Apron

Weaving in Tibet is the traditional occupation of women. Closely woven work, such as this apron, are famous for their durability and are highly prized. Woven on a loin loom with a narrow warp, the fabric is used to make women's aprons and skirts. 13 widths of fabric sewn together make the traditional blanket of southern Tibet. An apron is an everyday feature of women's dress and may be worn on either the front or the back. It is worn around the waist over the long black dress (baku) and partly helps to secure the skirt. The fabric can be purchased in the market in an endless variety of colours and patterns, sold as it comes off the loom, ready to be cut into 3 lengths and sewn into an apron. These are usually backed with mill cloth. Apron pieces are always sewn together so that the stripes of the centre panel are offset.

worn by women

Plain weave, cotton apron; tightly woven with a firm texture. Three pieces of fabric are joined by two machine stitched seams. Long self-covered ties on each side. Lined with green sized mill cotton, printed with floral pattern. The design of the fabric is narrow horizontal stripes of identical width in deep shades of green, reds and blue, sewn together to offset stripes of centre panel.