The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-30
BRITISH SILK MAKING
The Industry Is Said to Be Rapidly
Growing

From the London Post.
So rapid has been the development Of
the British silk industry In recent years
that manufacturers and retailers are now
able to place before the public a display
that may well challenge comparison with
the product of other countries. Tho ex-
hibition, which was opened by Princess
Christian at the Princess Skating club,
Knightsbridge, and was visited by the
queen, represents the highest level to
which the allied arts of weaving and
dyeing have been carried in England
Visitors accustomed to foreign mate
rial will not fail to observe the distinc-
tive character of the British fabric in
its superior purity and soldity. due to
closeness of weaving. It is we'll known
that in many imported goods the body
is helped out. by aids such as that of
gum arabic. and that the material con-
sequeltly is ruined by washing. Manu-
facturers in this country, who, as the
exhibition demonstrates, make great
variety of under garments. have con-
cluded that the best way to success is
in the production of a sound material that
will withstand the laundress and also re-
tain its color In the strong light to
which the articles are exposed In shop
windows The spun-silk hosiery. under
wear, and silk lace made from a yarn
which is a by-product of the process of
reeling, form an important and interest
ing feature of the show, and Mr.. Frank
Warner. president of the association.
stated yesterday that this branch gives
employment to about 10000 people. prin-
cipaly in Yorkshire. The most striking
portion of the exhibition, however con-
ssts of the rich silk damasks and bro
cades in handsome designs, varying from
colors of extreme richness to others of
exquisite delicacy. The delightful har-
monies obtained from shots" are tes-
timony to the artistic progress that has
been made. and In many instances
splendid effects result from the combi-
nation of silk warp with gold or
silver weft.
These beautiful materials designed for
court robes and trains are In some cases
displayed in made-up costumes on natu-
ralistic figures. The models, however
would for the most part serve their pur
pose better If more attention had been
given to the attainment of such grace
and movement as would do full JUS
tice to the creations" in which they are
arrayed. BY way of contrast with the
costume. there is a group of
Elizabethan figures representing the
dressing of bride. much of whose trous-
seau is seen overfowins her dowerchest
Silk began to be generally worn by the
wealthy about the time of Queen Eliza
beth, and the softness and delcacv Of the
fabrics exhibited are stated to represent
the character of the material favored at
the period. Also many old silks, altar
pieces. covers and hangings are repro
duced in manner that renders the har-
monizing influence of -me on color. and
thereby proves the efficiency OF the art of
dyeing II Is to be noted that vegetable
dies are used wherever possible In the
best materials, but these dyes have
comparatively small range of color, and
therefore chemical dyes have to be as
sociated with them for the production of
delicate art shades
A handloom will be IN daily operation.