Strares Piled Fabric
The piled fabric (fùɥ) was once a highly recognized and distinctive product of Strares Droga, manufactured by cutting knots woven between the warp and weft of an otherwise ordinarily woven fabric. Various knots were known and used to create diagonal effects or patterns, or to pile on both sides of the fabric, in keeping with known principles and patterns. Since Strares has become the capital of first the Unified Stenza Clans and later The Nine Systems, the practice of producing piled fabric has fallen out of favor.
In recent years there has been a push to revive the art among curious weavers young and old. While in ancient times the piled fabric was used to supplement bedding during bad hunting years, and to help pups keep themselves at the appropriate temperature when early precursors to Insulating Mesh proved dodgy, the modern take on the piled fabric is as an art form and a cultural touchstone where that might otherwise feel lacking.
History
It is thought that the pile was first added to the characteristic "pup fangs" twill of Strares Droga some time around -25500, likely a creative use of excess yarn by an enterprising weaver. Over time, the fabric began to see wider and wider use, and a better ground weave was developed. It served well as extra fabric for things like beds and an additional layer to precursors of the Insulating Mesh, although the characteristic "pup fangs" weave remained the characteristic cloth of Strares.
Technology improved, phasing out the piled fabric as a supplement to the mesh worn by pups and gradually improving the way furs are kept and maintained. By the time of the Battle with the Stone Menace the process of manufacturing piled fabric was rarely used, although "pup fangs" and other fabrics were still in high demand.
Following the formation of the Unified Stenza Clans, however, Strares became less known for any cultural touchstones it has and more as the capital of a unified Stenza polity. People from all over the Ice Flats started moving into Strares for work or political reasons, a trend which continues into the present. Due to the influx of people, many members of Strares droga began to gradually ache for a return to their roots.
Enterprising weavers, armed with databases and carefully preserved samples in the clan museum, have begun to reconstruct the old art of weaving piled fabric. Using the tried and true pup fangs pattern as a ground, they have expressed this yearning as an experiment with pile knots, size, and overall texture, creating works of art that double as functional items, but are mostly valued for the former.
Execution
The primary addition to the weaving process is the addition of threads interacting with and perpendicular to the warp and weft "plane". The exact knots vary from artist to artist, but a form of symmetrical knot that allows pile on both sides of the fabric has recently become popular (based off of one known work in the clan museum). The knots are used to make patterns, some subtle and some readily apparent, with one notable modern piece being a depiction of Iradae and Lan'tha at First Sunrise.
Components and tools
The work is done at a loom using some blend of dyed and plain thread or yarn, especially strictly set aside to form the pile.
Participants
Piled fabrics are chiefly created by reasonably experienced weavers, although being an expert craftsperson is not required.
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