Fur from animals has been used for clothing and textiles since ancient times. Beaver, rabbit, mink, fox, chinchilla, sable, and sheepskins are some of the most valued furs. Fur skins are harvested, tanned, and turned into garments, accessories, blankets, and rugs. Fur differs from wool in that the hairs lack scales and crimp, resulting in…
Some of the most exclusive and coveted wools come from the camelids – a family of woolly animals native to South America. These rare fibers include alpaca, vicuña, guanaco, and llama wools. They are prized for their exceptional softness, fineness, and warmth. Alpaca wool comes from alpacas bred in the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia,…
Wool – The Natural Fiber with True Grit Wool is a natural fiber harvested from sheep and other animals like goats, alpacas, and rabbits. It has unique properties that make it ideal for clothing, upholstery, and other textiles. Wool fibers have a scaly, crimped structure that allows them to cling together and felt. This gives…
Cotton – The Fabric of Our Lives Cotton is a soft, fluffy natural fiber that grows around the seeds of cotton plants. It is the most widely used natural fiber in textiles and clothing due to its comfort, breathability, and durability. Cotton plants thrive in warm, humid climates. The cotton fibers grow inside protective pods…
Textiles are made from both natural and synthetic fibers derived from plants, animals, and minerals. The key fibers used in fabric and clothing production include: Cotton – A soft, breathable natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant. Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber in textiles due to its comfort, absorbency, and durability. Key…
Essential Stitches and Techniques for Dressmaking and Sewing The taking of measures is the most important part of drafting. If the measures are not taken correctly one can never hope to make a draft that will fit. The drafting of a garment is no different from the drafting of a house, a bridge, or a…
Timeless Elegance Mastering the Craft of Vintage Dressmaking What can be more dainty and bewitching than our summer girl, robed in those airy, fairy things of muslin and lace? And it’s the refined delicate touch given these garments in the making that really makes them what they should be. Linen has grown into strong popularity;…
A Guide to Shaped Designs, Tailor Finishes, and Elegant Detailing A whole garment may be constructed of shaped designs, artistically arranged. To do this, first draw your design on paper, lay your material on this and either pin mark it through or trace it on your cloth. Each piece is thus gone over, and when…
From Hand to Machine The Evolution of Spinning and Weaving SPINNING and weaving are among the earliest arts. In the twisting of fibers, hairs, grasses, and sinews by rolling them between the thumb and fingers, palms of the hands, or palms and naked thigh, we have the original of the spinning wheel and the steam-driven…
A Comprehensive Guide to Enhanced Garment Detailing Waists may have tucks of various size, from the tiny pin tucks to the size of two inches. All material should be tucked before it is cut, except in cases where a tuck is continued through a seam like a Gibson tuck on a shoulder, and in that…
