Vintage Sashiko Zokin Cleaning Cloths

Rough cleaning cloths like this were often the last  phase in the  life of an old garment.  Children had to make them for  cleaning their classrooms and grandmas sat and made bundles of them  - which I think is why unused ones turn up fairly regularly.  The lines of  non-decorative stitching  hark back to the origins of sashiko as primarily a way to  join and reinforce layers  of cotton for a more durable cloth.   These zokin  have three  layers and the thread is an unplied  natural fibre probably hemp. They measure approximately 22cm x 32cm.   Zokin means general purpose cloth - it could  also be called a fukin (wiping cloth) . Mid 20th century.

Price includes GST and regular postage within Australia