Artsilk

By: Vikki Clayton

Re: Artsilk

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From the desk of Needle Necessities............

ONCE UPON A TIME......

In Queen Victoria's time, Artsilk embroidery thread was used in much of the

ladies' stitching.  Agatha Christie wrote of Miss Marple stitching with Artsilk

embroidery thread.

Indian Artsilk was sold throughout the British Empire up to World War II.  It

then disappeared from the marketplace, except in India.  It has not been

imported to this country for over 40 years and for the most part, is unknown.

SO, YOU SAY.....

what does Artsilk mean and why are you writing about it?

WELL, LET ME TELL YOU THE STORY OF ARTSILK.

In the silk industry of Europe and the Orient, the "weighting" of silk has

been, and is, a common practice.  "Weighting" is the addition of either cotton

pulp or, as done in later years, regenerated viscose to the silk filament to

increase bulk and weight.  Silk filament has the ability to absorb either

substance.

(ABSORB - adj. - to suck up; drink in, i.e. blotting paper absorbs ink)

In other words, the silk filament is NOT coated with viscose but has absorbed

viscose without changing the basic characteristics of the silk, which is high

tensile strength, hand, and color. So, to enhance the look and maketability,

"weighting" of the silk has taken place and the end product is referred to as

Artsilk - a composition of silk and viscose.

Therefore - Empress Silk Embriodery Floss is Artsilk and is composed of silk

and viscose.

And the blend lived happily ever after.....