Before I put my baby carrier away I thought I would share with you a small piece that I bought at the same time. I am presuming that it is Dong and also that it may be the bottom piece (tail as I have called it in the Dong babycarrier thread) from the bottom of a baby carrier. When I bought it I was told it was from a boy's baby carrier. I can't guess why.
The central panel is very, very fine weaving (the white thread seems to be silk) but I think that the coloured (silk) threads in the centre of some motifs may be embroidered. The bottom (rather worn) is silk embroidery over some kind of stuffing - can't guess that make-up. The central panel is framed at the sides with red (bought, machine woven) fabric with tiny silk embroidered cross-stitch. There is fine machine stitching sewing this and a plain framing bad. The indigo background fabric seems to be hand spun/woven.
On the reverse is an applied strip of woven indigo and natural cotton hand spun and woven fabric which I suppose gives some extra strength and firmness to the piece.
In 'Ethnic costume from Guizhou: Clothing Designs and Decorations from Minority Ethnic Groups in Southwest China' (see China bibliography on the main tti site) on page 57 there is a Dong apron with an almost identical piece of weaving.
I was attracted by the very fine weaving of the central panel. I just cannot resist the skill of such fine work.
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Pamela
http://www.tribaltextiles.infoon-line tribal textiles resource