DETAILS:

The Java one-of-a-kind throw pillow features traditional ethnic Hmong embroidery on indigo hemp and a traditionally inspired contemporary ikat from Indonesia. The center panel is made from a vintage Hmong jacket and embellished with seed beads. It is a unique decorative pillow that will add an element of ethnic distinctiveness to any room in which it is displayed.

• 19” x 19”

• Front—cotton, hemp

• Back—linen, in beige

• Zipper closure

• Down feather insert

• Fabric origins: Vietnam, Indonesia

THE STORY:

The Blue Hmong throw pillow tells such a story about distinctive textile handcrafts from two countries known for their cultural and ethnic diversity. From the first times I traveled to each of these places, I was drawn to their beautiful textiles and so appreciated their traditional cultural reverence.

During the six visits I have made to Vietnam, not once did I have the opportunity to visit the Hill Tribes in the northern part of Vietnam, but I must admit that the textiles produced by the Hill Tribes are notably some of my favorites. The center section of this pillow is from a vintage Hmong jacket. The indigo hemp fabric is spun, woven, and dyed by hand, then finished with a decorative appliqued fabric featuring traditional Hmong “flower” motif embroidery.

When visiting Craft Link, a fair trade organization in Hanoi whose mission is to support ethnic minority groups and traditional craft producers to revive and promote traditional culture and skills through handicraft production, I was able to collect many beautiful examples of the textiles made by the Hill Tribe women and products from the Craft Link shop as well.

The fabrics featured on both sides of the accent pillow are beautiful traditional and contemporary examples of the intricate patterns achieved by Indonesian ikat, the exact art of wrapping warp threads to form a resist before submerging the warp into the dye bath. Ikat requires the re-wrapping of threads if more than one color is used in the fabric. It’s a very precise technique that ensures a consistent pattern. I purchased the Indonesian fabrics used in this decorative accent pillow from Pekerti, a fair trade organization I have worked with for many years which is located on the island of Java. My first visit was in 1992 as a consultant of SERRV International and then years later, as a Buyer for SERRV. The first visit opened my eyes to the beautiful ikat weaving of Indonesia.

Seed buttons embellish the indigo hemp fabric.