I have been very busy lately sorting through the copious swatches I have procured as part of my Viking textiles and clothing class (which will be taught at noon on Saturday of War Practice in the Bath House). This has been a very fun project so far and I look forward to continue building it over the years.
While buying swatches, I also, finally purchased some silks from Sator. This European vendor is known for their historical reproduction silks, which, I can now say from experience, are quite lovely.
The silks typically fall into two categories. One is in the $35 price range, and is a silk warp with a rayon weft. This cloth is about 30 inches wide. I got two of this type, one is the green with the lions which is based on a 9th century Byzantine cloth and the other is red with birds and is based on an 11th century textile. The other two pieces are 100% silk and 55 inches wide. They are also about twice the price of the silk/rayon, but you actually almost twice the fabric. The purple is a lampas fabric that is based on 11th century and the blue and wine is based on a 12th century pattern.
I am very, very pleased with these fabrics. Even though I am, for the most part, cutting it into narrow strips, I think these better reflect the type of designs available in the Viking age than some of the sari silks I have used in the past.
Sartor also has some very, very nice linens. Particularly the herringbone linens. They are quite fine and drape beautifully. While there are no colored herringbone linen textiles from the Viking age (that I am aware of), these could make a lovely substitute for wools for hot weather garments.
http://www.sartor.cz/74-new-historical-textiles
While buying swatches, I also, finally purchased some silks from Sator. This European vendor is known for their historical reproduction silks, which, I can now say from experience, are quite lovely.
The silks typically fall into two categories. One is in the $35 price range, and is a silk warp with a rayon weft. This cloth is about 30 inches wide. I got two of this type, one is the green with the lions which is based on a 9th century Byzantine cloth and the other is red with birds and is based on an 11th century textile. The other two pieces are 100% silk and 55 inches wide. They are also about twice the price of the silk/rayon, but you actually almost twice the fabric. The purple is a lampas fabric that is based on 11th century and the blue and wine is based on a 12th century pattern.
I am very, very pleased with these fabrics. Even though I am, for the most part, cutting it into narrow strips, I think these better reflect the type of designs available in the Viking age than some of the sari silks I have used in the past.
Sartor also has some very, very nice linens. Particularly the herringbone linens. They are quite fine and drape beautifully. While there are no colored herringbone linen textiles from the Viking age (that I am aware of), these could make a lovely substitute for wools for hot weather garments.
http://www.sartor.cz/74-new-historical-textiles
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