Silk has always been important to the history of textile industry. Even up until today, it’s still considered as one of the most valuable and luxurious fabrics. However, despite the immense advancement of our technology, the production method of silk is still very much about intensive labour process which involves a lot of hard work.
There are actually a lot of insects nowadays that has been used in order to produce silk but the most common one even thousands of years back then is the larvae of “Bombyx mori” or the caterpillar of the silkmoth. The most special thing about silk other than having a shimmering effect and feathery weight is its impressively strong characteristic which one of its structures can be stronger than that of a filament steel. That is why many textile companies use silk to produce clothing products like silk pajama set, blankets, shirts, underwears, etc. because of its high demand since customers really prefer the benefits they can get from silk fabrics.
How is Silk Produced?
- The very first way to produce a raw silk is by gathering the silkworms and harvesting the cocoon in order to collect the materials needed. Silkworms are cultivated usually in mulberry leaves because it is where it feeds to grow itself into a full potential for about 6 weeks. One silkworm produces just a single strand of silk that measures about 100 metres long.
- Next process is to extract the silk threads. You will know the right time once the silkworms have enclosed themselves inside their cocoon. This step is very crucial since cocoons will be placed into a boiling water to soften and dissolve the sericin or silk gum that needs an extra effort in order to not damage the continuity of each thread.
- After the threads have been washed and degummed, the next process will be bleaching and drying before starting its dyeing process. Traditional techniques only dyes the silk thru the use of natural resources from its environment like indigo plants but since technology has improved a lot today, commercial manufacturers have used various acid and reactive dyes that give them wider range of color choices and shades.
- The fourth process which is also an integral part of the whole production is spinning. It unwinds the dyed fibers into a bobbin to prepare itself for the weaving process. It can be done either thru hand-spinning, ring-spinning, or mule spinning.
- Weaving is the process wherein the final piece of silk comes together. It involves interlacing two sets of thread to create a strong uniform piece of fabric.
- Digital printing or screen printing could be done if the silk needs a special design. Digital printing uses a specially designed printer while screen printing is the traditional way which hands-on method makes a bolder and more vibrant look.
The last process involves finishing a piece of silk by giving that shimmering effect that is loved by its users. It can be done by applying various chemical treatments.