Sinew Thread

Deer sinews, used to make threads. Deer sinews, used to make threads.

A sinew (tendon) is a tough, flexible band of connective tissue that connects muscles to bone, in animals and humans. A sinew is made of numerous long fibres. Animal sinews, especially from deer, have been used in various societies where the main fabric used for clothing is leather. It is applied as a short thread for sewing fabrics together and for applying decorative beads, quills etc.

The thread is made by pounding the end of a dry sinew with a rounded stone. This action causes the individual sinew fibres, which tend to be intertwined, to separate. This beating process continues along the whole length of the sinew. Afterwards, the individual fibres are further separated by hand. Sometimes the fibres are used singularly, on other occasions two or more fibres are plied together.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, artificial sinew thread (waxed dacron) was available for leather working, book binding etc.

Animal sinews, especially those of deer, are also used in Chinese medicines.

Digital source (retrieved 27 April 2017).

Digital source of illustration (retrieved 27 April 2017).

GVE

Last modified on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 19:03
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