Of interest
Did you know that we personally visit our overseas suppliers when we purchase our silks? That means regular travel to Asia, specifically to India and China, where, in addition to goods, we pick up lots of new experiences and discoveries. We gather inspiration in other places too, not just on our business trips – at museums, historical reenactments, workshops, and from the DIY crowd. We try to share a bit of what we learn on our Silk Road travels and our forays near and far. Our reports from the field will bring the world of textiles closer to home.
Animal prints, Baroque bling, Kente cloth… it’s tough to keep up with the latest patterns, but one never goes out of style. Coco Chanel knew it, and we agree – every woman worth her salt should have some stripes in the closet. Sew yourself a cool French sailor’s tee, some wild culottes, or a prim little duvet cover. Go on, show your stripes.
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Fabric weight is one of the key elements in any fabric description. It’s an indicator of what a cloth is actually made of and what it could be good for. In online fabric shops you’ll find it listed alongside textile content and width, in brick-and-mortar shops it’s on the sticker at the end of the bolt. So, what exactly does it tell you?
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Planning a historical costume but you’re not sure which fabric to choose? No need to wade through piles of history books – we’ve done the research for you. This short guide to historical wools covers everything from traditional wool processing techniques to pointers for choosing an authentic weave.
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Fertoch, jupka, kandus, rozplasenka, serka! When we talk about traditional folk costumes – “kroj” in Bohemia (or Silesia, Moravia, and Slovakia for that matter) it means grappling with a whole new vocabulary. I learned that the hard way when I set off this February on a quick information gathering trip to western Bohemia. We were working on a new brocade in our historical reproduction series… and for the first time ever, I had a living, breathing first-hand source to answer my questions!
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It’s common knowledge that silk is made from the snow-white cocoon of the mulberry silk moth. But how do we go from that tightly spun wad to a perfect, endless thread? The secret of silk production was closely guarded by the Chinese court for millennia and those who would talk faced death. Yet it turns out that all you need if you’d like to see how it works, is a cup of warm water...
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Historical reenactments, battles, swordsmanship, medieval costumes and crafts… There’s a whole world out there that’s out of this world. People from all walks of life shed their everyday identities and get together to make the past come alive. The calendar is packed with fantastic events to thrill and inspire you.
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The hall explodes in frenzied activity as brokers rush to buy and sell. Deals are struck. Fortunes are made. But we’re not on Wall Street. And it’s not stocks and bonds trading hands… It’s silkworm cocoons. Welcome to the great cocoon market in Karnataka, where our Indian silks begin their journey to you.
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It all started with the two of us, Marcela and Zuzka, sisters and pals. One day we got together to write a business plan and… stop! That’s not how it happened at all. The path that led to opening this unique shop was unique in and of itself, tracing an arc through faraway lands, and it took its own sweet time.
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