Li People’s Woven Skirt, Hainan, China

Three bands of handwoven fabric are sewn together to create a 9.5 in. wide tubular shaped skirt. Very fine continuous supplementary weaving as well as single-face jacquard weaving techniques are used while the weaver orchestrates her abilities on a backstrap loom. A limited palette of red, yellow, black, and white that have softened to muted shades from wear combined with crisp, geometric design elements combine to produce a textile that is a visually rich and elegant statement.
Adding to the charm of this piece are two native patches. The long rectangular one measures 1×2 in. and has been embroidered with red flower or star shapes that have been outlined in yellow. The smaller square patch measuring 1×1 in. features a tiny anthropomorphic figure and white metal strips. With further investigation the patches are not placed for the purposes of covering holes but actually extenders to the last panel to reach the length of the adjacent panels. The material added is from a much older skirt, possibly the weaver’s mother.
This skirt is sold as a set with our Li jacket.