I'm sampling horsehair. Due to it's "indestructible" nature, I'd like to make a uber-chic backpack to carry my laptop and fiber projects to work. I read on Kerstin Fröberg's blog that horsehair was originally woven in satin weave for upholstery. At the NYGH Yarn Tasting event on March 27, woven w a tencel warp and horsehair weft in plain weave- the fiber was interesting, but the cloth was not anything special. Now that I am seeing it in the satin weave, it is very unusual. I make luxury evening gowns for a living, so I have heavy experience with silk satin, the parallels between that and the "horsehair satin" are surprising. Both have the slick, shiny surface and wiry "bounce". The warp threads are almost completely concealed. My sample will probably become a case for my reading glasses.
I am working to improve my selvedges and hope to contact Kerstin for some tips.