That is a crucial process because we use it sectors like cloth weaving, making apparel, and other fabric varieties wherein they use textile. Involves crossing threads — or yarns — together in a particular way. And this way of doing things has existed for hundreds — if not thousands — of years, and continues to influence our day-to-day lives. We encounter clothing and fabric in every facet of life, from the comforts of home to the roads we traverse. In this article, we will explore more about the process of weaving cloth together, how the art works and why it is such a beautiful tradition.
Weaving cloth is not as simple as it sounds; it is a meticulous and skilled process. To make fabric, weavers must know how to operate a tool called a loom, which allows them to produce unique qualities in the designs. Some of the general types of looms include hand looms and power looms. Working with hand looms is time consuming but it is the only way to get more detailed and intricate designs. However, power looms can weave a lot faster and this is ideal when making large quantities of fabric.
Weavers use all kinds of fibers to produce their textiles. Examples of fibers are cotton, wool, silk, and linen. These are spun into yarns and the yarns woven together into the final fabric. Different types have special features—strength, feel, and color. In the process of making a fabric, the weaver needs to contemplate various qualities to create the fabric to be beautiful as well as functional.
As the history of cloth weaving spans thousands of years, starting with simple looms, it's so fun to learn about! They have found 7,000-year-old cotton fabric in India! This means that people have been dyeing yarn for a long, long time! Linen was the most common fabric of ancient Egypt. Linen was such an important fabric for the Egyptians that pharaohs were even wrapped in it upon their death! Wool became the most popular fabric in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was worn by the rich and the poor and everything in between.
In many African cultures cloth is a special signifier during the milestones of life, often called rites of passage. So for example, when a girl has her first period, she will wear a special wrapper to publicly signal she has become a woman. The cloth is also used in many cultures to express emotion or to tell a story. Similar to how some African tribes use colourful print on their fabrics to pass messages to one another. Different patterns can tell different stories/ideas, so cloth can be a powerful expressive medium.
Trelis's bigger motto Styling Up Necessities also underwrites the need to spread the word here about how many in the world are now starting to appreciate handmade textiles. They appreciate the craft and time involved in creating fabric by hand. Handmade textiles are one of a kind and usually have their own unique stories. But, when you buy a handmade fabric, you are contributing to local weavers and aiding to keep this amazing tradition alive, you are not just getting an item.
As evidence from this campaign suggests, SHUANGPENG recognize and value the crucial role handmade textiles play for not just their weavers but also the communities from which these pieces originate. Which is why we partner with local weavers in developing countries to bring their beautiful fabrics to the world. We aim to encourage fair trade and help the vitality of local communities. Traditional Techniques, Modern Designs; Its an Age-Old Story.
