Over the years, most people have fancied silk fabric so much because it is a luxurious piece of material. However, only a few know about the origin and history of this fabric. In this post, you will discover all the information you need to know about silk fabric and its history.
Origin of Silk
Silk fabric was first developed in Ancient China. However, the earliest surviving silk samples can be found in the very presence of the silk protein fibroin in the soil samples from two tombs at the Neolithic site in Jiahu in Henan, dating back to 85000.
During the time of Odyssey, 19.233, Odysseus, trying to conceal his identity, his wife Penelope was asked about her husband’s clothing; she mentioned that she wore a shirt that gleams like the skin of a dried onion refers to the lustrous quality of silk fabric.
The Roman Empire valued silk so much. So they traded in the most highly-priced silk, which is Chinese silk.
Where Does Silk Yarn Come From?
Silk is a pure protein fiber; the major components of the protein fiber of silk are fibroin. The larvae of some certain insects produce fibroin to form cocoons. For example, the best rich silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm that is reared by the method of sericulture (rearing by captivity).
Do you know that the shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism structure of silk fiber? The triangular structure allows the refraction of incoming light at different degrees, leading to other colors.
Different insects form silk; the moth of caterpillars has been the only one used for textile manufacturing. The larvae of an insect experiencing metamorphosis lead to the production of silk.
Most insect-like web spinners and raspy crickets can produce silk throughout their lives. Bees, wasps, beetles, lacewings, fleas, flies, and midges also produce silk. Also, arthropods like spiders and arachnids produce silk.
Chinese were the first people to produce silk during the stone age before it circulated to other world places like Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Europe.
The Original Material About The Silk Fabric
The scale of production of silk is smaller than for cultivated silk. Cocoons brought from the wild already had the pupa before being discovered, resulting in the silk thread that built up the cocoon being torn into shorter lengths.
The rearing of silkworm pupae led to the commercial production of silk. They are usually bred to produce a white-colored silk thread, which lacks minerals on the surface. Elimination of the pupae happens by putting them in boiling water before the adult moths come up. Or by simply piercing them with a needle. These actions triggered the whole cocoon to be unraveled as a continuous thread, allowing a stronger cloth woven from the silk. Finally, the cocoon of the wild silk is removed by the process of demineralizing.
The Applications Of Silk Fabric
There are so many things you make with silk fabric, they include…..
- Silk pajamas: China silk is quite a luxurious, lightweight, soft, and smooth type of silk. Because of these features, its application will be suitable for pajamas.
- Silk scarf: Silk chiffon fabric is sheer, flowy, flounces, drapes, ruffles, and doesn’t keep its shape. These qualities of silk chiffon make it very easy to be used for scarves; Silk chiffon comes in cool colors and designs. It can be floral, polka dots, leaves, etc. Moreover, silk chiffon is quite a soft fabric that is very pleasant for the hair and skin.
- Silk pillowcase: Crepe satin is quite knobbed, has a regular surface, very easy to sew. Easily unravel, not expensive, soft, does not drape well, making easy to be used straight, square cut pattern and pleats. In addition, the crepe satin provides enormous moisture for skin and hair. These features of crepe satin make it good for pillowcases.
- Silk eye mask: Mulberry silk is a fascinating luxurious piece for a silk eye mask. A slippery surface relieves stress, relaxes the muscle, increases blood circulation, makes sure it keeps the skin sound while you sleep. These amazing features of mulberry silk make it a great fabric for an eye mask.
Takeaway
Finally, silk fabric is a luxurious material that first originated from the ancient city of China. At the moment, silk fabric is used in the production of silk pajamas, eye masks, pillowcases, and many more.
