Shot silk

A shot silk vestment of purple and yellow, dating from about 698, is described in detail in a document written in about 1170, showing that the technique has existed since at least the 7th century.

The Latin word mainly applied to purple, although there are multiple references to purpura being red, green, and black-and-red, as well as "varied".

[5] It has also been suggested that illuminations in the Lindisfarne Gospels of c.700 show garments of shot silk being worn by the Four Evangelists.

[7] Shot silks are used today to make various kinds of garments, including ballgowns and neckties.

For example, the robes of a Cambridge Doctor of Divinity are faced with "dove" silk, which is turquoise shot with rose-pink, to create an overall grey effect.

Shot silk with a blue warp and pink weft.
Man's shot silk suit, purple warp and green weft, c. 1790 (altered c. 1805). Los Angeles County Museum of Art .