Ampelo'va (am-per-low-VAH)
A glass like cloth made from grape vine fibres
Ampelo’va is a fine translucent cloth made from the vine leaves of the Oova grape. The word is a combination of the Anana words ampelo and silva, literally meaning 'vine cloth.' The number of vines required to make even a small amount of cloth makes this fabric expensive.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Ampelo’va is a naturally stiff translucent fabric with a glassy sheen and a milky colour. The fabric dyes very well, producing bright jewel-like colours.
Geology & Geography
The fabric comes from the sinews within the vines of the Oova grape. It is this particular type of grape that creates the glassy finish. Fabrics made from different varieties are matte in quality and have a rougher feel.
History & Usage
Cultural Significance and Usage
The size and length of the production make ampelo’va a very expensive fabric. Amongst Ananans, it is a symbol of lineage. An ampelo’va kaftan hanging on the wall of an Ananan home is equivalent to a shield. Outside of the Stephese, ampelo’va is valued for making hats and fascinators with, or sculptural avant-garde clothes.
Refinement
After the grapes are harvested in Athelris, the vines are cut back, stripped of their leaves, and their outer membrane is removed. The inner sinews then go through a lengthy process of repeated drying, soaking, and beating until the vines disintegrate into individual fibres. This has to take place before the Stephesian Bloom ends and all plant life in the Stephese dies for winter.
Manufacturing & Products
After it has been reduced to fibres, it is then graded, and the white strands are made into Ampelo’va. First, they are spun into a twist, no thicker than spider thread, but significantly stronger. Once spun, the thread can be dyed and then woven into fabric.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
Some harvested vines are too thick or woody to break down into fibres. Instead, these get made into very tough floor mats.
The pulp produced from the refinement stage is turned into envelope paper, known as Manilla. Manilla is easily recognised by its light yellow-brown colour, very smooth finish, and subtle sheen.
During the grading stage, fine brown strands, of which there are significantly more, are used to make teabags and coffee filters.
Distribution
Trade & Market
The Guild of Agriculture manage the growing and harvesting of the vines.
After harvesting, they sell the vines to the Apparel Guild, which they turn into fibres.
Apparel keep the white strands to make fabric, but sell the brown fibres to the Victuals Guild to make teabags and coffee filters, the thick vines to the Furnishing Guild to make floor mats, and the pulp to the Logistics Service to make envelopes.
Ampelo'va
Ampelova, Ampo
- Clothes
- Hats
- Teabags
- Coffee Filters
- Manilla envelopes
- Floor mats
Official System Record
Updated by Lemi Louf, Senior Researcher
Approved by Department of Standards
This fabric sounds so pretty. I am imagining it being used for the wedding veil of a princess or noble woman. Given how it is made, I imagine it to be like linen or hemp. I love that it is translucent and glossy. Sounds like it was spun from glass! Brilliant!