Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource - UNEP

9. Weaving: Water is sprayed on the thread as it is being woven because
if it becomes dry the thread will break. It is best, therefore, to weave
this cloth during the rainy season in May and June.
10. Washing: When a bolt of cloth has been woven it is washed. Then it is
put in an alkali solution and boiled. Afterward it is washed and dried. It
is then neutralized by immersing it in a rice vinegar made from
fermenting a rice gruel and rice flour. After two hours the cloth is
removed, washed and partially dried. The cloth is then stretched and
straightened by hand and finally ironed.
Advantages to Developing Countries
Woven from fibers taken from the banana tree, banana fiber cloth is highly
representative of the weaving of Okinawa. It was very popular for making a
piece of summer-weight formal dress called kamishimo in the Edo period
(1600-1868) and being light and comfortable to wear, it is still a great favorite
with many people today for kimono in the height of summer. But kimono are
not its only use. Some is made into obi, while other pieces make fine cushion
covers. Ties, bags and table centers are also made of this engaging cloth,
which also makes fine split curtains or noren. There are 52 people employed
by the 27 firms producing one of Okinawa's finest cloths.
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