Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 292: Making Cotton-padded Cotton Cotton Pants, What Should I Embroider?

Yuyu held several pieces of fabrics of different patterns in her hands, her eyes sparkling. She gestured and said, "Mom, this cotton-padded jacket, I think it would look really nice if I used this kind of lace with small flowers along the collar and cuffs. It would look delicate and playful."

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, responding, "Yeah, Yuyu, that's a good idea. If you take in the cuffs a little bit and make them into little lantern sleeves, it will look even better."

After hearing this, Yuyu clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Yes, Mom, you are really great. This makes it even more beautiful."

As she spoke, she picked up another piece of fabric, tilted her head and thought for a moment before continuing, "What about this one? I want to embroider a few little butterflies on the front of the dress, using those colorful silk threads. They'll be so lifelike that when you put it on, it'll look like butterflies fluttering around you. How interesting."

Xiaoyu looked at the fabric carefully and suggested, "The butterfly embroidery is quite beautiful, but you can use gold thread to outline the butterfly's wings. That way, they will sparkle in the sun and be more colorful."

"Wow, Mom, that's a great idea!"

Yuyu's face was full of surprise. She picked up the third piece and said, "There's this one too. I'm planning to sew a furry border around the corner. It'll feel soft and will definitely be warm and cute when worn. What do you think?"

Xiaoyu reached out and touched the fabric, then smiled and said, "That's great. Yuyu's ideas are very creative. Once all these cotton-padded jackets are made, each one will be like a work of art. I'm sure everyone will like them very much."

Xiaoyu took the fabric for the padded coat and trousers prepared for the retired emperor, examining them carefully. She said, "The retired emperor's padded coat and trousers must be made both warm and elegant. For the coat, choose a traditional double-breasted style. Border the collar, cuffs, and hem with dark-patterned brocade. This will give it a sense of calm and luxury."

Yuyu nodded aside, her eyes full of agreement, and said, "Mom, you're right. For the cotton trousers, let's choose a thicker fabric in a darker color. It's stain-resistant and looks more dignified. We can also use the same dark-patterned brocade at the bottom of the trousers and slightly gather the edges. It will look great when paired with the cotton coat."

Xiaoyu smiled and touched Yuyu's head, then continued, "Well, also, we can embroider a simple and elegant longevity character in gold thread in the center of the front of the cotton-padded jacket. It has a good meaning, wishing the emperor a long and healthy life. As for the cotton-padded pants, we can make the knees a little thicker. After all, old people need to keep their knees warm, so they will be more comfortable to wear this way."

After hearing this, Yuyu couldn't help but applaud and praise: "Wow, mother, you are so thoughtful. The emperor will definitely be warm and satisfied wearing such cotton clothes and trousers."

Xiaoyu unfolded the cloth again, gestured, and said, "We'll measure the size later. We have to be very careful when cutting it. Every detail must be in place. We can't be careless. This is made for the emperor."

Yuyu responded sweetly, "I know, mother. We will do our best to ensure that the emperor can spend the winter in warmth."

Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "The emperor's cotton-padded jacket and trousers must reflect the emperor's majesty. The jacket should be made into a wide-sleeved robe, with the cuffs and collar trimmed with bright yellow brocade embroidered with dragon patterns. The dragon patterns should be embroidered delicately, lifelike, as if about to take flight, to show off his nobility."

"The front is also embroidered with a large dragon pattern, using a combination of gold and colored thread. It must be dazzling in the sun. The cotton trousers are the same color, and the hems are also trimmed with dragon-patterned brocade. The overall look is very imposing."

Yuyu listened, nodded repeatedly, and then asked curiously: "Mother, what about the Queen's?"

Xiaoyu continued, "The queen's attire must be elegant and regal. Choose a slim-fitting, double-breasted cotton-padded jacket with a collar, cuffs, and hem trimmed with pink satin embroidered with phoenixes. The phoenixes are so delicate and beautiful that they seem to be spreading their wings and dancing."

"The clothes are then embroidered with auspicious floral patterns in a staggered pattern, paired with phoenix patterns, to create a more dignified and elegant look. The cotton trousers are made of the same color, and small flowers are embroidered on the hems as embellishments. The overall look is both gentle and noble."

"Wow, great." Yuyu's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "What about the princes'?"

Xiaoyu smiled and replied, "For the princes, cotton coats can be made with narrow sleeves and a cinched waist. The collar and cuffs should be trimmed with blue or cyan brocade, a color that highlights their heroic spirit. They can be embroidered with simple cloud patterns or auspicious animal patterns, making them appear vigorous and respectable. Cotton trousers can also be matched with the color of the clothes, with thicker cotton in key areas like the knees, to facilitate their daily activities while providing sufficient warmth."

"Yeah, then the princesses' must be more beautiful." Yu Yu said impatiently.

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Of course. Princesses' cotton-padded jackets need to be delicate and lovely. They can be slanted-lapel styles, with the collar, cuffs, and hems trimmed with various bright pink satins, and embroidered with beautiful butterflies, flowers, and other patterns. Each piece looks like the dress of a flower fairy. Cotton-padded pants can also be made to match, with small bows tied at the bottom of the pants. When they put them on, they will look like real little princesses."

As Yuyu listened, her mind seemed to have already emerged with those exquisite cotton-padded clothes and trousers. She said excitedly: "Mom, when they are made, they will definitely look great. Everyone will definitely like them."

Li Hao looked at the pile of cotton and cloth that were ready for making, and said to Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao with a smile: "Brother Cheng, Brother Qin, we have a lot of work to do, but we have to make cotton-padded clothes and trousers for the emperor and his family, so we have to do our best and not make any mistakes."

Cheng Chumo patted his chest and responded confidently, "Don't worry, Brother Li. We will definitely do our best. Although we can't be as meticulous as my sister-in-law and Miss Yuyu in needlework, we will take care of the hard work of spreading the cotton and compacting it. We will make sure that every cotton-padded jacket and trousers are warm."

Qin Huaidao also nodded and agreed, "Yes, that's right. We should all do our part. Also, the sizes must be accurate. I heard that the princes and princesses are of different ages. Don't let it be made to fit. That would be embarrassing."

Li Hao agreed and said, "Brother Qin is right. We'll carefully check everyone's measurements before we start cutting. We can't make mistakes like this. By the way, Brother Cheng, do you think we should add some unique small decorations to these cotton-padded jackets and trousers? They don't have to be as gorgeous as those made for the emperor and empress, but they should still show some thoughtfulness, right?"

Cheng Chu thought for a moment and said, "Well, that's a good idea. For example, we can embroider some simple amulet patterns on the cuffs or the inside of the clothes. It has a good meaning and can be regarded as our thoughtful gesture. What do you think?"

Qin Huaidao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "Hey, this is a good idea. It's both low-key and thoughtful. Let's do it this way. I'll talk to Madam and Miss Yuyu later and ask them to help embroider it. This cotton-padded jacket and trousers will be even more meaningful."