This natural oatmeal cotton fabric is woven in a 4/4 basket weave (there may be more than four yarns in each direction), making for a rough, heavy, coarse and saggy cloth. It may have gotten the name from being used in monasteries as a penitent’s sack cloth garment. It was originally also made of flax, jute or hemp. The fabric is less commonly dyed or woven in stripes or plaids. Also called abbot’s cloth, belfry cloth, bishop’s cloth, cloister cloth, druid’s cloth, friar’s cloth and mission cloth.
Uses: Draperies and other household decorations
