The versatility of silk
From parachutes to printing, medicine to the military – there is more to silk than meets the eye Back in the depth of history right up to futuristic ambitions, designers, scientists and engineers have found […]
Information on Silk
The Silk Road
A treacherous journey that shaped the modern world The Silk Road played a major part in the cultural and economic development of both Europe and Asia. This brutal route over land and sea transported far more […]
High performance silk thermals and base layers for outdoor sports
Patra base layer essentials are versatile, breathable and ready for action From the ski slopes to the race track and every mountain range in-between – our silk base layers work hard to keep your body […]
Yarn dyeing – Weaving an ancient tale of colour and quality
At Patra we pride ourselves in doing things properly – and in the world of dyes one method stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yarn dyeing produces a greater depth of colour and a […]
Good news from Patra
A positive review of 2013 and the warmest of wishes When you sit down with a cup of tea to read that morning’s paper, or select your favorite Sunday section to enjoy with a late […]
Taking Silk
Where does the phrase ‘taking silk’ come from? For many barristers becoming a member of the Queen’s Counsel is the ultimate goal. The status of a QC not only has formal privileges and great financial […]
Parachutes: from circus beginnings to wedding dresses
Natural fabrics, and silk in particular, have some amazing properties that have been adapted for many uses, one such being the manufacture of parachute canopies. You would think that the stringent requirements of a parachute […]
The Beauty of Silk Fabrics
Patra brings you a few fun facts that you might not have already known about silk. When the word ‘silk’ is mentioned, it immediately conjures images of waves of light and luxurious fabric in […]
Caring for silk clothing – It’s not as difficult as you might think!
Did you know you don’t have to hand wash silk? Silk is like wool – it’s a natural, protein based fabric that is surprisingly resilient and long lasting. It is often categorised as hand […]
Removing Smells and Stains from Silk Clothing and Dealing with Moths
Every so often, we receive calls from customers for help on removing particular stains from silk. In these instances, using delicate machine wash, handwash or dry cleaning your silk garments may not be […]