Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #threadtalk
Most recents (24)
1 - Dim the lights, grab the popcorn: #threadtalk is going to the (creepy) movies. 🎃🍿🥤
This special edition features a broad list of films that haunt, terrify & sometimes titillate--but always with style. Horror, musicals, cartoons (& odd Disney choices) we've got 'em all. 🔪
This special edition features a broad list of films that haunt, terrify & sometimes titillate--but always with style. Horror, musicals, cartoons (& odd Disney choices) we've got 'em all. 🔪
2 - NOTE: Inclusion in this list does not mean my personal approval of their director(s), creator(s), actors, producers, etc. Hollywood is nasty on a good day, & some of these films have not aged well.
These are pulled from *my* personal experience in horror films. So, YMMV.
These are pulled from *my* personal experience in horror films. So, YMMV.
3 - I'm beginning with ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968). Starring Mia Farrow as the mother of a the spawn of Satan himself, I definitely saw this movie way too young (thanks, Mom!).
The poster it fantastic, but it's Farrow's innocent pastel wardrobe that makes the fashion statement.
The poster it fantastic, but it's Farrow's innocent pastel wardrobe that makes the fashion statement.
1 - 🎃 Welcome to #ThreadTalk! It's the spookiest month & we're jumping right in with a look at ghostly garb👻!
Thrills, chills & blood-curdling horrors await as we take a trip through history & ask the question: "Okay, but what would that ghost *actually* be wearing?" 🎃
Thrills, chills & blood-curdling horrors await as we take a trip through history & ask the question: "Okay, but what would that ghost *actually* be wearing?" 🎃
2 - We're starting in Japan. Because Japan has the best ghosts & my favorite art. Yūrei (幽霊) are closer to a Western concept of ghosts, but spirits of all kinds are common through Japanese folklore.
This one is from the incredible Bakemono no e, dating from around 1700.
This one is from the incredible Bakemono no e, dating from around 1700.
3 - The Yūrei are often depicted as women with long, black hair. By the date of this print, I'd say a kosode (a kimono precursor) would be a good match.
The colors are natural, pale, haunting. You see in the embroidered closeup, too, all the sea grass & shellwork. Just wow.
The colors are natural, pale, haunting. You see in the embroidered closeup, too, all the sea grass & shellwork. Just wow.
1 - It's time for #threadtalk! Today's topic, the Grand Dame of Damask: Anna Maria Garthwaite.
This silk icon has quite a tale, but so does her stomping ground of Spitalfields, London.
And beyond the frippery? The horrors of 18thC England: persecution, riots & taxes🕍🔪💷
This silk icon has quite a tale, but so does her stomping ground of Spitalfields, London.
And beyond the frippery? The horrors of 18thC England: persecution, riots & taxes🕍🔪💷
2 - Anna Maria was born in 1688 in Lincolnshire, to Rev. Ephraim Garthwaite & Rejoyce (rad name). The family was well to do & Anna Maria would have had a basic education. She showed early artistic prowess, like in this 1707 cut-paper work of a village w/remarkable detail.
3 - I mean, look at the incredible detail on this. Each and every tree has a different shape & leaf pattern, far beyond basic representation. The little horse and rider, the delicate horns on the deer. Painstaking work here that foreshadows the skill of an artist, to be certain.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk, #LaborDay edition. Our topic? Mills, Strikes & Textile Labor.
Buckle up, though. There is a distinct lack of dazzle today.
We're meeting the makers & laborers of apparel history--& how they lived & died for their craft.
Buckle up, though. There is a distinct lack of dazzle today.
We're meeting the makers & laborers of apparel history--& how they lived & died for their craft.
2 - In Asia, & China specifically, silk became one of the first real fabric blockbusters for trade during the Han Dynasty, beginning the Silk Road.
Traditionally, weaving was left to women while men farmed & sold, and this continued as trade grew.
Traditionally, weaving was left to women while men farmed & sold, and this continued as trade grew.
3 - Francesca Bray puts it simply in "Textile Production & Gender Roles":“The growth of the textile industry involved new forms of organization of production that made men the skilled workers and marginalized women.”
This is by no means unique to China. It's the story of fabric.
This is by no means unique to China. It's the story of fabric.
1 - Hey folks! It's a surprise #threadtalk on the medieval theme of the moment: #TheGreenKnight! I just had to come out of hibernation to talk about what I saw in the theater.
Velvet! Crêpe! CROWNS! Pentagrams! I've got you covered. Well, at least *partially*. 📗🪓
Velvet! Crêpe! CROWNS! Pentagrams! I've got you covered. Well, at least *partially*. 📗🪓
2 - Yes, we're starting with that cloak & color choice. Keeping things spoiler-free here, Gawain is seen wearing a golden velvet cloak very early on.
It's quilted, so nice & warm. It's golden, but also a bit ochre--yellow can mean golden, but also... well, cowardice, y'know?
It's quilted, so nice & warm. It's golden, but also a bit ochre--yellow can mean golden, but also... well, cowardice, y'know?
3 - Velvet is a perfect choice for the nephew of Arthur. It's HELLA expensive (as we've covered; links later). This is SILK velvet. Not polyester crap from the 70s. And it takes skilled labor beyond reasoning to make.
But it also *absorbs light*. I feel like this is essential.
But it also *absorbs light*. I feel like this is essential.
1 - Tonight's #threadtalk is a horse of a different color: green to be exact.
We'll talk emerald🟩, verdigris & olive🫒, too. Plus the connection between wallpaper, poison☠️ & privilege.
First: some color history back to our (literal) roots. (below, Redincote, 1786 - 1789)
We'll talk emerald🟩, verdigris & olive🫒, too. Plus the connection between wallpaper, poison☠️ & privilege.
First: some color history back to our (literal) roots. (below, Redincote, 1786 - 1789)
2 - If you peruse art history books, you'll notice: finding vibrant green dresses before the 18th century is quite a challenge.
And there is a reason for that: green it a notoriously difficult color to capture affordably & reliably.
Unless you're, you know...
And there is a reason for that: green it a notoriously difficult color to capture affordably & reliably.
Unless you're, you know...
3 - And even so, truly vibrant greens are even harder to find. This is for a number of reasons.
First & foremost, green dyes were often a combination of woad with other common dyes. Or natural dyes oxidized very easily. That meant fading, staining, and changing colors.
First & foremost, green dyes were often a combination of woad with other common dyes. Or natural dyes oxidized very easily. That meant fading, staining, and changing colors.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk!
Ah, mawwiage. We're going nuptial.
💕If you're hoping for whimsy & romance, well... you probably haven't been here before.💕
For most of history, marriage has been about money & power, just like the fashion it's inspired. (Below, 1841, satin)
Ah, mawwiage. We're going nuptial.
💕If you're hoping for whimsy & romance, well... you probably haven't been here before.💕
For most of history, marriage has been about money & power, just like the fashion it's inspired. (Below, 1841, satin)
2 - Though anthropologists don't know exactly when marriage began, it seems to be universal.
For most of history, marriage was not about love, butensuring legitimacy of offspring, cementing family alliances, & consolidating wealth. See our ladies preparing: Greece, 5th C BCE.
For most of history, marriage was not about love, butensuring legitimacy of offspring, cementing family alliances, & consolidating wealth. See our ladies preparing: Greece, 5th C BCE.
3 - As with so much, we begin in Mesopotamia. Mostly because they wrote things down. Yay, cuneiform!
On this Sumerian relief, the marriage of the goddess Inanna and the Sumerian King Dumuzi is depicted. They look thrilled.
On this Sumerian relief, the marriage of the goddess Inanna and the Sumerian King Dumuzi is depicted. They look thrilled.
1 - It's Monday! That means it's #threadtalk time. But today we're doing a bit of a retrospective.
Somehow, I've done 16 of these already!
So get your bookmarks ready, we're about to do a #ThreadofThreadtalk.
Somehow, I've done 16 of these already!
So get your bookmarks ready, we're about to do a #ThreadofThreadtalk.
2 - First up is #chintz. You might think of it as your grandmother's cushions, but it's really a remarkable history that takes us to India and the history of print cotton.
We also get our first glimpse into sumptuary laws and MURDER.
We also get our first glimpse into sumptuary laws and MURDER.
3 - The Lure of Timeless #taffeta teaches us about "scroop" (the sound it makes) & brings a bit more insight past 80s prom gowns. I was surprised at how old taffeta is!
I adore the look & feel of taffeta, personally. And moiré is a personal obsession.
I adore the look & feel of taffeta, personally. And moiré is a personal obsession.
1 - It's time for #ThreadTalk & today we're swathing ourselves in the history of the kaftan!
Don't know your kaftan from your muumuu, dashiki, or Banyan? That's okay. We'll get there.
This ancient garment became a Regency staple🎩, a 1960s essential ☮️ & a modern must-have.🧥
Don't know your kaftan from your muumuu, dashiki, or Banyan? That's okay. We'll get there.
This ancient garment became a Regency staple🎩, a 1960s essential ☮️ & a modern must-have.🧥
2 - The word itself is Persian: خفتان khaftān. In simple terms, it's a tunic or a robe, often open down the front & tied with a sash.
This kind of garment goes back as far as Mesopotamia, but rose to prominence during the Abbasid Caliphate. This bowl dates from the 10thC.
This kind of garment goes back as far as Mesopotamia, but rose to prominence during the Abbasid Caliphate. This bowl dates from the 10thC.
3 - That said, the garment itself emerged all over antiquity, & adapted through history. How kaftans are used, and the materials they're made from -- that's where things get sticky.
More on that later. Here's another pretty one, an entari from Turkey.
More on that later. Here's another pretty one, an entari from Turkey.
23 - I could do a whole thread on caftans, and maybe I should?
This caftan is from Turkey and dates from the 19th century, and y'all know I love gold and red. The stripes contain the floral pattern, and draw the eye up and around.
10/10 would wear right now. d
This caftan is from Turkey and dates from the 19th century, and y'all know I love gold and red. The stripes contain the floral pattern, and draw the eye up and around.
10/10 would wear right now. d
24 - So much happening here, and normally would avoid this period -- but I am such a sucker for green velvet accents that I had to share this one. It's also a lovely closeup. 1861-1863, England. And it's moiré silk. So um. Just gaze.
25 - By the 1870s things get real wild. New advances in dressmaking mean shapes get out of the box. Multiple textures going on here, multiple stripes, and a serious nod to the sailor suits we talked about earlier. ALSO POCKETS EVERYWHERE. Just darling.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk! This week we're talking stripes. And let me say, y'all have *opinions.*
Which is totally on brand for this pattern.
From the high seas🏴☠️ to the school yard🧑🎓, the red light district 🚨to the palace at Versailles🏰: Let's dive into the striped past.
Which is totally on brand for this pattern.
From the high seas🏴☠️ to the school yard🧑🎓, the red light district 🚨to the palace at Versailles🏰: Let's dive into the striped past.
2 - Stripes may be humankind's first fabric pattern, simply woven in as the yarn color shifted from one to another. The word "stripe" is from "a line in cloth."
And stripes show up everywhere: fabric, pottery, and jewelry. Like this Neolithic (2650 BC) pot from China. Gorgeous!
And stripes show up everywhere: fabric, pottery, and jewelry. Like this Neolithic (2650 BC) pot from China. Gorgeous!
3 - 'Cause you know what? Stripes are POWERFUL. Just like we naturally turn our gaze to the horizon, stripes grab attention. Contrast, y'all.
Unsurprisingly, the great pharaohs of Ancient Egypt chose stripes for their Nemes (headcloths) like head-turning Thuthmose III below.
Unsurprisingly, the great pharaohs of Ancient Egypt chose stripes for their Nemes (headcloths) like head-turning Thuthmose III below.
1 - Welcome to #threadtalk, the first in my icon series.
Yup. It's gonna be ruff.
It's fitting that begin with the very monarch who signed the East India Company into being: Queen Elizabeth I.
Join me as we travel back to the 16thC to one truly warped family. 👑🧵🪡
Yup. It's gonna be ruff.
It's fitting that begin with the very monarch who signed the East India Company into being: Queen Elizabeth I.
Join me as we travel back to the 16thC to one truly warped family. 👑🧵🪡
2 - No one expected the daughter of Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn would ascend the throne--but she did. Her coronation (1558) portrait shows her swathed in cloth of gold--the very same her deceased sister Mary had worn (bit creepy).
Oh, that cloth of gold? £2170 a yard in today's $$.
Oh, that cloth of gold? £2170 a yard in today's $$.
3 - Every line of her dress is a message: the cloth of gold was a favorite of her father's; the fleur-de-lis represented the ongoing claim of France; the Tudor roses: legitimacy. Her long hair and serene expression? The beginnings of the Virgin Queen. And all that ermine.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk & gird your loins! We're talking skivvies, undies, unmentionables, lingerie🩲-- that's right: underwear.
Tonight we'll part the veil & to find what lies beneath. We've got witchcraft, weird myths & plenty of spice. 🔥 🔥 🔥
But first, mummies!
Tonight we'll part the veil & to find what lies beneath. We've got witchcraft, weird myths & plenty of spice. 🔥 🔥 🔥
But first, mummies!
2 - Tradition says Adam & Eve used fig leaves, but the most likely first "underwear" was woven of plant materials or leather. Hence, it's hard to find extant remains.
Ötzi the Iceman, though, who's about 3500 years old, had a very well preserved one. So did the Aztecs, pictured.
Ötzi the Iceman, though, who's about 3500 years old, had a very well preserved one. So did the Aztecs, pictured.
3 - Loincloths were kind of a global sensation for a while. Got a belt and some felt? Strap it together, vavoom!
Unsurprisingly, the ancient Egyptians used linen for their flappy bits. Indeed, King Tut had a staggering 145 loincloths starched and pressed for the afterlife.
Unsurprisingly, the ancient Egyptians used linen for their flappy bits. Indeed, King Tut had a staggering 145 loincloths starched and pressed for the afterlife.
1 - Greetings, everyone. It's time for #ThreadTalk!
By popular demand, everything's coming up paisley.
#Paisley is an ancient motif with a Scottish name--to learn more about it, we'll be traveling the globe🌍, visit goats 🐐 & talk shit about the East India Company 🤬.
By popular demand, everything's coming up paisley.
#Paisley is an ancient motif with a Scottish name--to learn more about it, we'll be traveling the globe🌍, visit goats 🐐 & talk shit about the East India Company 🤬.
2 - Paisley's proper name is boteh or buta, but it's also been called "persian pickles," "Welsh pears," "ham hock" pattern, or "mango" just to name a few.
Persian pickles?🥒 Right.
And it's old. You can see it on architecture in Balkh, Afghanistan dating to the 9th C.
Persian pickles?🥒 Right.
And it's old. You can see it on architecture in Balkh, Afghanistan dating to the 9th C.
3 - "Boteh" is a Persian word that means "shrub" or "bush." Whatever it is, it's leafy. And it's very eye-catching!
It's asymmetrical and playful, and appeared on carpets, tiles, fabrics, & more. This woodblock would have been used to print the pattern on fabric.
It's asymmetrical and playful, and appeared on carpets, tiles, fabrics, & more. This woodblock would have been used to print the pattern on fabric.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk! Today we're tackling the venerable bead.
Don't be fooled: This. Subject. Is. Huge. 🤯
We're touring the world throug alchemy, biology, archaeology -- and learn how colonialism & slavery figures in.
Featured: Sioux (Teton) woman's dress from 1880.
Don't be fooled: This. Subject. Is. Huge. 🤯
We're touring the world throug alchemy, biology, archaeology -- and learn how colonialism & slavery figures in.
Featured: Sioux (Teton) woman's dress from 1880.
2 -Like its cousin embroidery, beads are a world heritage art. Beads evolve next to humanity, it seems.
But how beads are treated, valued & traded--and what they're made of--well, that's where things get interesting.
Featured: Helmet - Fang People, late 19th C/early 20th C
But how beads are treated, valued & traded--and what they're made of--well, that's where things get interesting.
Featured: Helmet - Fang People, late 19th C/early 20th C
3 - Beads are plentiful in archaeology, often long outlasting the threads that held them. These here are probably from Cyprus from 750BC-300BC & I would totally wear them.
Basically, people found shells & shiny things, went “mine” & the Precious was became... wait, wrong story.
Basically, people found shells & shiny things, went “mine” & the Precious was became... wait, wrong story.
Just a very friendly reminder that I am a *fantasy novelist*.
I am not an academic.
I am not a journalist.
I write stories about magic, witches, monsters, and flirting. Often in sumptuous clothing.
I ask a lot of questions and share the answers I find.
I am not an academic.
I am not a journalist.
I write stories about magic, witches, monsters, and flirting. Often in sumptuous clothing.
I ask a lot of questions and share the answers I find.
I have no control over what goes viral. I want to keep up, but between my life and job and family, I can’t always. I hate that.
I also have ADHD. And depression. And anxiety. Some days Twitter is too much.
I’m totally ok, but just so y’all remember. I do this for free.
I also have ADHD. And depression. And anxiety. Some days Twitter is too much.
I’m totally ok, but just so y’all remember. I do this for free.
I don’t take sponsorships. I don’t do ads.
It’s just me, sharing my research deep dives.
If I miss a comment or a question, please know it’s not intentional.
I love doing #ThreadTalk and will continue to do it, but just putting this all out here.
It’s just me, sharing my research deep dives.
If I miss a comment or a question, please know it’s not intentional.
I love doing #ThreadTalk and will continue to do it, but just putting this all out here.
That said: also welcome to all my new followers!
I do #ThreadTalk every Monday. I've loved fashion since I could remember, but came to these deep dives through world-building my own fantasy novels (and historical fantasy).
Looking forward to learning more about you all.
I do #ThreadTalk every Monday. I've loved fashion since I could remember, but came to these deep dives through world-building my own fantasy novels (and historical fantasy).
Looking forward to learning more about you all.
I believe fabric culture makes us human, and it's often set aside for the blood, battle, and action.
Yet, I think it really brings us together in so many ways.
It's just that in the wake of colonialism and capitalism, we've lost our way a bit.
Yet, I think it really brings us together in so many ways.
It's just that in the wake of colonialism and capitalism, we've lost our way a bit.
In my early career as a writer, I was often snickered at for insisting that the best way into a world--imagined or historical--is understanding their fashion. Because fashion is frivolous and "girly" etc.
But think: Who has access to the goods? Who makes it? Who wears it?
But think: Who has access to the goods? Who makes it? Who wears it?
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk, muslin edition. Muslin has been all over my feed, so let me cut to the chase:
The finest fabric in human history was perfected by the Bengali people but tragically lost in the wake of imperialism & economic ruin at the hands of the English.
🤬🤬
The finest fabric in human history was perfected by the Bengali people but tragically lost in the wake of imperialism & economic ruin at the hands of the English.
🤬🤬
2 - Muslin was once called "The vapor of dawn" by a Chinese trader named Yuan Chwang. Other names were "woven wind" & "wonder gossamer" - yet it's now synomymous with Regency period dramas.
There's no way around this: it is not a happy story. But it's one people need to hear.
There's no way around this: it is not a happy story. But it's one people need to hear.
3 - In many ways, this is a companion thread to my original #chintz talk. Chintz and muslin are both made from cotton & both arose to fame b/c of the art, vision, & craft of Indian weavers.
Muslin is a basic plain weave, that means it's just a warp and a weft. But there's more.
Muslin is a basic plain weave, that means it's just a warp and a weft. But there's more.
1 - It's time for #ThreadTalk. That's right: it's time to dye.
Warning: This feature includes insects🐞, poison☠️, dead bodies 💀, human combustion🔥 & general yuck🤢
And of course colonialism👎. But also gowns! Like this French afternoon dress in yellow & chartreuse from 1866
Warning: This feature includes insects🐞, poison☠️, dead bodies 💀, human combustion🔥 & general yuck🤢
And of course colonialism👎. But also gowns! Like this French afternoon dress in yellow & chartreuse from 1866
2 - Most natural fiber fabrics are bit bland at first. Getting them vibrant means the adding of pigment.
Natural wool is often an ivory hue, & it takes a lot of processing to get the right hue. Raw wool pictured below to give you an idea. Carding video:
Natural wool is often an ivory hue, & it takes a lot of processing to get the right hue. Raw wool pictured below to give you an idea. Carding video:
3 - Red is the color of passion, desire, and… insect secretion. Yes, we get carmine red from carminic acid, a substance we extract from female cochineals. Yum!
Cochineals are scale insects found in the Americas and are often found on prickly pear cactuses.
Cochineals are scale insects found in the Americas and are often found on prickly pear cactuses.
1 - Welcome to #ThreadTalk. This week’s subject: #embroidery.
This fabric art—both fine and folk — is a world heritage art, meaning its inception goes back before recorded times.
So tonight, I’m taking you on a tour around the world.
This fabric art—both fine and folk — is a world heritage art, meaning its inception goes back before recorded times.
So tonight, I’m taking you on a tour around the world.
2 - The word "embroider" comes to English by way Frankish and Proto-German & may mean “braid” or “embellishment.”
From simple decorative stitches to complex beaded patterns, embroidery is often a matter of national pride and identity, too, like this Croatian blouse.
From simple decorative stitches to complex beaded patterns, embroidery is often a matter of national pride and identity, too, like this Croatian blouse.
3 - The width and breadth of the embroidery on Earth is striking in variety & beauty. It transcends class, status, and rank & has been used both as symbols of the oppressed and the oppressor.
This hand-stitched Mandarin rank badge is from the Qing Dynasty in China.
This hand-stitched Mandarin rank badge is from the Qing Dynasty in China.
1 - Welcome to tonight's #Treadtalk.
#Velvet may bring to mind 1970s couches, or your 90s goth stage, but that's a long way from its luxurious roots.
So let's brave the Black Plague, the cold, and questionable fashion choices together, in the name of this truly royal fabric.
#Velvet may bring to mind 1970s couches, or your 90s goth stage, but that's a long way from its luxurious roots.
So let's brave the Black Plague, the cold, and questionable fashion choices together, in the name of this truly royal fabric.
2 - As with many fabrics, there is debate as to where velvet began. Some say China, others say Egypt & others point to the Middle East.
What they can agree on is that it’s a pain in the ass to make and $$$$$ AF. Original velvet was silk, too.
What they can agree on is that it’s a pain in the ass to make and $$$$$ AF. Original velvet was silk, too.
3 - Velvet is a pile fabric, which means it relies on lots of sharp objects & a touch of violence for production.
Yup! Velvet’s pile yarn is on the warp direction & must be cut on the loom or, in face-to-face methods--slicing down the middle to create two mirror-like textiles.
Yup! Velvet’s pile yarn is on the warp direction & must be cut on the loom or, in face-to-face methods--slicing down the middle to create two mirror-like textiles.
1 - Lace yourself, darlings. It’s about to get drafty in here. Welcome to my #ThreadTalk.
What began on the collars of Catholic clergy & adorned the pages of Frederick’s of Hollywood centuries later?
That’s right. Lace.
And #ThreadTalks go, lace is relatively modern.
What began on the collars of Catholic clergy & adorned the pages of Frederick’s of Hollywood centuries later?
That’s right. Lace.
And #ThreadTalks go, lace is relatively modern.
2 - The word itself comes from a Vulgar Latin derivation, from the word “laceum" (a noose or a snare). And lace has ensnared many since it came upon the scene in the late 15th C.
Flemish lace, in particular, was prized for its purity, softness, & quality of the linen grown.
Flemish lace, in particular, was prized for its purity, softness, & quality of the linen grown.
3 - Lace is not a fabric, per se, but what’s called a “decorate openwork web”. In this way it’s more related to crochet and knitting & arguably has its roots in net-making.
Many of these webs can be combined in a variety of designs, densities & motifs to create layers.
Many of these webs can be combined in a variety of designs, densities & motifs to create layers.
1 - Damask-erade, grinning yellows spinning reds,
Damask-erade! take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Welcome to tonight's #ThreadTalk: Damask.
This fabric goes beyond musicals, creepy Victorian wallpaper & antique furniture. Let's follow the thread across the globe.
Damask-erade! take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Welcome to tonight's #ThreadTalk: Damask.
This fabric goes beyond musicals, creepy Victorian wallpaper & antique furniture. Let's follow the thread across the globe.
2 - Damask is a reversible figured fabric. It's also flat, yet has complex designs: this makes it versatile & ideal for catching light.
It isn't, as the name suggests (via the French), from Damascus at all: it's from China and was originally made solely of silk.
It isn't, as the name suggests (via the French), from Damascus at all: it's from China and was originally made solely of silk.
3 - Damask rose to popularity during the Sui and Tang dynasties alongside the major explosion in silk fabric making (particularly for the ruling and aristocratic classes).
Advances in loom technology are to account the appearance of damask in the first place.
Advances in loom technology are to account the appearance of damask in the first place.
1 - Welcome friends: it's TARTAN time! So plaid you're here.
This pattern probably brings to mind highlanders, private schools, & grunge music. But there's a lot more to it.
To understand tartan, we’ve got to go back further than you think. Back to Iron Age and to MUMMIES!
This pattern probably brings to mind highlanders, private schools, & grunge music. But there's a lot more to it.
To understand tartan, we’ve got to go back further than you think. Back to Iron Age and to MUMMIES!
2 - Before mummies however, disclaimers:
I LIKE TARTAN. It makes me happy. It's beautiful.
ALSO, people have VERY STRONG FEELINGS about tartan/plaid. There is a great deal of controversy. I’m here to share what I’ve learned, and reiterate I am a fan, not an authority.
I LIKE TARTAN. It makes me happy. It's beautiful.
ALSO, people have VERY STRONG FEELINGS about tartan/plaid. There is a great deal of controversy. I’m here to share what I’ve learned, and reiterate I am a fan, not an authority.
3 - Tartan is a kind of twill weave, and twill is one of the oldest woven fabrics known to man. But due to its organic nature (often plant-based), residual cloth is almost unheard of.
We knew of some examples in Halstatt people in Iron Age bogs that were tartan-like.
We knew of some examples in Halstatt people in Iron Age bogs that were tartan-like.
