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The Origin of the Word Sabotage
Did you know the origin of the word sabotage is weaving-related? There are two competing etymologies, but both have to do with the textile industry.
Category
France
Les Tricoteuses: A Bastille Day Yarn
On July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day (or as they call it “Quatorze Juillet”), the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 that marked a turning point in the French Revolution—well, the first of their revolutions, anyway.
Shedding the light on Farthingales
Farthingales are skirts with stiff hoops sewn into them to give them volume. Sometimes they resemble a cage over the skirt, but other times they were simply donut shapes worn on the hips under a skirt.
Marie Antoinette and Muslin Disease
Women would sometimes wear these muslin dresses in all kinds of weather—rain or shine. According to some sources, this led to an increase of respiratory illnesses dubbed “muslin disease.”
Drizzling: A Regency Rainy-Day Hobby
During the mid- to late-eighteenth century, drizzling became quite the fashion in France to carefully remove gold and silver threads from other textiles so they could be sold.
Dealing with Denim
For many people, denim blue jeans are an iconic part of American style. In reality, denim is as American as croissants.
Double-Check Your Weaving Opinions
It made me think about some of the weaving opinions you hear about today that I believe don’t actually hold up to scrutiny.
Fashion Trends in the Handweaving World
Wouldn't you love to see handwoven fabrics used in haute couture?
Ask Madelyn: Friction and Fraying Threads
Could the reed with small dents cause warp ends to break?