Fashion and Textiles - Final Test

Technique for weaving velvet where some threads are cut shorter (basso) and some longer (alto), creating a varied surface texture.

The process of producing linen in Flanders declined due to the rise of industrialization, leading to economic hardship and a decrease in workforce.

A type of silk fabric with a dense, velvety pile, often used for clothing and upholstery.

The Silk Road facilitated the spread of silk production knowledge beyond China, contributing to the growth of silk trade and cultural exchange.

The French government actively encouraged the development of silk weaving in the 17th Century, offering incentives to Italian silk workers.

Silk production started in China, where it remained exclusive for centuries, before spreading to the Middle East and Europe.

A style of silk design characterized by elaborate, theatrical patterns, often with ornate floral motifs.

The silk moth, Bombyx mori, is a domesticated insect crucial for silk production. Its larvae produce silk cocoons that are unraveled to obtain silk thread.

The process of extracting silk thread from cocoons involves boiling and reeling the silk fibers.

A style of silk design featuring intricate and often asymmetrical patterns, sometimes resembling lace.

Silk, known for its strength, durability, and hypoallergenic properties, was highly valued throughout history.

A style of silk design that emerged in the early 18th century, incorporating more realistic and natural motifs.

The rise of silk production in Europe during the 16th century, particularly in Italy, made the country a center for silk manufacture.

A style of silk design where patterns resemble natural fur, with meandering lines and stripes.

A silk fabric with interwoven threads of different colors, creating a rich and intricate pattern.

The technique of letting the silk moth escape from its cocoon before extracting the silk is called peace silk, resulting in a less continuous thread.

The process of making silk involved meticulously controlling the width of the fabric. Wider silk was considered more luxurious and expensive due to its finer quality. The length of the silk also factored into its worth.

Silk was a crucial element in economic transactions during ancient times. It was used as a form of currency to pay taxes, settle debts with enemies, and even facilitate trade agreements.

The Silk Routes, spanning from China to Sweden and North Africa, served as a conduit for the spread of silk and ideas between East and West. These routes facilitated the exchange of knowledge, religions, art forms, and textiles.

The Sassanian Empire, strategically positioned along the Silk Routes, became a major player in silk production. They received silk from the East, which was then processed and woven into their own unique styles.

The design of many Sassanian silk fabrics often featured intricate pattern motifs with a sense of symmetry. These patterns frequently included circular elements with animal figures and plant motifs.

The invention of the loom, around 500 BCE, revolutionized silk production and remained the primary tool for weaving until the 1800s. It significantly increased the speed and efficiency of silk weaving.

Silk production in Japan, which began around 200 CE, developed its own distinct styles yet still showcased the influence of the roundish motif common in Chinese silk.

In India, silk has been produced using a different type of moth since around 1250 BCE. Unlike in China, however, silk in India was not a luxury good. It was worn by people from all social classes.