Chinese Silk - History, Production and Products of Silk
Do you like Chinese silk? This wonderful natural material was the No. 1 commodity exported by the royal family for centuries, and silk remains a hot commodity wherever it goes.
Shiny, lustrous, soft and strong, it can be dyed beautifully and vividly. The history of silk in China dates back more than 2,000 years, here's how it was made and where to buy the modern product.
China is the world's largest silk producer
China produces about 150,000 metric tons per year. That's far more than the rest of the world produces 78% of the world's silk combined. Only India has a relatively large industry with an output of around 30,000 metric tons.
Top modern silk producing areas
Silk is mainly produced in the south of the Yangtze River Delta. The famous silk producing areas are Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces. Cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shaoxing are famous for their silk industry.
history of silk
Chinese Clothing in the Age of Emperors
The people who lived in this area were the inventors of silk fabrics, a process that no other culture independently discovered. The history of silk making dates back 6,000 years, with the earliest silk fabrics found dating back to 3630 BC in Henan. Silk manufacturing was well developed during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC).
The Silk Legend of Confucius
According to Confucius himself, around 2700 BC...
When Huangdi's wife was drinking tea under a mulberry tree, a cocoon fell into her teacup. As she watched, a fiber was drawn from the cocoon, and she realized that this strong silk could be used to make cloth. And thus, an industry was born. She taught her people how to raise silkworms and later invented the loom.
silk secret
The Silk Road is guarded by the Great Wall
Silk is thought to have begun along the Silk Roads around 400 BC, and although silk was highly valued thereafter, various kingdoms and dynasties kept silk production methods a secret for another millennium.
It may be one of the best-guarded secrets in history. Anyone found smuggling silkworm eggs, cocoons, and mulberry seeds will be executed.
Silk clothing is worn by emperors and royal families and is a status symbol. Ordinary people were forbidden to wear silk. Silk was also used in many other applications, including luxurious writing materials.
Spread of sericulture
Silk cultivation spread to Japan around 300 AD, and by 520 Europeans and Arabs were making silk.
More recently, the invention of efficient technologies for producing cotton cloth and the invention of synthetic polymers such as nylon and polyester have greatly reduced the need for silk. It's a luxury now, and it's not as important as it used to be.
silk production
silkworm caterpillar. Watching silkworms eat, live and cocoon is one of the favorite things for tourists to do while visiting a silk factory.
Silk is a finely woven product made from the protein fibers of silkworm cocoons. Silk production is a lengthy process that requires close monitoring.
silk moth life cycle
Silk moths lay about 500 eggs over a four to six day life cycle. After the eggs hatch, the caterpillars feed on mulberry leaves in a controlled environment. They gain a lot of weight.
After storing enough energy, silkworms (silkworms) surround themselves with fibers of a white jelly-like substance. Their cocoons resemble furry balls of white, yellow, pink, and brown. They are beautiful.
silk cocoon
Eight or nine days later, the silkworms (actually caterpillars turned into moths) were killed. The cocoons are placed in hot water to loosen the tight protective filaments, which are then unwound, wound onto spools, and spun into thread.
Cocoon filaments may be 600 to 900 meters long! Several filaments are twisted together to make a thread. Silk thread is woven into cloth or used in elaborate embroidery.
properties of silk
a silk factory
High-quality silk is soft and shiny, with clear and even color. Silk's shimmering appearance is due to the triangular prism-like structure of silk fibers.
It refracts incoming light at different angles, resulting in different colors.
Silk is strong, but not elastic. If it is stretched, it will not return to the same length. It also absorbs moisture. One problem with silk is that some insects find it tasty.
care and maintenance
Silk will fade if exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Silk fabrics are not suitable for curtains and draperies.
clean
Some silk garments can be hand washed. Separate dark from light colors. Those with sweat stains should be washed with cold water as soon as possible. Insects are attracted to sweat and food stains.
For best results, use a mild cleanser and warm water, rinse thoroughly, then roll up in a towel to soak up. If you need to iron, turn the garment over and use the low setting.
Delicate silks should be dry cleaned. The same goes for multicolored prints or hand-dyed scarves to keep the color from bleeding.
storage
Moths can attack silk. When storing, place items in cloth bags, such as cotton pillowcases or wrap them in breathable fabric. Avoid exposing them to strong light or direct sunlight.
Avoid storing them in plastic, as this may absorb moisture and cause yellowing or mold.
Silk is mainly used in clothing. The rough silk material is also used as filling in luxury pillows and quilts. It is sometimes used for wall hangings.
In the past, silk was used for a variety of purposes, such as women's stockings and even cannonballs for explosives. Sometimes used in surgical thread.
Qipaos
Qipao (qipao /chee-paoww/) is a unique souvenir or silk item that you may wish to purchase. If you want a unique Chinese souvenir or gift for yourself or your female friends or relatives, Qipao may be an option.
It became popular in Shanghai before World War II, and some women wore the elegant cheongsam as evening or party attire. Chinoiserie dresses with high necklines, sheaths, straight skirts, high slits on one or both sides.
buy silk
The best places to buy high quality silk are Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.
silk tour
Factory Tour: You can visit a silk factory with us. After touring the facility and seeing how silk is made, if you wish we will take you to a showroom where we can help you purchase garments, quilts, brocades, scarves or other silk products directly from the manufacturer.
