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The Story of Making a Hmong Skirt
The Story of Making a Hmong Skirt
The Story of Making a Hmong Skirt

The Story of Making a Hmong Skirt

Artist May Nao Ly
MediumCotton embroidery and applique
Dimensions32 3/8 x 33 3/8 in. (82.2 x 84.8 cm)
ClassificationsTextile
Credit LineSeattle Public Utilities 1% for Art Portable Works Collection
The embroidery and applique techniques practiced by the Hmong women are ancient, related to those found in Northern and Central China over 2,000 years ago. They preserved their stories and folk tales with their embroidered quilts. Although other Asian groups use similar kinds of techniques, these colors and designs are unique to the Hmong. Here, the importance of village life is depicted. After spending time in refugee camps in Thailand after the Vietnam War, many Hmong settled in the U.S. May Nao Ly is located in the Spokane area.