I've been transported to the orc continent.

Chapter 349 Cotton Quilt

Yue said she didn't need Bai Ling's help, but when Yue and the others started dyeing the clothes the next day, Bai Ling still came back earlier.

Before even entering the courtyard, Bai Ling saw that it was full of beastmen.

The weather was cold, but the beastmen seemed oblivious to it, gathered together and chatting excitedly.

Upon seeing Bai Ling return, the beastmen greeted him and made way for him, revealing Yue standing at the doorway.

Hearing the sound, Yue turned around and her gaze met Bai Ling's. His eyes immediately curved into a smile: "Ling, you're back so early."

Bai Ling smiled and stepped forward: "Well, nothing much happened today, so I came back early."

Chen said from the side, "Brother, we've dyed all the cotton fabric. Once it's dry, we'll find the best color and then we can dye the cotton fabric."

Upon seeing Bai Ling return, the beastmen in the courtyard did not linger. The cotton cloth had already been dyed, and there was nothing else to do. They needed to return to the cave, so they did not stay there any longer.

After the orcs from the central tribe left, Bai Ling pulled Yue into the house. The tables and chairs in the living room had been put away, and several new wooden racks had been placed there. Bamboo poles were placed on the racks, and many small pieces of cotton cloth were hanging on the bamboo poles.

The cotton cloths were all different colors, and they were all wet and draped on thin bamboo poles. Some of the cloths had just been dyed and were still dripping water.

Bai Ling's eyes widened as she carefully examined all the dyed fabrics. Then, she gave Yue a thumbs-up and said, "Yue, you guys are amazing!"

Yue smiled smugly and didn't say anything. Chen said proudly from the side, "We are really awesome."

The other tribesmen also stood at the doorway, talking about the dyed cotton cloth. They had all seen more beautiful silk, but they still liked the cotton cloth very much because it was more durable and sturdy than silk.

Wearing silk clothes makes it impossible to work, but wearing cotton clothes eliminates this concern. Silk is worn for emergencies, while cotton is worn daily. Both fabrics have their uses and are very important to orcs.

Bai Ling joined the discussion among the tribesmen, saying, "Once the cotton cloth is dyed, let's make a few cotton quilts."

The Sky Orcs brought him a lot of cotton. Half of the cotton fibers were spun into cotton thread and the other half was left over. After the cotton cloth was dyed, the other half of the cotton fibers was used to make cotton quilts.

Now they use animal hides for blankets, which are warm enough, but they are definitely not as comfortable as cotton blankets. Cotton blankets don't have any odor and don't shed, so they have many advantages over animal hides.

The tribespeople were delighted to hear that they could make cotton quilts. They didn't ask whether the quilts were comfortable or not; just by the feel of the cotton fabric and the warm touch of the cotton wadding, they knew that the quilts must be very comfortable and warm.

*

After discussion, the beastmen decided to dye the cotton cloth blue.

Firstly, the plant roots and stems used to dye blue fabric are the most abundant, and secondly, the color is very beautiful. After discussing it, Yue and Bai Ling decided to dye half of the cotton fabric in their house blue.

For so many days, the looms never stopped during the day. The orcs in the tribe took turns sitting in front of the looms to weave cloth. According to the agreement, half of the cloth woven would go to Bai Ling, and the other half would go to the orc who wove it.

Knowing that Yue and the others planned to dye cloth, the orc in charge of weaving brought all the woven cotton cloth. Yue kept only what she was entitled to and sent the rest back.

Even half a piece of cotton cloth is quite a lot. The weather is cold now, so the dyed cotton cloth can only be dried indoors. In order to make the cotton cloth dry faster, Yue lit a few charcoal braziers indoors.

After the cotton cloth was dyed, Bai Ling specially asked for half a day off from the carpentry group to teach the tribesmen how to make cotton quilts.

Making a cotton quilt is very simple. The Bai Ling people have all seen silk and made clothes from it. Making a cotton quilt is even simpler than making clothes. Just place the cut quilt lining on the kang (a heated brick bed), spread cotton batting on top, and then place the quilt cover on top of the batting.

The quilt lining is made of undyed cotton fabric, while the quilt cover is made of dyed cotton fabric. The quilt lining is about a hand's width larger than the quilt cover so that it can be folded over and sewn together with the quilt cover.

Next comes sewing the quilt, a very simple step for orcs who are used to needlework.

Bai Ling first demonstrated to the tribespeople: "The cotton quilt needs to be sewn with several rows of thread so that the cotton wadding won't move around inside. The stitches don't need to be as close as when making clothes; a little sparse is fine. When you're sewing, you should use one hand to support the bottom of the quilt, and be careful when you put the needle down, so you don't sew the quilt to the animal hide underneath."

Bai Ling had done something similar before. When he first started putting on his own duvet cover, the zipper on the duvet cover was broken, so he sewed it up with a needle and thread. Unexpectedly, he sewed it too fast and didn't notice that he had sewed the duvet and the mattress underneath together.

The quilt wasn't difficult to make. Bai Ling first demonstrated how to make a quilt, which he sewed entirely himself, without any help from the other beastmen.

After the quilt was sewn, Bai Ling sewed a mark on the inside and outside of the quilt. These quilts were all made with the same inside and outside, so it would be easy to make a mistake if a mark wasn't sewn on.

“Yue, this bed is for you,” Bai Ling said with a smile. “I’ll make one for myself later.”

Bai Ling said this in front of many people, and although Yue knew there was nothing wrong with what he said, his face still turned a little red.

"Mmm," Yue responded softly, then said in a low voice, "Then I'll make your quilt for you."

Bai Ling shook her head and said, "No need, I can do this."

Bai Ling looked at Yue, his eyes clearly conveying one meaning: You're not good at this kind of thing, so let me do it.

Yue understood Bai Ling's meaning. He didn't refute it, but his eyes curved slightly as he nodded gently to Bai Ling.

*

The other beastmen in the room laughed. Chen gently tugged at Xiao's sleeve and whispered, "Xiao, can you make me a quilt?"

Xiao didn't speak, so Chen said again, "Xiao, please help me. I'm not good at this kind of work. I'll catch a wild boar for you after spring, okay?"

Xiao loves pork, and Chen remembers that very well.

Xiao is not good at hunting, but he is good at it. He is not good at this kind of thing, but Xiao is very good at it. The two of them complement each other perfectly.

Xiao nodded: "Alright then, but I want to eat braised pork. You can learn how to make it with Ling."

Chen immediately beamed: "Leave this to me. Not only braised pork, but after we get back to our tribe, I'll also learn my brother's bread and pastry making skills and make them all for you."