Here’s a fab indigo tie-dye cotton from Dali City, Yunnan in western China. It was once a hair scrunchie, but the elastic gave out. I couldn’t bear to just throw it away, so I cut it open and saved the fabric to use in a miniature quilt or maybe some jewelry.

If I had known any better of course I would have bought yards and yards of amazing indigo in both tie-dye and batik. At the time (1993) I was unfortunately not a quilter, so I hadn’t a clue of the wonderful things that one could create with fabrics like this. I did know at least, that I really liked the indigo fabric, so I bought various articles made from it. The local women were not only talented in making the fabric, but they also sewed up all kinds of clever articles to sell and help support their families.

Here’s one of the indigo vendors and her roadside shop. She is wearing traditional dress and you can see some colorful embroidered tote bags as well.

Here’s a view down an alley in Dali.

Taking a break from the city sights, that’s me in the middle.

happy fabric hunting! =(^_^)=