SilkBy: Amy Curtis & Sarah Bennett

Production/Manufacturing/Processing Techniques• Sericulture

▫ Cultivation of cocoons for the filaments

▫ Best raw silk obtained from Bombyx Mori (moth)

▫ Silkworms hatched up to 3 times a year

▫ 350 to 400 eggs in lifetime▫ Subject to hereditary

infection, eggs destroyed which results in fine silk production

▫ Begin to shape into cocoons▫ Substance solidifies and

filament formed

• Filature Operations▫ Raw silk unwound from

cocoons and collected into skeins in Filature Factories

▫ Cocoons sorted based on color, size, shape, and texture

▫ Hot and cold water so filament can be unwound

▫ “Reeling” is unwinding filament from the cocoon

Production/Manufacturing/Processing Techniques

• Manufacturing▫ Reeled silk formed into

silk yarn. “Throwing”▫ Strands twisted and put

through rollers▫ “Degumming”

Yarn washed with soap to bring out natural shine

• Finishing▫ Calendering and Cireing

Enhance luster▫ Singeing

Smooth▫ Steaming

Raising pile weaves▫ Pressing and Lustering

Removes wrinkles▫ Weighting

Weight lost during demugging

Dyeing process Crispness

Characteristics • It is versatile and very comfortable.• It absorbs moisture.• It is cool to wear in the summer yet warm to

wear in winter.• It can be easily dyed.• It retains its shape and is relatively smooth.• It has a poor resistance to sunlight exposure.• It is the strongest natural fiber and is lustrous

Uses for the end fabrics

• blouses • dresses• scarves• pants • ties• curtains • draperies• cushion covers • sofa covers

Advantages• Natural Protein Structure

▫ Hypoallergenic fabric• All-climate fabric

▫ Warm and cozy in winter▫ Cool in hot weather▫ Natural temperature

regulating properties▫ Outperforms other

fabrics in summer and winter

• Not bulky• Highly absorbent

▫ Can absorb 30% its weight in moisture

▫ Will let skin breathe• Mixes well with animal

and vegetable fibers

• Smooth surface resists soil and odors

• Wrinkle and tear resistant• Dries quickly• Strongest natural fiber• Strong like steel yarn in

strength• Takes color well• Washes easily• Good for

▫ Spinning▫ Weaving▫ Knitting▫ Sewing

Disadvantages

•Expensive •Leaves water spots •Yellows with age •Needs special care•Dry cleaning

Fiber Drape Abilities

•Good Drape Properties▫Silk flexible enough▫Drapes well▫Tailors well▫Thin

Fiber Care• Dry Cleaned: make sure you tell them that it is

made of silk • Hand wash:

1) Make sure you wash in cool water.2) Use a small amount of soap or mild detergent to wash the silk.3) After washing it, rinse in cold water.4) Hang it or lay it flat in a shaded area to dry.5) If pressing is needed, use an all cotton iron board cover, a low or moderate steam setting, and press on the wrong side of the fabric while ironing.

Quiz • Silk is good for all

EXCEPT…▫ A. Spinning▫ B. Layering▫ C. Sewing▫ D. Weaving

• ___ and ____ use silk covers.

• Silk can’t be dyed easily.▫ True or False?

• Silk is versatile and absorbent.▫ True of False?

• What is Degumming?• What are 3/5 steps for

hand caring for silk?

References"sb117", Initials. (2010, July 11). Silk fiber | characteristics & uses of silk

fibre & fabric in textile. Retrieved from http://articles.textileclass.com/silk-fiber-characteristics-uses-of-silk-fibre-fabric-in-textile/

Silk manufacturing process. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teonline.com/knowledge-centre/silk-manufacturin-process.html

Silk. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fabrics.net/silk.asp

Cherry, R. (2010). History of sericulture. Retrieved from

http://www.insects.org/ced1/history-of-sericulture.html