Blue allover printing and dyeing technique enchants students
(english.jsjyt.edu.cn) Updated：2019-12-10
Students use the characteristic blue allover printing and dyeing technique to make handkerchiefs in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on Dec 10. [Photo/sipaphoto.com]
A group of elementary and middle school students from Nantong city in East China's Jiangsu province explored the world of blue and white at the local Blue Calico Museum on Dec 10, local media reported.
A national intangible cultural heritage, the blue allover printing and dyeing technique has been carrying forward in the area since the Mind and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). It invited local youngsters to follow the steps and try their hands at making a handkerchief, which included engraving their desired patterns on the plate, mixing the paste made of soybean flour and lime powder, dyeing the indigo blue onto the cloth, and scraping out the paste to make the cloth blue and white.
According to the report, the interactive activity will engage thousands of primary and middle school students from Nantong to immerse themselves in the blue calico world in the next two weeks.
The activity was organized to enhance the students' understanding of traditional Chinese techniques and experience the beauty of blue and white, as well as the charm of intangible cultural heritages.
Blue cloth with design in white is popular among farmers because of its wear-resistance and sweat-absorption. It plays an important role in farm life and is widely used in daily life. About 95 percent of rural families in Nantong use self-woven white cloth to dye into blue calico and then use it in various household applications.
