The cool luxurious feel of certain fabrics against your skin is something that cannot be replicated. It is very soft and smooth and simply caresses your skin.

Silk has long been a staple and exotic fabric and a symbol of pure luxury.

For thousands of years only the elite were able to afford this rare commodity. It may have been harvested by simple farmers but it wasn’t worn by them and it had a tremendous impact on the trading world.

As precious as gold and spices were, the demand for silk was even more. This creation of nature is still sought after today. Yes, the availability has increased and more people are able to wear it but pure silk is something that is still a valuable commodity.

This article will let you know about silk’s unique history and how it helped shape the world of fashion today. You may just find out something that you did not know.

When was silk first discovered?

Silks were discovered between 6000 and 3000 BC by the Chinese. The empress Xi Ling-Shi was the first to develop the silks into fabrics. But the rarity of silks meant that only the royalty had access to this precious fabric. Gradually through gifts and trade the silks made their way to various other parts of Asia.

From Asia it was a simple matter of traders taking the silk fabric with them throughout the rest of the known world. For many centuries the Emperors of China hoarded the secret of cultivating the silkmoths in captivity. There is countless recordings or digs in which silks were discovered from around the world.

What types of clothing can be made from silk?

Any type of clothing can be made from silks. The key is not using just one strand though. Spinners have to combine several strands of silk in order to make a tough enough fiber to withstand the weaving process. Fabrics that are made from very thin silks can easily tear or rip apart.

But to answer the question, you can find silken fabrics to make anything from. If you want a pair of socks…there are certainly manufacturers out there that can provide you with them.

It is more common to find silks being woven into typical clothing items such as dresses, pants or shirts. The smooth quality of the fabric combined with its luster gives it a great appeal to virtually everyone.

Who was the first person to mass produce silk?

There really is not one single person who is written down in history as the first to mass produce silks. History does credit the Chinese for holding the majority of the market even up to this day.

True mass production of silks did not come until the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to new weaving methods and machinery, more silken fabric could be produced. The Jacquard loom helped make silk embroidery easier and less expensive.

How does silk come in so many colors?

Silks are just like any other fibre that is woven. It can be dyed to any color that the manufacturer wants. There is a process though. First the fabric must be bleached to remove the natural yellow tint that comes from the raw silks. After it has been bleached out, dyes can be added in to reach the desired shade for the finished product.

Quality silks will be dyed in a way so that you do not have to worry about bleeding or color run-off. In the past when the dying process was done by hand, the colors were fairly limited with what could be dyed naturally. With today’s chemicals and varying shades of hues, a silken fabric can be transformed into a multitude of colors.

By: Michael Selvon

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Mike Selvon portal offers free articles on silk. Find out more about silk, and leave a comment at the discount silk blog.

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Its manufactured products mostly come from silk that is produced by moth caterpillars; however, there are other insects that also produce it. The one from moth caterpillars or the mulberry silkworm is considered to be domestic silk, while silk that comes from other insects is said to be wild silk.

In order to produce various garments, it must be cultivated. Cultivation of domestic and wild one is very different and the end products differ as well. The wild product is gathered, of course, in the wild and normally after the moth has already emerged from the cocoon.

When the moth emerges, much of it can be torn, resulting in the threads that make up the silk being shorter than if they were cultivated commercially. Domestic one differs in that the moths are never allowed to leave the cocoon; therefore, they cannot damage the thread.

Actually, the pupae never reach the moth stage, as they are either dipped in hot boiling water or a needle is used to pierce them before they reach adulthood. This allows its thread to be removed from the cocoon as one continuous thread.

China receives the credit for first developing the silk fabric and it is thought that their development of it can be dated back as far as 6000 BC. At that time, because the luxury of a fabric was considered to be a status symbol, its products were mostly worn by Kings.

Later on, the use of it spread throughout the land, but was still mostly worn by those who were rich. The feel of the fabric and the natural shimmer were the qualities that made the fabric so attractive to so many. Later, the trading of its products became so popular that the collective trade routes between Asia and Europe became known as the Silk Road.

While many items have made their way through history, only a few have the distinction of standing the test of time and having a huge impact on the world. A fabric such as silk is one of those items.

Pure silk fabrics had a huge impact on the world thousands of years ago and still today is a large consumer product. The use of it has changed the world, almost from the beginning and will most likely continue to have a huge impact on future generations.

By: Michael Selvon

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mike Selvon portal offers free articles on silk. Find out more about a fabric history, and leave a comment at the discount silk blog.
Check out the links below to find out who discovered silk…

History of silk

American Silk Road – The Ancient Art of Silk Painting by Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey silk scarves,silk pyjamas,silk fabric,silk artwork,hand printing,silk print,handkerchief,vennsy,scarves,silk,chiffon,satin,georgette,scarf,

The Smooth History Of Silk Lingerie

Silk has a long history, beginning in the Far East. It was harvested with the silk that silkworms create and made into all sorts of different types of clothing. Silk was at one point so expensive that only rich people could afford it.

Have Fun with Silk-Ribbon Embroidery

History. Also tagged as Rococo Embroidery, the silk-ribbon embroidery first appeared in England in the early 17th century. This design came up when the dressmakers in London tended to copy a French style called ‘embroidery de favour.

Chinese Silk History

Far back in China’s history, there is a lady name LeiZu, people has names her as the founder of reeling sericulture. According to history book that she is the concubine of an emperor, also known as the “Xiling Shi Zhinu.

Technorati Tags: cashmere, chinese, fabric, fine, men, pants, quilted, silk, thread

But those days are gone, and now almost anyone can own a gorgeous silk comforter!

What were silk comforters so coveted in by the Chinese?

Most comforters were filled with cotton fiber, but the longer fiber of silk were combed, aligned and stitched into thin layers of fabric which were then stacked and sealed inside silk shells to form comforters that were warm but allowed moisture to pass through easily.

In fact, silk summer comforters were simply thinner versions with less layers of filling. The comforters were placed inside a washable envelop, much like the duvet of today. Even today, in Chinese culture the comforter of 100% silk is considered a status symbol. It remains much the same even now.

Silk is a natural fiber taken from the cocoons of silk worms. A cocoon can produce up to 1,300 yards of continuous fiber. Talk about working hard!

Synthetic fiber can be produced as continuous filaments as well, but silk is the only natural fiber that has the luster, feel and look unique to the fiber produced by the silk worm. The fiber is strong, as durable as equally sized steel wire, repels mildew and dirt naturally and absorbs perspiration. Sometimes you just can’t improve on mother nature! Your comforter, if taken care of, could become an heirloom because they’re so durable and soft at the same time.

Another great advantage of choosing comforters that are silk, is that the filling will not seep through the outer shell as often happens with other fillings. Silk fabric provides a dense weave and the smooth silk filling result in a product that simply won’t leave fibers in the air from the filling of the bedding.

This naturally makes silk comforters great for those who have allergies.

Prices for comforters made of 100% silk are not significantly different than those comforters that are filled with high quality down.

These comforters are investments, whether you select down, silk or microfiber.

Of course, silk must be dry cleaned. To extend the time between cleanings and to protect your investment in such luxury, many people choose to encase their comforters of pure silk in a duvet that matches their bedding and can be changed frequently as their moods change.

Let’s look at some of the most popular ones:

Dreamsack makes comforters that are 100% silk both inside and out. These are the lightest, warmest, softest and most luxurious comforters available. The silk is held in place by baffling so that you will feel as if you are wrapped in a cloud. Spun silk floss is used for the filling and the cover is pure Habotai silk. Because people are turning toward more healthy, natural living, there is no natural fiber that has the same luxurious shimmer and hand of 100% pure silk. Cream, white, tan and gold are the available colors.

Ming Dynasty Mulberry Comforters are 100% silk both inside and out and are filled with mulberry silk fiber. Mulberry silk fiber is extra long, grade “A” silk that comes only from silk worms that are feed nothing but mulberry leaves. There are no cut silk or short fibers used to extend the silk fiber filling as with many discount comforters of silk. These comforters are considered to be three-season weight and the filling is held in place with the use of sewn in baffles which prevents the silk from moving and bunching. This comforter is available in white or honey and use of a duvet is strongly recommended.

Kumi Kookoon comforters are made from 100% silk. The filling is 100% mulberry silk and contained in box stitched baffles to ensure proper placement so the filling can not shift. These lightweight comforters are meant for year round use. Sizes from baby to king are available. A feature of the Kumi Kookoon products are the loops on each comforter that match with the tie duvets produced by Kumi Kookoon that ensure you comforter doesn’t shift inside the duvet.

You can also find comforters filled with 100% silk that are encased in cotton covers.

These cost a bit less, and don’t have the distinctive luxury feel of silk shells. If you personally find silk too slippery for your personal tastes, these comforters might be great for you.

No matter which style of comforter you choose, you’ll definitely find the best selections and prices online. Not many typical retailers could afford to carry such luxury bedding in house, but you’ll be thrilled at the silk comforters you’ll find online!

About The Author

Patricia Bowlin makes it easy to create a bedroom with flair! Find countless Free tips, ideas and information here on choosing all of your bedding by visiting now http://www.best-in-bedding.com.

Pat@best-in-bedding.com

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