Fibres
Fibres are defined in so many ways. Are they plied? Woven or knit? Felted? Are they plant fibre, animal fibre or synthetic? Things become fibres by the way they are treated.
This is a woman's 18th century sack-back gown made from a light pink and cream silk and ramie fabric. It was chosen to be on display in the Dalhousie University Costume Studies Museum for a year.
The ramie is a plant fibre and is the cream coloured one. They would have been dyed separately before being woven in a damask pattern so it is reversible. This fabric pressed really well and had structure because of the ramie, and smoothness and shine from the silk.
There was a period in my life when I shied away from most synthetic fibres whenever possible. I am uncomfortable with the whole process. This picture from the book,
Fashion and Clothes, by Jack Harvey, 1978, Macdonald Educational, Holywell House, London., illustrates my feelings well.
But synthetic fibres make so many things possible, affordable, and above all else, in my opinion, colourful.
How else would something like a pink, collapsible princess castle be possible and affordable????
So is the dress something you made? Wow how you look at the synthesis of fibres, and dyes and textiles in the world is really interesting. From the ground up, right from the beginning. Here I look at the labels... how is this washed?
ReplyDeleteYes Storm, I made the 18 th. century dress. Tons of work….especially all of the undergarments: corset, panniers, chemise and petticoats.
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