Rearing of silk worms and production of silk --tying and dyeing for weft ikat weaving --the unique heddle system for weaving complicated supplementary weft

Originally produced by Ends of the Earth in 2006

Intended to provide a complete and permanent record of surviving traditions and skills in textiles and crafts, the Ends of the Earth unique series show the processes in full, in detail and with all the clarity and colour made possible by modern video cameras. In many ways they are better than being there - pausing and replaying gives the possibility of checking again where the quickness of the hands has eluded or deceived the eye. Isarn in N.E. Thailand has been a cradle of silk worm rearing and silk weaving for thousands of years. The processes are still carried on by families in village houses where silk worms are grown and fed on mulberry leaves and silk reeled in the traditional way. Silk sarongs and scarves of extraordinary quality with traditional designs and colours are hand-woven in weft ikat and supplementary weft techniques. Filmed in Isarn. --Kanopy

Mode of access: World Wide Web