From cocoons to your clothes: how is silk made?

Everyone knows what silk is, that lovely, shiny, and soft material. Nevertheless, few people know the way silk is made. Well, let’s discover together! Learn in regards to the process that makes it possible so that you can enjoy such elegant garments, from the moment the silkworms leave their cocoons.

The production of this natural fiber is carried out either in an artisanal or industrial way, and at all times requires teamwork between humans and insects. The previous provide their food and the latter are dedicated to producing recent worms and numerous silk. Read on to learn more!

Where does silk come from?

Silk comes from the cocoons left by silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), also often known as the caterpillar of the domestic silk moth. These insects feed exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree.

As described in research articles, it is a multipurpose plant with outstanding nutrients for silkworms. From it, they obtain protein and enough energy to create their cocoons. It’s also used to feed other species resembling cattle.

The silk comes out of very small holes that the worms have of their heads and is the product of their sericogenic glands. When this fiber comes out and comes into contact with the air, it solidifies and creates very positive rings that, at the tip of the day, give shape to the favored silk cocoons. These are composed of fibroin and sericin.

Specifically, the species Bombyx mori L. makes its cocoons by reeling itself around in circles, since it’s after they’re completely enclosed on this cocoon that they start their metamorphosis to grow to be butterflies. To provide you an idea, each cocoon holds between 1000 and 1500 meters (3300 to 5000 feet) of silk, which is collected by artisans who proceed the method from there on.

How silk is made

Now we’ve understood where silk comes from, it’s time to say the way it’s made. Once the worm makes its cocoon, any longer it’s human hands that provide continuity. This activity is often known as silk farming. It includes not only the raising of the worms, but additionally an agricultural forestry stage wherein the mulberry tree is cultivated, and a transformation stage, in reference to the processing of the silk.

This practice has been historically carried out in countries resembling Mexico. Nevertheless, considering that mulberry, the exclusive food of silkworms, grows in tropical and arid zones, silkworms are also cultivated in countries resembling Colombia and others within the American continent.

Breeding and care of silkworms

Breeding of those insects is carried out in closed enclosures to supply higher look after the worms. In suitable areas, so-called plastic forests are placed, structures wherein the worms can attach their cocoons more easily.

Collection and collection of cocoons

Every three days, which is the time each worm takes to make its cocoon, the growers collect the forests. They then sort them into two categories: first-quality cocoons, which have a continuous filament, and second-quality cocoons, which, for various reasons, are broken.

In addition they discover a 3rd category often known as the flock, which is a form of wool that coats the cocoons and is just too soft, so it’s often used to make delicate garments resembling baby clothes.

Reeling and dyeing of silk

The primary cocoons will then undergo one other process often known as reeling, wherein they’re boiled in hot water. This makes it easier to search out the initial filament of every cocoon, which might vary in length – between 600 to 2000 meters (2000 to 6500 feet) – to begin spinning the fiber. Subsequently, the silk goes through a process wherein its color is modified.

Depending on the artisans or manufacturers, natural dyes are used to paint the fibers. This process, depending on the specified shade, can take several days.

Spinning and weaving the silk

Even though it seems like the identical process, it isn’t. The silk is first passed through a spinning wheel to be spun into skeins, that are then used to weave the specified garments or utensils. In step one, the oldest and most traditional way of spinning is with a spinning wheel. After each thread is passed through it, it’s completely flat and able to be woven.

Once it’s woven, it might probably be given different finishes: satin, smooth, or open being essentially the most common. Finally, the entire piece is printed.

Besides clothes, what else is produced from silk?

Silk sheets, silk shirts, and spiritual robes are a few of the most typical garments produced from this natural fiber. Nevertheless, its use goes beyond clothing. Silk is used to make handmade fabrics, carpets, rugs, and even curtains. Actually, it’s a cloth that’s often utilized in special trousseaus for weddings and christenings.

Although silk culture is a practice that doesn’t require much investment and is taken into account economical for individuals who perform it, the clothes and utensils made with silk are of high economic and social value. This isn’t surprising, as converting this raw material from the moment it’s expelled from the worms is a real murals.

Its value is historical, because, in precedent days, there was an unlimited silk market wherein this material was exchanged for food and other invaluable items in early civilizations.

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