CARAAMON at 10:17, 27 January 2011

2011-01-27T10:17:55Z

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	teacher, who murmured often, "Never waste a stitch."		teacher, who murmured often, "Never waste a stitch."


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Maintenance script: Book:RosOSL moved to Of Silk and Lace (book)

2007-11-19T13:42:19Z

Book:RosOSL moved to Of Silk and Lace (book)

← Older revision	Revision as of 08:42, 19 November 2007
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	==Of Silk and Lace==		==Of Silk and Lace==
	by Osylvea Surianis of Shard		by [[Osylvea]] Surianis of Shard

	There was a time when I crafted garments only for a		There was a time when I crafted garments only for a
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	them.		them.

	It is said that the first Ferdahl, Silvathrew,		It is said that the first [[Ferdahl]], [[Silvathrew]],
	accidentally discovered silk when she discovered a		accidentally discovered silk when she discovered a
	humble silkworm in her bedchamber, and, in fact, on		humble silkworm in her bedchamber, and, in fact, on
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	destroyed by horrible cuts and pointless adornments.		destroyed by horrible cuts and pointless adornments.
	I will conclude with the wise words of my own		I will conclude with the wise words of my own
	teacher, who murmured often, "Never waste a stitch."		teacher, who murmured often, "Never waste a stitch."

	[[Category:Book]]		[[Category:Book]]

Maintenance script: New page: ==Of Silk and Lace== by Osylvea Surianis of Shard There was a time when I crafted garments onl...

2007-05-07T03:04:52Z

New page: ==Of Silk and Lace== by Osylvea Surianis of Shard There was a time when I crafted garments onl...

New page

==Of Silk and Lace==
by Osylvea Surianis of Shard

There was a time when I crafted garments only for a
select clientele, men and ladies of both taste and
means. Each creation was a work of adoration, a
coming together of my art and their desires. My
clients knew what to ask for, and I knew how to make
their requests into durable, beautiful garments. As
my work grew more popular, it became necessary to
take on more assistants, and to teach them my ways,
just as my teacher taught me his.

I have traveled the lands. I have seen the most
flagrant misapplications of style I could imagine.
Time and time again, I am asked to create horrible
mistakes in silk and lace. As it pains me to see
fine fabrics and weaves misused, I shall endeavor to
tell the history of these materials as I have learned
them.

It is said that the first Ferdahl, Silvathrew,
accidentally discovered silk when she discovered a
humble silkworm in her bedchamber, and, in fact, on
her very pillow. As she lifted it in disgust to be
rid of it, she noticed a cocoon of silk attached to
the tiny thing. Thus was born an essential component
of Elothean vesture.

Elothean silk, in particular, is collected from
secret sorts of silkworms that are raised on lotus
leaves, at a precise temperature known only to their
caretakers. The worms feed and they feed, in hopes
of someday spinning perfect cocoons. The cocoons are
gathered and dipped in hot water to loosen them, and
then they are unspun, to be given to the spinners and
weavers who refine it. Silk filaments are extremely
fine, and so a single thread requires five to ten of
them.

In many families, a proper upbringing includes
practice in reeling, spinning, dyeing, and
embroidery. It takes much time to create such a
beautiful, versatile fabric, but Elothean patience is
legendary. With practice comes excellence!

In the beginning, only the Ferdahl wore garments of
silk. It was that rare and that fine. Not only is
it light, but it is strong. When it is hot, it
keeps one cool, and when it is cold, it keeps one
warm. Over time, as the precious fabric grew more
abundant, others began wearing it. Silk tunics
and robes soon became common dress. In these modern
times, everyone wears silk.

Not only is the material itself exceptional, but so
is the weave. A proper weave will highlight the best
qualities of silk, drawing attention to its luster
and preserving its strength for years to come. In
any form, silk drapes well, dyes beautifully,
caresses the body, and shines with a radiance all its
own.

* Raw silk possesses a uniquely coarse texture most suitable for outer garments and for draperies and the like. The threads are slightly knotted, lending a sturdy comfort to any garment sewn from it.

* Silk broadcloth (what is meant when most mention "silk") is a mainstay of everyday wear, as it is a plain weave and can be woven in many weights. The ideal silk broadcloth is both crisp and smooth.

* Silk linen resembles common linen (which is made from plant fibers), with its rough surface, but is both more flexible and less prone to wrinkling.

* Striped silk and checkered silk are oddly named, for they are not actually striped or checkered. In both weaves, smooth silk and rough silk are alternated to create texture. Each complements the other to magnificent effect.

* Silk brocade is the pride of Elotheans everywhere. Boasting rich, raised designs in vivid, shimmering colors, it is as much art as it is something to wear.

These are only the most common. Of course, there are
fancy, light weaves used in modern day finery, but
these are not the traditional weaves, but have been
developed recently.

Then there is the matter of Elothean lace. I feel
compelled to write that Elotheans likely did not
invent lace. However, we have improved it. It
has been suggested that the Elves, specifically the
City Elves, first introduced us to lace. In time,
either by our own curiosity or by request from those
Elves, we made it, too, and then we changed it. Be
aware, however, that there is no easy way to stitch
lace.

Elven lace seems to me to have a certain frothy
quality, as foam upon moving water. Elothean lace,
on the other hand, is ethereal and wispy, looking
more like the intricate web of a spider. This can be
explained by taste and by construction.

Originally, the beginning of a piece of lace involved
a piece of parchment upon which needle-pricks were
made, forming a pattern. That pattern would
then be affixed to a cushion, and then stitching
would commence, crossing and twisting pairs of
threads. Each row held in place by support pins,
work would continue below.

Elothean lace is stitched without parchment or
cushion, but into the air. Tiny buttonhole stitches
form a frame, and then that frame is filled with
pattern stitches. Perhaps it is our nimble fingers
that allows us to work this way, or perhaps it is our
experience with embroidery.

Lace, all lace, is extremely delicate. Even when
made from the sturdiest threads, its very nature is
its downfall, those arrays of painstaking stitches
that are so prone to snagging on anything at all.
Our lace is quite popular among the women of Zoluren,
and so gladly we send it there.

I pray that this writing will bring sense to those
who care to order and wear garments that display appropriate
taste and construction. Too often, beautiful fabrics are
destroyed by horrible cuts and pointless adornments.
I will conclude with the wise words of my own
teacher, who murmured often, "Never waste a stitch."
[[Category:Book]]

Of Silk and Lace (book) - Revision history

CARAAMON at 10:17, 27 January 2011

Maintenance script: Book:RosOSL moved to Of Silk and Lace (book)

Maintenance script at 23:49, 6 November 2007

Maintenance script: New page: ==Of Silk and Lace== by Osylvea Surianis of Shard There was a time when I crafted garments onl...