Silk

What is Silk

Although the term silk can apply to many things, traditionally it refers to a natural protein fiber produced mainly by silkworm larvae to construct cocoons. The main protein in silk filaments is fibroin, which makes up approximately 80% and forms the structural core. The remaining 20% is sericin, an adhesive protein that binds the fibers together. Silkworm filaments are a continuous elastic fiber which can be spun into threads (a process referred to as thrown) and then woven to create luxurious silk fabrics prized for their softness and lustrous sheen.

The Discovery and Use of Silk

The process of using silk filaments produced by silkworm larvae to create silk threads and then weaving the silk threads into silk fabric was originally discovered in China, with the earliest use of silk fabric dating back to 2640 BC. This is one reason why today we have the term China Silk. For over 4,500 years silk fabric derived from a member of the caterpillar family has been the most valued of all textiles. This has given rise to silk farming, which is referred to as sericulture. 

Quality Silk Threads and Silk Fabric

As the production of silk fabric and sericulture evolved, it was discovered that not all woven silk fabric looked the same due to variations in the silk thread quality. Silk thread quality is dictated by the species of silkworm larvae used to produce silk threads with not all species producing the same consistent quality of silk filaments.

The most desirable silkworm larvae to produce the highest quality silk thread is the domesticated Bombyx Mori silkworm. The Bombyx Mori will only feed on mulberry leaves, which has resulted in Mulberry Silk becoming one of the four main types of silk used in the textile industry. The other three types of silk are referred to as wild silk and are tussar, eri, and muga silk. To make silk threads suitable for weaving into fabric, many silk filaments or bave must be "thrown" or twisted together to produce a silk thread thick enough for the weaving process. The bave is not a round thread but instead has a cross section resembling a triangle.

Once woven, silk fabric consists of thousands of small triangular threads. These small triangular threads reflect light like snow on a sunny day, or a diamond with many facets. This is why pure silk fabric has a look and feel unequaled by anything made with manufactured fibers.