#mens hemp clothing

[timothyledick]

Stylish and Sustainable Mens Hemp Clothing

Effort's Eco-Essentials offers stylish and sustainable mens hemp clothing. Their collection features a variety of eco-friendly clothing options made from high-quality hemp fibers. You can explore their range of men's hemp clothing, including shirts, pants, and more. Visit https://eco-essentials.com/product/men-hemp-oc-short-sleeve-button-shirt/ for more.

[effortsecoesntls]

Myths About Hemp Clothing: Debunking Misconceptions About Wholesale Men's and Women's Hemp Clothing

Introduction: Hemp clothing has gained popularity in recent years due to its sustainable nature and various benefits. However, along with its rising popularity, several myths and misconceptions have emerged regarding hemp clothing, particularly in the context of men's and women's hemp clothing. In this article, we will debunk these myths and shed light on the truth behind hemp clothing, hemp clothing wholesale availability, and its suitability for both men and women.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Scratchy and Uncomfortable

One common misconception is that hemp clothing is rough and uncomfortable. In reality, hemp fabric becomes softer with each wash and wear, similar to other natural fibres such as cotton. With advancements in manufacturing techniques, hemp clothing is now available in various blends that enhance its softness and overall comfort, making it suitable for everyday wear.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Only for Hippies or Bohemian Fashion

Another myth surrounding hemp clothing is that it is limited to a specific fashion style, such as hippie or bohemian. In truth, hemp clothing has evolved to encompass a wide range of styles, from casual and laid-back to chic and contemporary. Wholesale men's and women's hemp clothing options cater to diverse fashion preferences, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Expensive Some people assume that hemp clothing is prohibitively expensive. While it's true that hemp clothing may have a slightly higher price point compared to conventional fabrics, it's important to consider the long-term value and sustainability aspects. Hemp clothing's durability and longevity justify the initial investment, as garments can withstand frequent use and washing without losing their shape or quality.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Not Versatile There is a misconception that hemp clothing is limited in terms of versatility. However, hemp fabric can be woven into a wide range of garments, including shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, and more. The versatility of wholesale mens hemp clothing and women's hemp clothing allows for different styles and outfits suitable for various occasions, from casual to formal settings.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Difficult to Care For Some believe that hemp clothing requires special care and maintenance. In reality, hemp garments can be easily cared for by following simple guidelines. Most hemp clothing can be machine-washed using gentle detergents and cold water, and air-dried or tumble-dried on low heat. Avoiding harsh chemicals and excessive heat ensures the longevity of hemp clothing.

Myth: Hemp Clothing is Only for Women Hemp clothing is often associated with women's fashion, but it is equally suitable for men. Wholesale men's hemp clothing offers a variety of options, including shirts, pants, jackets, and accessories. Men can embrace the comfort, durability, and sustainability of hemp clothing while expressing their personal style.

Conclusion:

Dispelling myths about hemp clothing is crucial to understanding its true value and potential. Wholesale men's and womens hemp clothing provides an opportunity to explore the benefits of this sustainable fabric on a larger scale. From debunking misconceptions about comfort, versatility, and cost to highlighting its ease of care and suitability for both genders, hemp clothing proves to be a viable choice for conscious consumers. Embrace the truth about hemp clothing and enjoy the eco-friendly, durable, and fashionable options it offers.

[jerrytalbotta]

Discover a curated selection of high-quality mens hemp clothing at Effort's Eco-Essentials! Embrace sustainable fashion with their range of stylish and eco-friendly garments, made from the finest hemp fibers. From comfortable hemp t-shirts to versatile hemp jeans and more, Effort's Eco-Essentials’ collection offers modern designs for the conscious man. Experience the durability, breathability, and natural beauty of hemp fabric, while contributing to a greener future. Visit https://eco-essentials.com/product-category/mens-hemp-clothing/ to learn more.

[tantrika1]

Browse Our Most Comfortable Women's Hemp Clothing Australia

Are you tired of buying cheap clothes? Tantrika is a brand that supports sustainable practices, fair trade and quality garments. The hemp fibres are durable enough for durability but soft enough to feel great against your skin. It wicks moisture from your body like no other fabric, so you never have to worry about feeling sweaty or uncomfortable. Our range of clothes is made from top-quality materials and incorporates the superior properties of hemp fibre. We love that hemp is the only natural fibre that can absorb and release moisture without feeling wet or clammy. Contact us for more details about Women's Hemp Clothing Australia.

[dorrceesblog]

Buy Premium Men's Shirt Online - Hemp fabric - Dorrcee

Shop premium men's shirts online at Dorrcee. Made from soft, breathable hemp fabric for ultimate comfort and style.

[blily2023]

Why is Hemp Fabric Clothing Best for Skin?

In a world where fashion trends are ever-evolving, consumers are increasingly seeking clothing that not only makes a style statement but also takes care of their skin. One such trend that has been gaining momentum is the use of hemp fabric in clothing. This fabric, derived from the hemp plant, is making waves in the fashion industry for its numerous benefits, especially its positive impact on the skin. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why hemp fabric clothing is good for your skin.

The fashion industry is not only about looking good but also feeling good. Hemp clothing offers a unique combination of style, comfort, and skin-friendly properties that make it an excellent choice for fashion-conscious individuals who prioritize their skin’s health.

What is Hemp Fabric?

Before we delve into the benefits, it’s essential to understand what hemp fabric is. Hemp fabric is derived from the fibers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). It’s one of the most durable and versatile natural fibers, making it an ideal choice for clothing.

Read More...

[weorgindia]

Weorg offer eco friendly clothing in India at affordable price. Explore our range of hemp clothing and be part of the change, as we redefine fashion with our eco-conscious, high-quality garments. Get 30% off on your first order. Shop Now!

[tanuki-kimono]

Priests' outfits - Jikitotsu, Daimon, and Hentetsu

(as worn during Edo period - great charts by Nadeshico Rin). You can find more about samurai ranks and their regulated attires under the tag "samurai kimono".

"Hight Priest" jikitotsu

This outfit was worn for court events by Buddhist priests of the highest rank ( 法印 Hôin) and second highest rank (法眼 Hôgen). Those titles could also be also given to 儒者 Confucian scholars, 医師doctors, Buddhist 絵師 painters and 仏師 sculptors, etc.

直綴 Jikitotsu - type of monk robe, originally made by stitching together a 偏衫 henzan (monk robe covering the upper body) and a 裙子 kunsu (monk robe covering the lower body) together. Overtime, jikitotsu came to be worn opened, more like a haori vest.

末広 Suehiro - a type of formal folding fan. TN: the fan drawn here ressemble more a 中啓 chûkei, as suehiro have curving ribs which don't seems to be the case here (find more about fan types here)

(長)袴 (Naga)bakama - hakama pants with long trailing legs, here made of hiraginu (plain silk)

白小袖 Shiro-Kosode - white kosode (=ancestor of the kimono) /or/ 帷子 Katabira - thin garment made from hemp or raw silk (worn during Summer). Note that 経帷子 kyôkatabira designates a shroud (=the white kimono used to dress the dead). /or/ 熨斗目Noshime - kosode (=ancestor of the kimono) with stripes/lattice pattern at waist area

小さ刀 Chîsagatana - small katana

"Companion" formal kimono

First people helping buddhist priests, 同朋 dôbô (lit. "companions) became overtime men attending on the Shogun, feudal lords and other high-ranked officals.

They were in charge of miscellaneous tasks (like cleaning, messengers etc.), or depending on their talents more skilled ones (dance, music, ikebana, tea ceremony etc.).

大紋 Daimon is a specific hitatare set, patterned with large 紋 mon (clan/family crests)

菊綴 Kikutoji - decorative tassel-like knots, first appeared on Heian nobility clothes. Here, those were leather ones

胸紐 Munahimo - chest ties​, first appeared on Heian nobility clothes. Here, those were leather ones

熨斗目 Noshime - kosode (=ancestor of the kimono) with stripes or lattice pattern at waist area. Also note the colored undergarments collars.

袖括 Sodekukuri - decorative sleeve ties. Originally appeared on Heian clothings (like kariginu, nôshi, etc) where they were used to tighten sleeve cuffs. Here, those were leather ones

(長)袴 (Naga)bakama - hakama pants with long trailing legs, here made of white linen

小さ刀 Chîsagatana - small katana

The Proto-haori

This outfit was the formal wear worn by lower class priests, scholars, doctors, artists, etc.

編綴 Hentetsu (lit. "stitched together") - a vest with large and long boxy sleeves, made from gauze or plain silk, most often black or dark brown. The chest straps were also made of the same fabric It evolved from 十徳 jittoku (itself a variation of 直綴 jikitotsu, see above). First a casual wear for court nobles, and then spread to lower-class samurai who wore it over their kosode from Muromachi era and on. Its use then reached other social classes during Edo period. Overtime and minor variations, it finally became known as our modern 羽織 haori

服紗(小袖) Fukusa(kosode) - a kosode (=ancestor of the kimono) bearing crest, and made from soft silk (like habutae or rinzu). In summer, it was a katabira (thin garment made from hemp or raw silk) /or/ 熨斗目 Noshime - kosode (=ancestor of the kimono) with stripes or lattice pattern at waist area

[dresshistorynerd]

Dress History Corner Navigation

Welcome to the corner of the interned where I nerd about (mostly) Western dress history! This is the post I will update with all my more structured and researched articles. I have the same navigation on my blog, but it's only for the browser so I figured it would be useful to have navigation that work for the app too.

Some basics

An Introductory Timeline Of Western Women's Fashion

How I do my research into dress history

Dress History

Lacing in Western Fashion History

Dress Etiquette Thorough Western History

When Did It Become Acceptable For Western Women To Wear Pants?

When Did Skirts Stop Being Acceptable For Western Men To Wear?

Is Lingerie Going Backwards - A Rebuttal

The history of showing your boobs for fashion

Victorian Era

A summary of different kinds of corsets

Historical Finnish Clothing of Modern Period

Victorian Dress For Every Occasion - 1890s Edition

1890s Day Dresses

American Civil War era (1861-65) ball gown

Regency

Debunking the common narrative about Beau Brummel - The whole modern men's fashion is not the fault of One Guy

Gender non-conforming Regency styles

18th century

The Colonial History of How Cotton Became the Most Important Fabric

Mantua And It's Variants

Northern Italian countryside fashion in late 18th century.

Working Class Clothing In Late 18th Century France

Early Modern Era

Deep Dive into 15th and 16th Century Working Class Fashion in Western Europe

Medieval Era

Late 14th to Early 15th Century Bohemian and German Men's Fashion

Construction of Men's Hose

Codpiece

Construction of the French hood

Iron Age

Viking and Crusader Age Finnish men's dress

Historical Sewing

Sewing Medieval Bathhouse Dress

For Dolls

Sewing mid-16th century Venetian dress in doll scale

Sewing mid-16th century Venetian dress in doll scale - Part 2

Sewing 1890s day dress in doll scale

Historical Costuming

History of the Fantasy Corset

Met Gala 2022 Costume Commentary

Pride and Prejudice 2005 Costume Analysis

Ranking Men's Costumes in Renaissance Period Dramas - Part I: The Bad

Ranking Men's Costumes in Renaissance Period Dramas - Part II: The Good

Textiles

Hemp's properties

Sustainability

How to see through the greenwashing propaganda of the fashion industry - Case study 1: Shein

The Real Cost of the Fashion Industry

The Morrisian case against fast fashion

Architectural History

History of Sauna and Steam Baths

History

Palestinian History Between Great Powers

European History Is Not White

Queer History

Julie d'Aubigny

Roughly 10 Cool Historical Queer Figures More People Should Know About: From Ancient Era to Early Modern Era

Tag Navigation

#answers

#resources

Primary sources

#primary sources

#extant garment

#photograph

#painting

#illustration

#fashion plate

#historical ads

Pinterest Boards

Victorian Fashion

Ko-fi

[timothyledick]

Explore Effort's Eco-Essentials’ collection of sustainable and stylish mens hemp clothing! Their range of hemp clothing for men is designed to provide comfort, durability and functionality, all while reducing the environmental impact. Visit https://eco-essentials.com/product-category/mens-hemp-clothing/ to browse their collection of eco-friendly men's hemp clothing today!

[effortsecoesntls]

Healthy Benefits of Wearing Hemp Clothing

Hemp clothing has gained significant recognition in the fashion industry due to its sustainable nature and numerous benefits. Beyond its eco-friendly characteristics, hemp clothing also offers several health advantages for both men and women. In this article, we will delve into the world of hemp clothing, specifically focusing on mens hemp clothing and women's hemp shirts and clothing, and explore the healthy benefits that come with wearing them.

Hypoallergenic Properties: Hemp clothing is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies. The natural fibers of hemp are gentle and non-irritating, reducing the risk of skin reactions. Men's and women's hemp shirts and clothing can provide relief to those prone to skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.

Breathability and Moisture-Wicking: Hemp fabric is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate freely and regulate body temperature. It has excellent moisture-wicking properties, drawing moisture away from the skin and facilitating evaporation. Wearing hemp shirts and clothing helps to keep the body cool and dry, preventing the build-up of sweat and potential discomfort.

UV Protection: Hemp clothing offers natural UV protection. The dense fibers of hemp fabrics act as a barrier against harmful ultraviolet rays. Men's and women's hemp shirts and clothing can provide an additional layer of defense against sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term sun damage.

Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties: Hemp fibers possess inherent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This means that hemp clothing has the ability to resist the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. By wearing hemp shirts and clothing, you can enjoy the benefits of reduced odor-causing bacteria and a cleaner, fresher feel.

Thermoregulation: Hemp clothing is known for its thermoregulatory properties, allowing it to adapt to different weather conditions. In colder temperatures, hemp fibers help to retain body heat, providing insulation and warmth. Conversely, in warmer climates, hemp fabric facilitates the efficient evaporation of sweat, promoting cooling and comfort.

Environmentally-Friendly Production: The production of hemp clothing involves minimal chemical processing and uses significantly less water compared to conventional fabrics. This eco-friendly production process reduces the release of harmful chemicals into the environment, making hemp clothing a sustainable choice that contributes to a healthier planet.

Durability and Longevity: Hemp clothing is renowned for its durability and longevity. The strong and sturdy nature of hemp fibers ensures that garments withstand frequent washing and extended use without losing their shape or quality. Investing in men's and womens hemp clothing means having reliable, long-lasting pieces in your wardrobe.

The Bottom Line:

Wearing hemp clothing offers numerous healthy benefits for both men and women. From hypoallergenic properties to breathability, UV protection, and antibacterial attributes, hemp clothing provides comfort and protection for the wearer. Additionally, the environmentally-friendly production methods and durability of hemp clothing make it a sustainable and long-term investment. Embrace the health advantages of hemp clothing and enjoy the benefits of a natural, eco-friendly wardrobe.

[delightingintragedy]

Saturn Correspondences

From Christian Astrology by William Lilly

(It is mostly word for word. I tried to format it to fit into a nice correspondence list, but the information itself is untouched.)

Zodiac: His houses are Capricorn as his Night-house, and Aquarius as his Day-house. Exalted in Libra, Fall in Aries, and Rules Aquarius.

Nature: Diurnal Planet, Cold and Dry and moist Vapors, Melancholic, Earthly, Masculine, the greater Infortune, author of Solitariness, Malevolent

Profession: Curriers, Night-farmers, Miners under ground, Tinners, Potters, Broom-men, Plumbers, Brick-makers, Malsters, Chimney-sweepers, Sextons of Churches, Bearers of dead corpses, Scavengers, Hostlers, Colliers, Carters, Gardeners, Ditchers, Chandlers, Dyers of black Cloth, a Herdsman, Shepherd or Cow-keeper.

Sicknesses: All Impediments in the right Ear, Teeth, all quartan Agues proceeding of cold, dry and melancholy Distempers, Leprosies, Rheumes, Consumption, black Jaundice, Palsies, Tremblings, vain Fears, Fantasies, Dropsy, the Hand and Foot-gout, Apoplexies, Dog-hunger, too much flux of the Hemorrhoids, Ruptures if in Scorpio or Leo, in any ill aspect with Venus.

Savors: Sour, Bitter, Sharp

Herbs: Bearsfoot, Starwort, Wolf-bane, Hemlock, Fern, Hellebore the white and black, Henbane, Ceterach or Finger-fern, Clotbur or Burdock, Parsnip, Dragon, Pulse, Vervain, Mandrake, Poppy, Moss, Nightshade, Bythwind, Angelica, Sage, Box, Tutsan, Orage or golden Herb, Spinach, Shepherd's Purse, Cumin, Horsetail, Fumitory

Plants & Trees: Tamarisk, Savine, Senna, Capers, Rue or Herbgrace, Polypody, Willow or Sallow Tree, Yew-tree, Cypress tree, Hemp, Pine-tree

Beasts: The Ass, Cat, Hare, Mouse, Mole, Elephant, Bear, Dog, Wolf, Basilisk, Crocodile, Scorpion, Toad, Serpent, Adder, Hog, all manner of creeping Creatures breeding of putrefaction, either in the Earth, Water or Ruins of House.

Fishes: The Eel, Tortoise, Shell-fishes

Birds, etc: The Bat or Blude-black, Crow, Lapwing, Owl, Gnat, Crane, Peacock, Grasshopper, Thrush, Blackbird, Ostrich, Cuckoo

Places: Deserts, Woods, obscure Valleys, Caves, Dens, Holes, Mountains, or where men have been burried, Churchyards, etc. Ruined Buildings, Coal-mines, Sinks, Dirty or Stinking Muddy Places, Wells and Houses of Offices

Minerals: Lead, Loadstone, the Dross of all Metals, as also the Dust and Rubbish of everything.

Stones: Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, all black, ugly Country Stones not polishable, and of a sad ashy or black color.

Weather: Cloudy, Dark, obscure Air, cold and hurtful, thick, black and cadense Clouds: but of this more particularly in a Treatise by itself.

Winds: Eastern Winds

Angel: Cassiel

Planetary Alliances: Works well with Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury. Does not work well with Mars and Venus.

Week day: Saturday

Correspondence posts for the other planets: [Sun] [Moon] [Mercury] [Venus] [Mars] [Jupiter]

[harpersoath]

one day he saw some country people busily engaged in pulling up nettles; he examined the plants, which were uprooted and already dried, and said: "they are dead. nevertheless, it would be a good thing to know how to make use of them. when the nettle is young, the leaf makes an excellent vegetable; when it is older, it has filaments and fibres like hemp and flax. nettle cloth is as good as linen cloth. chopped up, nettles are good for poultry…with the exercise of a little care, the nettle could be made useful; it is neglected and it becomes hurtful. then, it is exterminated. how many men resemble the nettle!" he added, after a pause: "Remember this, my friends: there are no such things as bad plants or bad men. There are only bad cultivators."

— from les misérables, by victor hugo

[helloescapist]

Whisper of the Woods | Muichiro Part II

Word Count: 1213

Setting: Muichiro xmale!reader (platonic)

Content Warning(s): SFW, fantasy AU, relatoinship is platonic/friends, slow build

Summary: a gentle hand that returns

A/N: just going to make mini shorts building this relationship until I have time to *actually* write my conclusion. You can find part one, and the request here.

Leaves littered from the trees. Umbered waves of oranges touched upon the essence of marigolds. Reds that captivated the blush that claimed your mother’s features when your father would whisper his affections, and the yellows that broke the sunlight of the setting days, fallen leaves that danced in the wind. Soothed and swirled, captivated your young heart, and brought color to an often-gray world inside of your village. Life was often dreary, stuffy for one so young. The confines of the village, erected walls built upon shattered logs, and splintered wood had grown darker, only the small peeks of the world beyond your borders and the breath of the approaching winter that spirited the forest’s discards offered vibrancy into your world. So young, and completely oblivious to the work of those around you. The small touch of crisp air that touched upon your round cheeks, old enough to wander from your mother’s sights, but far too little to join in the majority of labor that the village held. Older children busied with tasks to assist their parents; infants and toddlers strapped to their mother’s backs as they set to tending to household tasks, and pillaging the family gardens in the hopes of storing food for the upcoming winter. Your father, and the rest of the men in the village gone from your sight. Those worthy enough to bear arrows dedicated to bringing home what hunt they could, and those incapable of wielding such burdens left to forage through the forest floors. Botan, a village boy who often humored your boredom with attention and care, had now taken up responsibility as you had yourself. Returning late into the night as your father did, his hands that had once been soft as they held your own bestowing small gifts of carved dragonflies, were now calloused and blistered the last you had dared to reach for them. Scratched and marred, the small wince of your sudden intrusion revealed on his features before revealing a large smile. The bend of his knee to meet the proper eye level as he pressed something sweet between your teeth, a stow away   raspberry. Bittersweet as the callous fingers that ruffled your hair before retiring for the day. Tired, weary as the leaves that fell between your fingers. When was it, life had felt so stiff, so suffocating?

              The thought was intrusive, curious as the passing leaves that greeted the village. The small ruffling of leaves behind you, your own duties that awaited. The hick of a small child, fumbling through the leaves. High pitch laughter that echoed into your ears, the past winter having gifted you a responsibility of your own. Her small cloth that concealed her fair skin from the brisk air, the tuff of dark hair pulled into a ponytail. Reminiscent of an onion, round and chubby at the high of her cheeks. Long eyelashes that danced in her glee as she squaled to the newfound curiousities that brightened your world. Her joy reflected on her own, as you beckoned Amaya to play.  

              The bounce of her brightly colored hemp temari ball. Echoed rose pinks, and shy blues collected from dyes selected from the forest echoed amongst the crunch of leaves. A rare item amongst the villagers, the opt of such delights limited amongst the children, and unlike to come across.  Out of reach for the mass majority, but how prideful your mother had been to craft such a gift for her children. The crinkle of her smile, much like the one the toddler grew at the crunch of foliage. The breath of the day, warm and inviting, one of the rare opportunities, to just play. Amaya’s joyful screeches eliciting the flutter of feathers, birds sponged from their hiding. The sudden burst having drawn her surprise, and the tumble of her ball from her reach. Bounded, and bounced crunch by crunch as it rolled through a small gap in the barriers.  Rustle, and the shatter of your little sister’s heart, just as the ones to come for your mother when she returned home from the fields. Calloused, and worn from the days work as she often was, to discover your sister’s tears .The knot that formed in your stomach as your fingers struggled to sooth her rolling teers. The ache of her breast as she heaved boogies, and tumbled through the leaves into your arms. Coiled and broken as the fists that met Amaya’s eyelashes.

              “sssh, It’ll be okay,” you whispered to her soothingly as you attempted to quell her tears. The sentiment that lacked depth as you could not help but wonder, when was it you had begun to notice how the color had faded from your world. The elders all insisted that it was the season, autumn would give way to winter, and survival was blanched in the weariness of the world. “Stay right here, be a good girl.”

Crawled forward on wobbly knees. Whispered tales, uttered amongst the village. Elders painted portraits of monsters of the woods, delighted in sharing tales to the younger generation. Forewarned of danger, of atrocities, and loss. Each tale weaved in folk lore, whether fiction or truth you were unsure, and yet, yet. As you stood crouched emotionally preparing yourself to venture forward. Chided yourself for falling for such childish fears—Grandpa Yama often discovered cheer in terrifying village children, Botan had told you time and time again to take his input with a grain a salt, but the very same had been said to mind the rules of the village. Never enter the forest alone. The clench of your jaw, as you pressed forward on a queasy stomach. Drawn forward on all fours, leaning forward at the gap between the barrier in which the ball had slipped forward. Its vibrant colors easily detected amongst the grass. Playful, and vibrant amongst fallen leaves. Luminescent of a world that you could not understand, struggled to grasp the depths of reality. The trace of your eyes, scanning the surroundings. Neither hair nor tail of beast to be discovered, but this did not mean that sticking your arm through such a gap would be without its risks… The lump of your throat that threatened to form, as your hand trembled grasping for hidden strength. The tip of your fingers that traced amongst blades of grass, further and further, the strain of your arm deepening the realization that sunk in the pit of your stomach.

              The ball was out of reach.

              Defeat that hung in your lungs, eyes that traced the barrier and struggled to navigate the enclosure. Amaya. Mom. Your form far to small to bear the strength to heave yourself up the walls. Unaccustomed to track up the logs, or scale the walls. Echoed in your heart, as the guilt accumulated on your shoulders. Weighed down, pressed the frown to your lips. Far too old to cry this way, you scolded yourself as it weighed upon your heart. Drew into pitiful complaints and grew with each passing second until you could only hear the faint crush of leaves, tumbled delicately towards you. The tap of the ball against your calf, and only able to hear the distinct crunch of leaves that wandered from the barrier, disappearing into the forest beyond your grasp.

[nicklloydnow]

“We send our cotton to Manchester and Lowell, our sugar to New York refineries, our hides to down-east tanneries and our children to Yankee colleges, and are ever ready to find fault with the North because it lives by our folly. We want home manufactures and these we must have, if we are ever to be independent.

—Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph, 1859

This analysis of the Southern economy on the eve of war was classic. In 1861 the Confederate States had a population of just over 9 million, of whom about 3.5 million were slaves. The population of the United States was approximately 22 million. The South had less than half the railroad mileage of the North, and much of this track (of eleven different gauges) connected points of little military or industrial significance. More than four-fifths of the old Union's manufacturing had been carried on in the North. Southern manufactures in 1860 were worth $69 million, as opposed to $388.2 for the Middle states, $223.1 million for New England, and $201.7 million for the West. Moreover, Southern industries included such enterprises as cigar-making and the processing of chewing tobacco, which would not be very useful in making war on the Yankees. In 1860 the Southern states produced 76,000 tons of iron ore, compared to the 2.5 million tons extracted north of Mason and Dixon's Line. And in the same year Southern iron mills processed less than one-sixteenth of the 400,000 tons of iron rolled in the United States. At birth the Confederate South lacked not only an industrial base, but also the skills, raw materials, and transportation to establish war industries.

Southern capital had long been invested in land and slaves, singularly unliquid asserts. The land and slaves produced-they produced raw staples which were useless in the raw and which as a general rule were refined outside the South. On the eve of war Southern soil grew an estimated four-fifths of the world's supply of cotton. Yet Southern cotton mills were valued in 1860 at about one-tenth of the total valuation of cotton mills in the United States. And armies could neither wear nor shoot cotton bales. Southern farmers raised cattle, but Southern leather products in 1860 were worth $4 million as opposed to $59 million in the rest of the country. Southern farmers raised hemp, but the Confederacy suffered from a severe shortage of rope. There were some sheep in the upper South in 1860, but Southerners had invested $1.3 million in woolen mills compared to $35 million elsewhere in the United States. From the height of hindsight, then, we can see that the Southern agrarian economy in 1861 offered little to a blockaded Southern nation about to engage in protracted, total war. To grasp the economic revolution wrought by the Confederate experience we must constantly recall the military-industrial poverty of its origins.

We must emphasize also two other constants on the liability side of the Confederate balance sheet—the economic role of the Southern army and the rampant inflation which characterized Southern fiscal policy. Both of these factors are and were obvious, but so obvious as to be often overlooked.

Of the 9 million Confederates in 1861, approximately 1,280,000 were of military age, that is, white males between fifteen and fifty years old. Eventually the Confederacy mobilized approximately 850,000 men. With this army marched the Confederacy's hopes of nationhood. Yet an army is essentially a consumer; it produces only security and in the case of the Confederacy sometimes not much of that. The Southern army consumed food, clothing, ordnance, transportation, livestock forage, and more. And of course it consumed these things at a rate much higher than an equivalent number of civilians. Still in an economic context, every Southern consumer-soldier was one less badly needed producer. And this removal of producers from the Confederate economy hurt not only the South's incipient industrial efforts, but also her agriculture.

The other chronic crisis which plagued the Confederate economy involved the spiraling inflation of the currency. On this subject Charles W. Ramsdell has concluded, "If I were asked what was the greatest single weakness of the Confederacy, I should say, without much hesitation, that it was in this matter of finances. The resort to irredeemable paper money and to excessive issues of such currency was fatal, for it weakened not only the purchasing power of the government but also destroyed economic security among the people." The Confederate government, under the guidance of Secretary of the Treasury Christopher G. Memminger, tried to finance the war effort at one time or another by loans, bonds, taxation, and confiscation. When all else failed the Confederacy unleashed the printing presses, flooded the country with fiat currency, and then tried to stay the inflationary spiral by repudiating a portion of its own currency. The effect of the government's monetary policy on Confederate Southerners was incalculable. Wages never kept pace with prices, and salaried men knew genuine privation. Military reverses after 1862 further undermined what shaky faith was left in the currency. In desperation the Treasury Department issued currency "legal tender for all debts private," not public. A government which refused to accept its own money did not exactly inspire soaring confidence. Confederate fiscal policy was characterized by some realism, some blunders, and a pervading illusion that the war would soon be over. It is tempting to scoff at such chaos. But Ramsdell himself conceded, "If you then ask me how, under the conditions which existed in April, 1861, the Confederate government could have avoided this pitfall, I can only reply that I do not know."

Alongside the external problems posed by the length of the war and the federal blockade, the hard facts of Confederate economic life were: (I) the warring South inherited a staple-crop, agrarian economy; (2) inflationary currency was inevitable for a nation trying to carry on a war with only $27 million in "hard" money; and (3) to exist the South depended upon a large armed body of consumers. These liabilities, internal and external, conditioned the economic response to what became a war of attrition. Yet that response, when compared to the antebellum status quo, constituted nothing less than an economic revolution. In contrast to the economy of the Old South, the Confederate Southern economy was characterized by the decline of agriculture, the rise of industrialism, and the rise of urbanization.” - Emory M. Thomas, ‘The Confederacy as a Revolutionary Experience’ (1970) [p. 79 - 82]

[herenortherenearnorfar]

For @aipilosse late but much labored over. Family Pulled From a Flood was one of the best fics I got to read this year (Elwing! Reproductive health! Community!) and I had to do a little tribute to it.

For her children, she weaves.

It is not her greatest skill—not this kind of weaving, standing up at a loom tall as she is, with a wingspan to match a gull’s. Linen thread is too fine and slippery, she does far better with reed plaits or hemp canvas. Fishing nets require diligence, but they hold no grudge if the knot is tied twice or a thousand times.

Table fabric, clothing fabric, must be smooth, dense, light. Every snapped thread must be replaced and every gap in the pattern accounted for. She will not give her children much but she will give them this.

She lays the warp threads out, ten for every length of her thumb. All told there over a hundred of them, divided into pairs and tied to loom weights. Still, the elven ladies will sigh and tell her of how high thread counts could climb in Menegroth, where Melian showed her weavers to make mist-thin cotton, silver as the stars.

It would seem like a fairy tale if not for the little nightdress she was carried away in, which sits in a special drawer separate from her mundane clothes. A muslin shift, deceptively simple until you look at it sideways and see the waterfalls and willow leaves embroidered into the very weave. From one angle, nightingales dance around the collar, and from another there are leaping hounds. Whenever she holds it—a rare occurrence for it makes her teary—it feels like air in her hands.

There is only one of it, and she is having twins. Besides, some heirlooms should stay buried.

They will have new clothes, her children, fresh linens for a fresh world. The first two years they won’t need much. Lady Arien, friend to Men, swoops lower and lower each year, trying to spook the Enemy away. To cope with the sweltering heat, most of the Bëorian children go naked except a waist cloth and some simple charms. She won’t deprive them of playmates—both she and Eärendil are aware of how difficult it is to make friends with a title in the way. Duty will have its say eventually though, and they’ll need formal clothes.

She rests her hands on her belly and thinks—swaddling clothes for the younger years. A shirt for the ages of two to five. A vest and trousers will be suitable after that, but she’ll wait until they’re of a consultable age to start work on those.

This early in the pregnancy, there have been no kicks or flutters. The constant nausea, making her feel like a disgruntled owl, is so far the only physical manifestation of her condition.

Yet she can feel them. They flicker on the very edge of her consciousness, two potentials not yet filled. It is like the awareness of two great cups on her periphery. Every time she looks back there is another drop of water inside, and still so much more to go! They will be expansive.

“What do you think?” she asks them, “Shall I stop dawdling?”

They give no answer.

The weft thread is even finer than the warp, like gossamer. A single strand of it disappears in her fingers, cobweb until light hits it. The whole skein must be a hundred yards of hair thin silver.

It’s not her spinning. She hasn’t announced her pregnancy officially yet, as Men are prone to early losses. Silence sometimes speaks louder than words, and tributes have been piling up at her door; hand-me-down teething rings of thick elk bone, waist-bands of carved wooden leaves, shell bracelets, tiny stud earrings, restorative tonics, and thread— so much thread.

The Eldar, who spin the finest, expect her to be a weaver. It is a princess’s right—weave the cloth, bake the bread. She’ll have to teach her children, regardless of gender, so that they can teach their daughters. She and Eärendil have always assumed they are mortal; better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed.

Openwork every two hands of the baby wraps, she decides, to keep it light. A simple, geometric gauze of knotted weft. It’s a Gondolindrim technique, used especially with contrasting threads to create a dizzying multicolored sheer, but it can be adapted to the whitework of Sirion. Idril wouldn’t mind. Besides, she has the thread for it, right twisted crepe from one of the Gnomish townspeople.

She counts her threads, does the calculations, and begins to weave.

The first few inches are a simple linen weave, in and out, in and out, then swap for the next row. The greatest challenge is keeping the warp straight. No wonder Gwînd has a thousand eyes, she must watch so many little threads. It would go faster if she had someone to beat the weft for her, instead of having to pause every few rows to tighten the work. On the whole, however, she enjoys the solitude. Outside her window, two stories below, she can hear the town bustling, the hills calling. Further still sounds the sea.

Soon the light will be gone and she’ll put it away her shuttle. First, she’d like to finish a band of openwork.

She picks her place carefully, hits the weft above it a few times for good measure, and begins. It’s to be diamonds, not quite the shape of the Jewel that has brought them safety but not far off either. Where each point begins, she twists the warp threads together, two twining on two, and secures each foursome with a knot in the weft. It’s like making a fishing net, the repetitive twists, loops, and ties.

When you weave, you have to know your position in the design. Elwing has never struggled with belonging. Sometimes she thinks could suffocate in it, like a flailing man in tidal flat quicksand, but that sort of melancholy is short-lived. She’d rather her children grow up here, where they are loved by people who have loved their like before, than in the West or Balar or any other haven on the face of the earth.

“I cannot promise your house will be safe,” she tells them, setting down her shuttle and examining her work. Seven diamonds, in a staggered semi-circle. They’ll become stars when she goes over it with embroidery thread, a facsimile of the holy Belaicritha. “It’s a good place though. A kind place; there are too few of those left.”

Still so much left to do! Babies are a trial to raise right.

Elwing finishes her weaving one month after her feet start to ache. The last few yards require an extra set of hands and she’s far too tired to do anything fancy. That must be saved for post-production.

Once she’s off her feet, the next stages can begin. Her panel of experienced human midwives have advised her to limit her activity, as twins are a challenge for human women and practically unheard of for elves (her mother had older twin sisters, but her most of her maternal family is dead). They’re worried the neck of her womb is too short, worried her pulse beats too hard, worried she hasn’t gained enough weight. Her children burn bright in the back of her mind, stars slowly turning into suns, but Elwing worries too.

Elven children are precious gems, shepherded and protected, and rarely lost. Out of the five half-elven children Elwing knows of, two have met horrible fates before the age of eight and two have been only children.

She wishes she’d asked Idril more about her history of miscarriage. She wishes her mother were here.

While Elwing takes meetings in the cobblestone courtyard that doubles as a laundry, she makes her children clothes. The baby wraps are tied off with tassels and over-embroidered, the gauzy spaces reinforced against curious little fingers. She knits warmer blankets of their rare wool, gathered from the semi-wild sheep who consent to be sheared once a year. These she makes durable, dyed the light blue the wood elves call elu.

With four yards of her best linen, she stitches together their shirts, carefully aligning the lay of the cloth so the drawn-thread embroidery will be even. The sleeves and collars are wide, with adjustable buttons, so they can grow into them as they age.

She stitches the outline of birds, sailing ships (just two triangles perpendicular), sprays of water creasting up, rosettes. With the tiny silver scissors that were part of her dower, a scrap of a city long toppled, she cuts away the weft inside.

With the leftovers she makes ribbons, handfuls of cutwork lace to tie back their hair or tie up their skirts.

“You do not have to do it alone,” she is cautioned, by many fronts.

“I know. But I want to. I want them to be wrapped up in my love.”

Her mother was a great weaver, despite her youth. Sometimes, when Elwing looks at her little nightdress, all that remains of a childhood she barely remembers, she wonders if Nimloth made it, pouring herself into every shimmering thread.

Elrond has little of his childhood, and less that has survived the years. His first sword was lost in a petty battle, his brother left of his own will. But there’s a scarf he keeps folded in a cedar chest…

It was Elros’ originally, he remembers that much. Elros screamed until they let him bring it. Maglor stripped their little linen shirts away a few months later, “they’re too small for big boys, he said, and it’s too cold here in the badlands”. What he did with them Elrond does not know. But Elros kept the scarf and since they slept together it served as comfort for the both of them. On such small children it could be a shawl, even a blanket.

The linen did not hold warmth well, especially not woven so full of holes. And it always smelled faintly of smoke, a scent that could bring them to tears on a bad day. It should not have been so reassuring, to come home and dig their fists into the burnished weave.

“It holds the talisman of the starsetter,” he’d tell his brother, “So it can chase monsters away.”

He said it so authoritatively, like it was a fact he’d always known.

When Elros went to Númenor he left it in Elrond’s care. “You are to be the one who remembers,” he said, “This is worth recording.”

“There are many ways of putting down a history,” Elrond protested, “Keep it for your children.”

“They might learn the story,” Elros insisted, “But they will never know the loneliness, not while I still breath. They will not understand, and I will not have it any other way.

When he attended on the King’s deathbed, he brought the scarf, yellowed with age.

Now it sits in a box.

He shows it to his children, because he wants them to understand fear, even if he hates the idea of them experiencing it. They nod solemnly but they don’t really know, and for that he’s glad.

One day, acting on an urge he cannot name, he shows it to Glorfindel. It’s become a habit to introduce him to all antiquities, on the off chance that he recognizes them, but Elrond doubts he’d know the provenance of a linen wrap.

“Ah, that’s Gondolin weaving!” he says brightly, “Though—hmm, I’m no expert in textiles, but the overwork seems Iathrim. And the linen is very grey; we preferred an eggshell if we couldn’t get marble white. Someone must have made this after I died.”

“Yes, it’s from Sirion.” At times, neutrality is the best one can strive for.

Glorfindel inspects it with renewed fervor, never touching the surface of the fabric (which still, after all these centuries, holds a slight sheen).

“It isn’t Princess Idril’s work,” he declares finally.

When he’s gone, Elrond does something he hasn’t since childhood, and buries his face in it.

Strange, maybe it’s the long years, or all the places it’s travelled. Maybe it’s how he’s grown. The smell of smoke has obviously faded from the linen in the past several millennia, but lingering behind it is the subtle scent of the sea.

Notes: I tried to mirror some of the Sindarin in Family Pulled From a Flood; Gwînd for Vairë, the Belaicritha for the Valacirca. The weaving and embroidery described is a combination of Peruvian gauze techniques adapted to an Attic loom and Hardanger embroidery.