Textiles

For thousands of years the Silk Road trade route has been famous for procuring the finest hand made fabrics. Initially silk was traded from China to points west but traders soon returned from the southern and northern trade routes with hand-spun, died and knotted rugs from Persia, fine hand loomed silk textiles from Southeast Asia and beautiful bolts of roughly loomed cottons in tribal weaving patterns.

The art of creating hand knotted rugs or hand-loomed fabric has been passed from mother to daughter for centuries. Even today nomadic people travel with their looms from the summer to winter grounds. The color varieties in a large working may vary due to the change in natural dies, and supplies as the family travels. This story can be read in the 'rings of the tree' or by following the weaving or rug from one end to the other. Collectors of these rough hand woven fabric and rugs value the 'story' as much as the item itself.

Finer weavings and rugs may take years to complete. Several members of one family may work together on large pieces. Silk Road Gathering has a variety of different hand made textiles which include high end silk fabric from China and Thailand and commercially produced fabric from the trade routes of the old Silk Road.

If you are looking for a special fabric for personal or interior design use, please consider our personal shopping service.