Interesting - using a microscope to identify fibers

[route66gal]

I just thought this was an interesting thread on the ebay boards.

using a microscope to establish fibers in old textiles (this is a clickable link - don't know if you can tell!)

I've never seen the need to go this far - but it looks like it might be an interesting alternative to burning stuff. I'm trying to figure out if you could get info on blends from this method. Probably not, but it's interesting, nonetheless!
Has anyone ever tried this?
-Melanie

 

[alonesolo]

Thats actually amazing I would have never dreamed of looking at the lines in a thread to determine what it is. I wonder if there is a chart that would tell what fabrics are supposed to look like under the microscope.

 

[route66gal]

Hmmm...found this as the source for the microscopic images used in the thread. Came from the exciting magazine "Practicing Oil Analysis". This IS interesting!<br><b>Microscopic images of fibers</b>

-Melanie

 

[bartondoll]

very interesting!

I've looked at lace through a loupe before, because it is
very hard to distinguish handmade lace from machine lace
at times. Never looked at other fibers though.

Sue