SILKWORMS to SUITS

Travel to countrysides throughout Asia where silk production is oldest, and where growing and harvesting silkworms, spinning, weaving, and dyeing techniques have remained the same for more than a thousand years!  Through our slide show and artifacts, you'll follow the process from silkworm egg all the way to finished cloth, and to a traditional kimono taking three years to make!  Then, experiment with the simplest tools and resist-dyeing technique to decorate a strip of silk.  It's beautiful on its own, but you can wear it, sew it into something, use in the style of Asian gift wrapping (bojagi, furoshiki), or just hang as a banner.
Best for participants 6 years and older.

A weaving option may be available.  Weave an armband using silk/cotton yarn and a simple homemade loom.

Best for participants 9 years and older.

90 minutes

BUILD A SERIES WITH:
African American Quilts
Japanese American Internment
Fibers & Fingers
Inca: Llamas & Looms
India: Palm Leaf Books
Indonesia: Shadow Puppets
Japan: Craft & Folk Art
Natural & Resist Dyeing
Southern China

Photo credit 1: Gorkaazk