About Silk
The Silk History
An ancient Chinese legend tells that the world owes the existence of silk to the wife of the Yellow Emperor.
Once, fourteen-year-old Si Ling Shi was drinking tea in the luxurious palace garden under the canopy of mulberry trees
when a silkworm cocoon fell into her cup. It started unfolding into a delicate silk thread in the hot tea.
This discovery led to the introduction of silk into the world and transformed the young Empress into the “Mistress of the Silkworm.”
For thousands of years, the technology of its production was the strictest secret, punishable by death if revealed.
Advantages of Silk
Silk is a unique natural material, consisting of 97% proteins, 3% fats and waxes. This material contains 18 amino acids typical of human skin.
Silk preserves beauty and health without causing allergies, as it does not attract dust or promote the proliferation of mites or bacteria. Additionally, it contains the protein fibroin, which retains moisture, promoting skin health and rejuvenation.
Silk provides comfort by adapting to the surrounding temperature and maintaining an ideal microclimate, balancing heat and moisture without accumulating static electricity.
The Process of Creating Silk
Silk is obtained from the larvae of the mulberry silkworm (bombyx mori).
These silkworms are bred and fed exclusively on mulberry leaves.
After several weeks of feeding, the larvae start spinning cocoons from thin silk threads secreted from special glands. This process takes about 2-3 days.
Once the cocoons are fully formed, they are harvested.
It is crucial to do this on time to prevent the moths from emerging and damaging the cocoons.
The cocoons are placed in hot water or subjected to steam to soften the sericin, the gummy substance that holds the threads together, and to kill the larvae inside.
Each cocoon can yield a continuous silk thread ranging from 300 to 900 meters in length. These threads are carefully unwound by hand or with the help of machines, combining them to create strong and smooth silk yarn.
The silk threads are twisted and combined to achieve the desired thickness and strength.
This process requires high skill and precision to avoid damaging the delicate threads.
The finished silk yarn is dyed in desired colors, often using natural dyes.
It is then subjected to additional treatments to enhance its texture and shine.
The dyed silk threads are woven into fabric on looms.
Weaving can be done by hand or machine, depending on the desired quality and complexity of the pattern.
The finished fabric is thoroughly inspected for defects, such as irregularities or damage. This crucial step ensures the high quality of the final product.
This complex and labor-intensive process makes silk a unique and valuable material, highly prized for its qualities and durability.
