Visited Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan. I thought it would be just a sterile factory but it was far from that. Many adobe buildings with vegie and flower gardens between. Grape vines, fruit trees (especially persimmon) and a lovely feel.
Uzbekistan is the 3rd largest producer of silk in the world behind India and China.
Followed the entire silk process from silkworms to fabric or rugs. I've seen this in different countries and I love that the equipment, process and people are different in each place. And much of the equipment could be put together by a home handi-man from bits and pieces in the back yard. The equipment is very simple and has probably been the same for hundreds of years.
Mechanised weaving
Uzbekistan is the 3rd largest producer of silk in the world behind India and China.
These first photos were taken by Win and are absolutely stunning
The first woman feeds about 30 silk threads through to this woman who uses this wheel to spin them into one thread.
Followed the entire silk process from silkworms to fabric or rugs. I've seen this in different countries and I love that the equipment, process and people are different in each place. And much of the equipment could be put together by a home handi-man from bits and pieces in the back yard. The equipment is very simple and has probably been the same for hundreds of years.
This is the man who winds the threads into
300 metre lengths.
All natural dyes
The dyeing room
Rugs
Handweaving of Ikat silks
Win's beautiful photograph of a young embroiderer
Mechanised weaving
There was a huge room full of these weaving looms left over from soviet times.
Most seemed to be going at once and the noise was deafening. OH&S may not have hit Uzbekistan yet and the workers didn't seem to be using ear plugs.
One woman came up and put her arm around me and asked where I was from. People are very friendly.
I had no idea where Uzbekistan was but it looks well worth visiting. How about a few pictures of the cities and country side?
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