Discovering our clothes

I started this blog because one of my goals for Brass Tacks was to provide more information about textile crafts and the artisans who produce them. Every time I sit down to write a post however, I have so much to share about my work and some of the problems I face with production and sales that the information about the textile crafts and craftsmen are not as accessible as I’d like it to be.

I recently stumbled upon a site that explained beautifully and concisely the process of mud block printing in Mali (West Africa). This site was particularly memorable for its interactive learning tool that allows you to make your own mud cloth. Following (and doing) each step helps you learn the different processes involved and also cultivate an appreciation for the painstaking methods.

For me the learning tool was special because it shows you how connected the bogolanfini technique is to nature (the name in Bambara means "earthcloth") and how quality was not compromised even though it meant additional work. I sometimes wonder if people would have a greater appreciation for traditional textile crafts if they knew how much work and how much precision it involves. Perhaps it is just a question of taste (i.e. do people like how the end product looks or not), but I do know that when I am intrigued by a story surrounding a craft, then I want to know more about it and that knowledge then inspires in me a fascination for the craft technique as well as the end product.

I was thinking that maybe I should have an encyclopedia of some sort with text, pictures and interactive steps to demonstrate the history and technique of some of the textile crafts I use regularly. I know that the Craft Revival Trust already has a directory of crafts with a write-up, pictures and a list of craftsmen, but the text can sometimes be quite long and detailed for someone who wants to quickly get an overview of the process. Not to overlook the work that Craft Revival Trust has done though- their website is a terrific resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Indian textile crafts. I just think having that information on my site will help people connect the crafts to the garments, and in doing that it will hopefully generate more interest and pride in the crafts, the process, and the craftsmen.

Here is a link to the site that has inspired me to have interactive learning tools on my site:
Make your own Bogolanfini! http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/mudcloth/index_flash.html