisans spreading out the first layer of color (mud).
Grey base color (made from mud) drying in the hot, Malian sun
Drawing the "Mondrian-esque" pattern with a bleach and soap solution. Drying in the yard after drawing the pattern with the bleach/soap solution. I was tempted to stop the process here I loved it so much!

Ta-da..."Grillage". The subtle green (plant), tan (mud), and rose (bark) colors turned out perfect! My favorite of the 5 new mud cloth prints will be available this Spring in pillows and as a pouf.

I feel so lucky to have been able to work in such an amazing environment with such talented artisans. The founder, Boubacar Doumbia, started the studio to be able to address the unemployment issues in Mali by providing young men an opportunity to learn a skill, receive a fair income, and a sense of pride in their work.