Mud Cloth Coin Purse
These stylish coin purses are the perfect size for coins or small objects that you need to keep contained!
What is mud cloth?
The process for making mud cloth dates back to the 12th century. Narrow strips of hand-woven cotton are dyed in a bath full of tree branches and leaves. The branches and leaves dye the cloth a yellowish hue. Next the cloth is dried in the sun, where it is decorated with dark mud. Once the mud has turned gray, the excess is scraped off. This process of applying and removing mud is repeated several times over until the muddy areas become permanently dark. The mud itself is mixed with a water or tea substance, and set aside for a year before it is put to use on cloth.
The yellow areas are bleached, and the cloth is left in the sun longer so the bleach can take affect. When the excess bleach is removed you have the desired pattern of white on a dark background.
In spite of its thick, rough texture, traditional mud cloth is made with 100% cotton. It’s what’s done to that cotton that achieves the end result. The cloth is usually a cream color before it’s dyed.
Since these are all made by hand, patterns vary. However, they are similar to what is shown in the picture.