Blog post #1

Silk: A Luxurious Fiber

        Since silk is a very popular fiber today, it is amazing that silk as a textile dates back to almost 6000 B.C.  Once people realized that the silkworms could be harvested into a textile, China kept a monopoly on silk trade for thousands of years.  Eventually, this created a popular trade system, the Silk Road, which extended as far as Europe and Africa.  Silk is a natural protein fiber that “has been prized for centuries because of its elegant sheen, rich luster, and vibrant colors when dyed,” (Yates 2002 p. 43).  While there are many variants of silk, producing a “yarn” of silk is a tedious process, so lets take a look into the complexities of silk.

            Each silk cocoon produces a mere 1,000 yards of fiber, which only produces a few ounces of silk.  In fact, “even the industrial revolution could not mechanize silk production,” (Yates 2002 p. 43) and it still remains an extremely labor-intensive process.  Wild moths each oak leaves that then produce the wild silk, which is typically harvested after the moth breaks out of its cocoon.  Once it is broken the fiber is spun into yarn called tussah.

Reeled silk has a different process, it stems from silkworms that diet on mulberry leaves, causing their cocoons to be white in color.  During this process “the filament fiber…is reeled as a continuous strand before the moth matures and evacuates,” (Yates 202 p. 43).  If a heavier filament yarn is desired, multiple strands are rolled together thus creating a tram. 

Doupioni silk is a double strand of fiber that is produced when “twin” worms join into one cocoon.  “The irregularities of the two strands match up to create larger-than-usual slubs, (Yates 2002 p. 44) meaning the fiber changes from thicker to thinner over the length.  Doupioni is often a shimmering silk and often resists wrinkles. 

While silk is a beautiful fiber on its own, it also blends well with synthetic fibers.  Long-staple rayon can be mixed with silk to produce a lower-cost fabric, in addition to maintaining the luster and color of silk.  Filament polyester can also become a staple for “showing off the silk in blends,” (Yates 2002 p. 44). 

Despite the time-consuming production process, silk is a luxurious fiber that also is resistant to abrasion.  In addition to upholstery fabric, silk is often used in apparel manufacturing, parachutes, rugs, and even prosthetic arteries.  The feel of silk is smooth and lavish, giving it the current reputation for being the essence of high fashion.