Is There a ‘Natural’ Way to Make Sequinned Fabric?
After mentioning the environmental impact of sequins in my previous post, I got into a discussion on the topic with a local crafter, which I wanted to in turn share with you here.
Basically, we began to wonder whether sequinned fabrics, or sparkly/ shimmery fabrics in general can even in theory be created using natural materials and environmentally friendly methods.
As you might imagine, the question led us down a rabbit hole of historical research.
After all, the visceral human fantasy of looking shimmery and sparkly has been around for some time. How was it achieved prior to the invention of synthetics?
The short answer: It was achieved painstakingly and expensively.
Just to provide a few examples based on a very surface amount of research:
. fabrics were embroidered using thin wire out of copper, silver or gold
. fabrics were beaded - using gemstones, crystals, pearls, and mother of pearl fragments
. fabrics were were decorated with peacock feathers, or other types of bird feathers that emanate high sheen
. and finally, perhaps the closest we can get to a sequinned effect: fabrics were decorated with fish scales, which were either kept natural or dyed (using natural dyes available at the time)
Well, then!
Considering how much fish-waste there is all around us on the Inishowen Peninsula, it would certainly make for an interesting project to make natural sequins out of scales. I imagine it would take loads of them and many, many work hours. But if any local maker is up for it, get in touch and we can collaborate. Perhaps the answer is not a densely-sequinned fabric, but just enough sequins to thread onto yarn and knit with, for a shimmery palettes effect? I would love to make it happen.
Speaking more generally though on the topic of sequins and their environmental unfriendliness, I think we need to view this in context.
Synthetic clothing in general is terrible for the environment. And while sequins are a special case, to my way of thinking it does not make sense to single them out while continuing to wear (and launder) ‘ordinary’ synthetics on a regular basis. In fact, if you are going to wear synthetics at all, one can make the argument that limiting the use of this material to special occasion pieces (of which you have few, and which do not require laundering), makes more sense than allowing it into your everyday, next-to-skin, frequently laundered items.
That being said, I believe that everyone needs to make these decisions for themselves. I have strong views on the topics, but try not to be preachy. And despite my everyday wardrobe being free of synthetics, I do own several second-hand sequinned pieces for special occasions - which sits fine with me, within the big picture of how I lead my life.
Nevertheless… The idea of fish scale sequins is appealing. Perhaps a goal for the new year!
