Silk Fill
Posted in Bed Comforter Sets on 02/13/2008 05:15 am by admin
Fabrics Used to Make Material in Today’s Textile Industry – Silk
Choosing the fabric your clothing is made with is important. This choice can make the difference in the look, comfort, durability, or practicality of the purpose of the particular article of clothing. The choice of fabrics is never more important that the clothes you wear every day at work. Your work uniform must be comfortable yet durable. It must be stylish yet practical. The average person will spend more time wearing their uniform than any other article of clothing with maybe the exception of sleep clothing. The fabric your uniform is made from is important and with today’s fabrics you have a wider choice than ever.
Every fabric used to manufacture clothing today has its own characteristics and uses. When choosing clothing as important as your uniform, it is important that you understand the characteristics of the different fabrics. This is the first in a series of articles where we will explore the different fabrics and manufacturing process of common fabrics.
We will discuss fabrics such as cotton, wool, nylon, polyester and many other natural and synthetic fabric materials. Information will be presented about the history, manufacturing methods, characteristics, and uses of the different fabrics. Information concerning the cares of fabrics will also be presented.
This is the second in my series of fabric characteristics (the first was about cotton) and again we will go way back to the beginning of another natural fabric, silk. Silk dates back as far as cotton as a material in which clothing and material were made from. Silk was a material that separated the common man from the elite population of early times. Evan today, silk material is commonly found used by the upper class of society.
History:
The exact history of silk is somewhat of a mystery. Historians say that silk production, called Sericulture, originated in China 10,000 years ago. However ancient Chinese legends contribute the origination of Sericulture to the Chinese empress Si Ling Chi who ruled in 2,600 BC.
The story goes that one day Empress Si Ling Chi was sitting under a Mulberry tree in her palace garden drinking some tea. A cocoon from a silkworm fell into her cup of hot tea. She watched as the silk fibers of the cocoon began to unravel in the hot liquid. She became recognized as the goddess of silk worms.
The production of silk slowly developed into manufacturing process in China by the 14th century. Silk production became a cornerstone of the Chinese economy where the silk was used for musical instruments, fishing lines and bowstrings. Silk was also used to pay the civil servants in China as a reward from the rulers. The Chinese also used ilk in foreign trade exchanging it for spices and jewels brought from India.
The Chinese kept the secret of silk production to themselves for more than two thousand years. It was so guarded that a penalty of death was placed on anyone found guilty of smuggling silkworm eggs, cocoons, or mulberry seeds out of the country. But buy the year of 200 BC the secret of silk had spread to Korea and then slowly throughout the rest of Asia and India.
It wasn’t until the 13th century that silk production reached Italy when Persia sent 2000 skilled silk weavers. Thos led to the production of silk throughout Europe. Even though silk production has spread worldwide, China is still the largest producer of the world’s silk today.
Manufacturing process:
The manufacturing process of silk begins with the silkworm its natural ability to produce silk fiber and spin their cocoon with it. There are basically two types of silkworms. One is the silkworm that feeds on oak leaves and produce Tusha silk. The other, mulberry silk moth, produces the highest quality silk called Bombyx mori. This silkworm feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree. The silkworms spin a cocoon that contains an average of 300-400 meters of silk fiber. It takes up to 5500 silkworms to produce 2lbs of raw silk fibers.
The production of the silkworm’s cocoon to make silk filament is called sericulture. Sericulture is done under controlled conditions and environments on silk farms. The silk worms are raised from eggs and allowed to go through its entire life cycle. The optimal time for harvesting silk is at the cocoon stage.
The cocoons are harvested and sent to the factory called a filature. Here the cocoons are unwound into silk strands and collected on skeins. The operation consists of four separate operations:
· Sorting of Cocoons; Cocoons are sorted according to color, size, shape and texture.
· Softening; the sorted cocoons are immersed in a series of hot and cold solutions to soften the fibers to permit unwinding.
· Reeling the filament; consist of unwinding the cocoons and twisting the strands together to make a silk thread.
· Bailing; The silk thread is wrapped onto skeins and packed into small bundles called books. The books are put into bales and shipped to the silk mills where it is woven into material.
Characteristics:
Silk is a protein fiber which gives silk material its characteristics. Silk has a high tensile strength but won’t stand up to heavy use or abrasions. Silk will become brittle when exposed to sunlight, high alkalinity, acid, or oily soils will breakdown silk fibers. The appearance of silk depends on the size of the silk yarn used to make the fabric. Large yarn may make the material appear more like cotton or a synthetic. Small well refined yarn will give the silk material the silky feel and look we expect.
Uses:
Silk is still today the primary material used to make our finest outerwear. Luxury clothing including fine silk suits and evening gowns are made of the finest silk material.
Other uses of silk material include:
· Women’s and men’s lingerie because of silk’s softness and brilliant colours.
· Silk laces and tulles: Ideal for bridal gowns and veils
· Hosiery
· Scarves
· Ties
· Decorative articles such as bows and ribbons
· Furnishing and upholstery
· Insulation
Care:
For the most part silk garments should be dry cleaned to prevent damage of a breakdown of the fibers. Certain silks may be hand washed and line dried or tumble dried with low heat. Silk garments are also known as the wash and wear material because it is resistant to wrinkling.
Silk material is prone to moth attacks especially when in storage. Silk garments should be stored appropriately. They may be wrapped in a cotton fabric or other breathable fabric. Silk should not be stored in plastic or other sealed containers that can trap moister. This may lead to mildew and yellowing.
Chlorine bleach should never be used. This will cause the fabric to yellow and break down.
I sincerely hoped you enjoyed this article. Please look forward to my next article where we will discuss a synthetic fiber – polyester.
Jeffrey Ware
www.thelaserveincenter.com
About the Author
I am a retired surgical assistant after 32 years in the operation room. Recently began a business, JBW Enterprise, where I build and optimize web sites. I currently have two websites up, www.MedicalScrubsRus.com and www.TheLaserVeinCenter.com Writing has always been a passion of mine. I have contributed to several surgical textbooks in the past. With my websites I can combine my knowledge of healthcare, my passion for writing, and my desire to help my fellow people. I am loving it.
|
|
Comforter Duvet King 100% Silk Fill Silk Cover 4 Season $409.50 |
|
|
Comforter Duvet King 100% Silk Fill Silk Cover 4 Season $369.50 |
|
|
SILX Pillow – Silk-Filled Hypoallergenic Double-Fill Pillow $334.99 |
|
|
Comforter Duvet King 100% Silk Fill Silk Cover 4 Season $329.50 |
|
|
SUPERIOR 900TC Silk Goose Down King Comforter 750 Fill $309.99 |
|
|
SUPERIOR 900TC Silk Goose Down Queen Comforter 750 Fill $299.99 |
|
|
King and Twin Silk 750TC 850 Loft Canadian Comforter $288.49 |
|
|
Comforter Duvet King 100% Silk Fill Silk Cover 4 Season $284.50 |
|
|
SILX Pillow – Silk-Filled Hypoallergenic Double-Fill Pillow $269.99 |
|
|
Queen Size 100% Silk Comforter-88X90”-Winter fill $261.99 |
|
|
King Size 100% Silk Comforter-102X90”-Summer fill $261.99 |
|
|
King Size 100% Silk Comforter-88X90”-Summer fill $257.49 |
|
|
King and Twin Silk 750TC 850 Loft Canadian Comforter $263.99 |
|
|
Luxury SILK blend Goose Down QUEEN Comforter 900 thread count 750 Fill Power $258.58 |
|
|
Double/ Full Size 100% Silk Comforter-78X88”-Winter fill $239.99 |
|
|
Natural Luxury 100 Percent Mulberry Silk filled Comforter Naturally Heavy Fill $199.99 |
|
|
Twin Size 100% Silk Comforter 64X88”-Winter fill $206.49 |
|
|
Queen Size 100% Silk Comforter-88X90”-Summber fill $205.99 |
|
|
Double/ Full Size 100% Silk Comforter-78X88”-Summer fill $202.99 |
|
|
Natural Luxury 100 Percent Mulberry Silk filled Comforter Naturally Heavy Fill $189.99 |
|
|
Natural Luxury 100 Percent Mulberry Silk filled Comforter Naturally Heavy Fill $179.99 |
|
|
Twin Size 100% Silk Comforter 64X88”-Summer fill $169.99 |
|
|
Natural Luxury 100 Percent Mulberry Silk filled Comforter Naturally Heavy Fill $159.99 |
|
|
Natural Luxury 100 Percent Mulberry Silk filled Comforter Naturally Medium Fill $137.99 |
|
|
7 pcs Baby Girl Crib Bedding Set w/ Silk Fill Comforter $139.00 |
|
|
Natural Comfort Ultra Deluxe 100%Natural Mulberry Silk Fill Dobby Comforter Twin $119.00 |
|
|
SILX Pillow – Silk-Filled Hypoallergenic Double-Fill Pillow $104.99 |
|
|
NEW Coldwater Creek spring green jacket silk shell & poly fill machine wash sz M $37.99 |
|
|
Jacket Top, Anne Carson, Quilted 100%-Silk Polyester-Fill Green-Floral, M $27.95 |
|
|
Innovation Sport Quilted Red SILK Jacket w/ fill lining Ladies Size S ( 8 / 10) $19.99 |
|
|
1×200TC Down Polyester Gel Fill fiber Silk Pillow King $22.99 |
|
|
1×200TC Down Polyester Gel Fill fiber Silk Pillow King $9.84 |
|
|
1×200TC Down Polyester Gel Fill fiber Silk Pillow King $9.84 |
|
|
1×200TC Down Polyester Gel Fill fiber Silk Pillow King $9.84 |
|
|
Unique Antique Victorian Prayer Book Page Marks Silk & Gold Fill Amulet Charms $9.99 |
|
|
Garnet Silk-Fill Us Up With Your Mercy 7″ Made In Jamacia $4.69 |
|
|
True Blood Get Your Fill Cool Hot New Silk Poster 24″ $4.95 |
|
|
SCALAMANDRE ROLLED ARM SILK OVERSIZED WALNUT LIBRARY CHAIR NAILHEAD PA DOWN FILL $1,650.00 |
|
|
Ralph Lauren Down Fill Pillow NEW Cream Silk Shell $74.99 |
|
|
Ferm Living – Barcode Pillow $109.99 Decorate your couch and dress up your living room with these fabulous pillows. Our couch fashion is made of high quality linen/cotton and filled with down making the pillow nice and soft…. |
|
|
Raw Silk $12.00 Like the fabric, Raw Silk is a natural and dimpled first effort introducing jazz vocalist, Patricia Adams, accompanied by Frank Wilkins on piano. Fifteen jazz standards and blues tunes fill this CD. Duke Ellingtons familiar Prelude To A Kiss and I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart contrast his Day Dream. Rube Blooms, Can t Face The Music Without Singin The Blues, and Curtis Lewis All Night Long balanc… |
|
|
Studio: Eric Cohler You Fill It Table Lamp in Antique Nickel with Silk Shade by Visual Comfort SC3012AN-S … |
|
|
Studio: Eric Cohler You Fill It Table Lamp in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass with Silk Shade by Visual Comfort SC3012HAB-S … |
|
|
Biosilk Silk Therapy 5.64oz $11.99 BioSilk Silk Therapy is an ideal lightweight replenishing and reconstructing treatment to protect and maintain hair and skin in optimum conditions. Silk Therapy bonds and strengthens the hair inside and outside, fills any voids on cuticle layer, repairs s… |
|
|
Biosilk Silk Therapy Serum, 2.26-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2) $10.99 BioSilk Silk Therapy is an ideal lightweight replenishing and reconstructing treatment to protect and maintain hair and skin in optimum conditions. Silk Therapy bonds and strengthens the hair inside and outside, fills any voids on cuticle layer, repairs s… |
|
|
Giovanni Nutraflix Hair Reconstructor , Packaging May Vary, 6.8 Ounce tube (Pack of 3) $14.84 Enriched with certified organic botanicals. No animal by-products. Cruelty-free. Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor: Re-energizes tired, damaged hair. Encourages thickness and volume. Fills in porous hair with rich proteins. You’ve colored you hair for years. In the summer you bleach it. And let’s not forget about the perms, chemical relaxers and blow dryers, curling irons and straightening irons. Your h… |
|
|
‘Kiosk in a Box’ DTG Printer Package Deal – T-Shirt Textile Apparel Inkjet Print $6,500.00 Garmenta 5.0 DTG Printer. Introducing the uPRiNX Garmenta 5.0 direct to garment digital ink-jet printer. The perfect balance between efficiency and cost, this printer is the workhorse of small garment printing shops and kiosks all around the world. This is the ideal garment printer for small shops and kiosks, fast, economical, and easy to use. Print from your home based business and sell online w… |
|
|
Yellow Checkered Woven Silk Neckie Gift Box Set Yellow Mens Presents T8214 $10.99 Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, FashionOn is a multichannel online retailer and wholesaler with huge range that has a strong focus on fashionable men’s and women’s accessories, including ties, bow ties, cufflinks, vest sets, hankies, suspenders, cummerbunds, money clips, necklaces and bracelets. FashionOn has a philosophy of continuous service improvement, which is supported by a consistent p… |
|
|
Purple Stripes Woven Silk Neckie Gift Box Set blue violet Christmas Day Present T8198 $10.99 Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, FashionOn is a multichannel online retailer and wholesaler with huge range that has a strong focus on fashionable men’s and women’s accessories, including ties, bow ties, cufflinks, vest sets, hankies, suspenders, cummerbunds, money clips, necklaces and bracelets. FashionOn has a philosophy of continuous service improvement, which is supported by a consistent p… |