A Beautifully Mended and Indigo Toned Cotton Work Coat: Hand Woven Cotton

early twentieth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 34" x 48", 86.5 cm x 122 cm

This marvelous, patched and mended indigo dyed work coat is shown inside-out in order to highlight its construction of re-purposed materials as well as to show off its wonderful patching and mending.

The base cloth is wonderful to look at: it is of richly colored indigo dyed cotton, the cotton is hand woven from heavy yarns so the cloth itself is thick, heavy and durable.

The uneven, striated fading to the cloth seems to suggest that the yarns were dyed before the cloth was woven, as opposed to dipping a bolt of already-woven cloth into a vat of dye.

As is clear from the photos this work coat has a lot of visual interest as well as a great personal history.

Looking at the back of the coat, by the fading patterns, we can tell that this coat was re-made from another garment. The good deal of patching also shows a nice indication of lots of wear to the garment as well as it indicates that this garment was intended to be worn for a good, long time to come.

The sleeves are composed of scraps of different types of cotton than the body of the coat which is not surprising: sleeves and collars were put on and taken off at will, they were changed if they wore out or they would be taken off if not needed.

This is a wonderfully good, old boro jacket offered here at a friendly price--certainly it is an inspiration to those who mend their clothing or those interested in Japanese rural work wear.

Recommended.