Tips and inspiration
We write about the things we love… fabric, sewing, design, and tradition. If our shop is your source for fabulous fabrics, our blog is your source for useful and diverting information on the topics you care most about. Join us for a close look at textiles (silk and all the others), what makes them special, and practical tips for working with them in your sewing. See how particular fabrics fared in our in-house tests. Check out our step-by-step tutorials, useful tips, and reports from the field, including our own Silk Road adventures. Dive into the history of textiles and discover what lies behind the fabrics we use today. Consider this blog your own personal repository of useful knowledge… as well as just a great read.
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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We have put together step-by-step guide on how to sew a face mask. And not just any face mask. This is no pleated rectangle, but a stylish, tailored face protector, that you can wear proudly. If you’ve got a scrap of Sartor brocade lying around, all the better.
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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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Real pearls are a classic that deserve a place in every jewelry box. But how can you tell if your pearls are real? There are a handful of simple tests that will help you recognize whether that lovely set of pearls you saw on sale – and simply must have – are the real thing or not.
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Choosing bridal gown fabrics and laces can be a challenge. If you’re about to take the plunge and feeling a little nervous, it’s no wonder. This is a situation where there’s no room for trial and error. As luck would have it though, many have gone there before you. Here are some practical tips from the front lines to help you on your way.
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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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Rayon is a wide-spread and very popular material. It is comfortable, easy to care for, and comes in many forms. This variety is where the confusion begins. What, for example, is the difference between modal and Tencel? How is rayon made from bamboo different from other kinds of rayon, and what are its benefits? Is there a difference between viscose and rayon?
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How two sisters (that's us – Marcela and Zuzka) came together to make Sartor happen. Here's how it all started...
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