| Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons made by the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibers' triangular prism-like structure which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. | ||
|
||
Trading textiles as very common between India and other countries in the ancient world. The Romans enjoyed the silk that was woven by the Indians during the Christian era. Egyptians enjoyed the many different cottons textiles, even as early as the 5th century A.D. Small remnants of the textiles were found in Egyptian tombs. Indonesia was a frequent customer for the silk textiles from south India in the 13th century. Other customers for Indian textiles include Muslims from Bengal and the British East India Company who traded silk and cotton textiles. You can still see the same attention to detail and high quality that was found during these periods in the designs, techniques, and patterns of the textile weavers. India has traded to countries across the world and this has helped to build the rich tradition that they have now. |
||
 |
||
| There are textile goods all over your home that can be accented with printed images and text. In the bedroom and living room, you have pillow cases, blankets, duvet covers, sheets, and curtains to modify. Make them cozy, make them distinctly you. The kitchen and dining room offer up their supply of tea towels, cloth napkins, tablecloths oven mitts and more. Anything made of fabric that can be laid down flat can be printed on. In the bathroom, a great canvas is the shower curtain, especially if it's one made of cloth. And so far, we've only covered functional items that you have anyway. What about surfaces that can de silk screened for purely decorative reasons? | ||
|
||
 |
||
|
||
Learning how to silk screen is not just for making t-shirts. Silk screening was the most common way of printing posters for many a decade, and is still used widely today. Silk screened posters have a wonderful look and feel that other more modern methods can't reproduce. Print your own posters on nice paper and frame them up or mount them and hang them on your walls. You can also print on large pieces of fabric to make wall hangings - basically cloth posters. Wood also makes a terrific silk screen surface, and you can make amazing art by printing on boards that you buy or find. You can even print directly onto walls and floors. This is an amazing effect, but I recommend getting some practice under your belt on other objects first to avoid making a huge mess. Essentially you can use it as a muraling tool, but it will look much more controlled and professional than most hand-painted murals, and it will also have a very interesting and uncommon look. |
||
 |
||
| Learning how to silk screen is a fantastic way to express yourself, and have that self-expression present in your home environment. Your creativity will be present all around you, on the walls, and things that you use everyday, while preparing meals, relaxing, going to bed. When you invite guests, they will be struck by the warmth and individuality of your house, and might be inspired to take up the art themselves. | ||
 |
||
|