Laos Cotton Fabric: Earth-Tone Stripes

This earth-toned handwoven fabric from Laos uses locally grown and naturally dyed fine-weight cotton. The cloth is balanced plain weave with narrow warp stripes of yellow, red, light brown, white, and olive that repeat across the cloth in varying widths and intervals. The mustard weft gives the fabric a muted tone.

A variety of natural dyes are used in this cloth. White is the natural color of the cotton. The olive color is obtained from houkouang (Terminalia catappa); red is from fangdeng (Caesalpinia sappan); light brown is from Kheng (Dialium cochinchinensis); yellow is dyed with linmai (Indian trumpet). The mustard yellow weft is dyed with Hem (Coscinium fenestratum).

The fabric is light-weight yet strong with a good drape, making it suitable for interiors or clothing like shirts. Hand wash it in cold water and air dry. The fabric is sold by the yard.

Opened in 1992 by Director Rassanikone Nanong, Nikone Handicraft Centre is regenerating traditional Lao weaving and dyeing to produce textiles for modern interiors. More than 100 skilled weavers from villages in Vientiane create 100% handwoven naturally-dyed Lao silk and cotton fabrics, plus gift items, fashion accessories and home decor accessories.