Brocade - cloth of kings and emperors

A lot of amazing things that we use to this day, came to us from the East. And what we have not even tried to adopt, is still fascinating. The culture of China is amazing: breathtaking landscapes, beautiful traditions and exciting legends. China in the past was one of the most closed countries in the world, and the export of secrets was punished very strictly - the thief was deprived of life. It was from there that silk came to us. Its manufacture was the greatest secret, which nobody succeeded in repeating. Therefore, this Chinese fabric was valued on a par with gold. But not only about silk, you can say this. Brocade is a fabric that originated in this eastern country.

History of the fabric

Fabric brocade (photo presented in the article) has a long history. Its roots stretch as far back as the end of the thirteenth century. For the first time it was the Chinese craftsmen who wove brocade. Then they learned about it in an equally colorful and spicy country - India. This Asian state was then closely associated with Europe. Yes, and Byzantine merchants often made purchases there.

Precious fabric was sent to the shore of the Black Sea. And from Byzantium - all over the world. Brocade is a fabric, the process of making which then no one could figure out to repeat this miracle. Therefore, she was taken to make royal and imperial dresses. Nobody could boast of such a luxurious dress. Priests and bishops, who, as is known, were also very rich and revered, wore brocade garments. Therefore, this fabric was soon associated with the royal court, nobility, wealth and luxury. And it was really so. In fact, he was attracted not only by the classified "recipe", but also by precious inclusions.

What is brocade (cloth)?

There are several types of brocade. But they were all preceded by one - the one that was associated with the mountains of gold. The whole secret was gold. Brocade is a union of silk base and gold, silver or other metal threads. This makes the fabric rigid and elastic.

Of course, brocade production required effort and expense. Gold can be pulled into the finest wire, because it is very ductile metal, but the fabric was sky-high expensive. Later it was modernized. Precious threads began to be replaced by alloys with a lower content of noble metals. And the base was replaced with a softer one, so it was more convenient to wear clothes. And the fabric has preserved the former wealth of colors, patterns and applications. So the first species was born, which is called simply brocade.

But brocade-lycra was created relatively recently. Unlike the classical version, it is not at all rough and not rigid, but very well stretching. Brocade of 100% silk is used only for sewing something solemn and weekend. In general, the properties of brocade depend on impurities and insertions. With the addition of lurex, it becomes more elastic, the more shiny threads - the more stiff it is.

Care of brocade

Brocade - the fabric is very whimsical. And if you planted a stain, then there is a risk of completely destroying the outfit. If you get rid of dirt on the front side, the situation can only worsen: you pound the dirt deep into the fabric. But from the inside you can try to do it, but only very carefully. If you are not confident in your abilities or you are very expensive attire, dry cleaners will cope best. Be careful with ironing. Very gently iron from the wrong side, setting the mode for silk. Wash in warm, mild soapy water, while avoiding deforming the fabric.

Application brocade

It so happened that it is with power and luxury that we associate brocade (cloth). The price for it in the Middle Ages was really high, but now it is quite democratic. Therefore, this fabric is widely used. Basically, these are decorative materials: pillows or curtains, etc. If you want to go out in this outfit, then the brocade will look good in wedding dresses, and on weekends or in the evening. Combine it with lightweight tissues. Brocade is still used in theatrical business, because the dresses from it look really beautiful and rich.