WCHT - Wool HEAVY visible twill

How do we know what textiles looked like in the past?

Archaeologists, while conducting excavations, occasionally come across fragments of textiles. These finds, though rare, provide valuable insights into the life and culture of ancient societies. Typically, these are only small pieces of material, often in very poor condition.

Factors such as moisture, temperature, soil pH, and the presence of microorganisms significantly impact the degradation processes of textiles. As a result, the original colors of the fabrics change, fade, or disappear entirely. Sometimes, the only traces of dyed materials are faint shadows of their former color palette.

Most often, textile fragments are found in graves. In some cases, particularly in dry, cold, or boggy environments, fabrics can survive for thousands of years, giving us a unique opportunity to study the weaving techniques, patterns, and materials used in the past. Hence, most of the discovered textiles come from Northern Europe – Denmark and Scandinavia – as peat bogs provide one of the best environments for their preservation.

However, graves are not the only places where archaeologists find remnants of textiles. Fragments of materials can also be found at settlement sites or in the ruins of ancient buildings. Each such find requires exceptional care. Specialists use delicate conservation methods to protect these fragile artifacts from further damage.

Laboratory studies, such as microscopic analysis and chemical tests, allow for the identification of the type of fibers, dyeing techniques, and the geographical origin of the textiles.

Now, we have decided to contribute to this effort. In our collection, we recreate textiles found in various locations across Europe, dating from different epochs.

How to submit a fabric for realization?

Do you dream of a specific fabric pattern that is not available in our store? Do you have specific information about it? Great! You can submit a fabric for realization in the "Your Ideas" section.

Create a separate thread, provide the technical details of the fabric (at least the place of discovery and dating), and then publish the thread for discussion.

You can encourage your friends to vote for this idea – the more popular your option, the greater the chance that the project will be realized by us.