Yao (Iu Mien) needlework pants panel in Houa Khong Province

Photographer

Bowman, James

Date

• 1973

Summary

• This photograph of a Yao (Iu Mien) pants panel shows the extensive needlework designs that go into making one panel. The Yao women wear pants that have highly decorative needlework designs sewn on the panels. Completed panels will be worn on the front. This panel is a black plain weave with yellow, red, white, orange and green cross stitch. The threads were commercially made, but previously all color threads were made from vegetal dyes.