Mud Cloth: A Love Affair
If you have been around for any length of time, then you are well aware of my love affair with mud cloth. I’ve been using mud cloth pillows in my home for about three years. I haven’t changed them out in that time-which speaks to their timelessness and not necessarily my laziness. You can scroll through my Instagram feed and see the same large black cover and the large white lumbar in basically every living room photo I have. The only time I switch them out is at Christmas time.
What is the big deal?
The biggest draw for adding mud cloth into your home would be pattern and texture. It’s so easy to add a stripe, a plaid, a solid, or even a floral. But adding the unique patterns found on authentic mud cloth gives your home a bit of a global, well traveled flair. The cloth is made from thin strips of fabric sewn together and then dyed with various plant based dyes. Traditionally patterns would be painted into the fabric using mud from rivers and streams. After drying in the sun, the excess mud was washed off. Hence the name. This method is typically found in the northern parts of Africa, more specific to Mali.
Stitched Together
You can see the line of the fabric that has been sewn together. Each strip is 4 to 5 inches in width. Depending on how I decide to orient the fabric, the strips may run horizontally or vertically.
Patterns and Colors
There are SO many options. The two most common are a black fabric with white pattern, and then a white fabric with black pattern. I also try to keep a white fabric with gray pattern. Mustard mud cloth with a white pattern is really popular as well. Other colors can range from a rusty brown, gray fabric with black or white pattern, and even fabrics with pinks and greens. The colors and options for my shop are different all the time and based on availability.
Mustard Mud Cloth
A bold color that is perfect for spring, summer, and fall. In my research on pattern symbols, the “X” or cross image represents luxury. Specifically, the pillows in which wealthy women would lay their heads on.
New to the Shop
If you have read this far, then you should most certainly be rewarded with photos of new pillows. I have two new pillows hitting the shop this week. You get the first look at them in their entirety. I have posted little corner shots of them, but you guys - you get the whole enchilada.
The first is our Tapestry Pillow Cover. It has a lot of beautiful colors in it. Blues, Rust Reds, Greens, hints of pinks - like a true tapestry. The fabric is close to a chenille or velvet. It’s really soft and makes an excellent couch pillow.
The second is our Birds of a Feather pillow cover. Really neutral colors with brown, taupes, and cream. This would look lovely with a monotone color palette. It’s light and crisp and is a great pattern for your home.
Thank you so much for reading. If you haven’t already made the rounds of various social media where you can follow me - I would love it if you would come along! Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook - the gang’s all here! (Name that movie!?)
