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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Technorati Tags: chinese, clothing, colors, dresses, fabric, fabrics, fiber, fibre, history, natural, of, pants, pure, quality, shirts, silk, silken, silks, soft, woven

Not every bride requires a wedding dress filled with lace, pearls, or other fancy ornamentation.

A fancy wedding dress is great if you are into that kind of thing, but what if you prefer to be more casual? What if you and your fiance want a very laid back wedding? You could go for a ceremony where blue jeans and t-shirts are the formal attire, but if you are looking for a more casual wedding dress, you can easily find them at the many bridal stores around the country, both online and in person.

Casual wedding dresses are becoming more and more popular with todays brides. Fewer women want to sink hundreds or thousands of dollars into a dress they wear for a few hours before packing away in a box for another member of their family to possibly wear years down the line. Instead they like the functionality and practicality a more casual dress offers. Additionally, they can be worn for other functions whenever a fancy dress is needed.

Informal wedding dresses can also be made in a variety of styles. They can be long or short, sexy or modest, white, black and white, pink, or any other color that suits your fancy. Silk, tulle, chiffon, cotton, denim, linen, gauze, and hemp are just a few of the fabrics we have seen these relaxed dresses made in. Whatever your particular tastes are, there is an informal wedding dress waiting for you.

When would you wear a casual wedding dress? You could wear them for ceremonies that take place: at home; on the beach; at the courthouse; during a second or third marriage ceremony; or if you elope. These dresses are simply the newest way to celebrate your marriage.

If you are getting married in an exotic destination, then a beach wedding dress is ideal for your fun in the sun. Your silk summer dress can be light and airy, something flow that can catch the warm breezes of your location, but still functional enough to wear at another gathering. Your dress can still reflect your personality and should reflect it while being fun and not confining. A sarong or sundress is the perfect choice for a beach wedding dress.

Plus size wedding dresses also come in a casual style that not only flatters the bride but makes her feel beautiful as well as comfortable. Plus, there is nothing wrong with a plus size wedding gown being a chic suit instead. Many women who are concerned about the way they look in a dress will find that a chic pant suit is the better option and they still look fantastic standing next to their beloved on their special day.

Casual brides no longer have to limit themselves to uncomfortable formal wedding dresses that simply do not fit who they are. Dressy pants suits, flowing sundresses and sarongs, and colors other than white are all the new casual wedding dresses of today. There is no reason why the bride cannot be comfortable. After all, it is her day.

Bernice Eker is an expert on wedding dresses and wants to help people by sharing her expertise. For more information on cutting the cost of your wedding visit: http://www.romsas.com/articles/view/1/slashyourweddingexpensesby80.html

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I have gathered together a few more sources of information here for you to browse

Wedding Dress - It was My LUCKY DAY!!

When I had tried on ALL the ones that we picked out, I was about to change back into my clothes when one of the girls that worked there and whom we had told it was for a destination wedding suggested that I try on a raw silk style 

New With Tags 2 Be Wedding Dress Gavin Michaels 916, Size 6

This is a gorgeous raw silk gown with a chapel length train (no alterations were ever done) It is in perfect condition, only tried on a few times in bridal salon. I really love this gown but my wedding became more casual

Used Pronovias Wedding Dress Semilla, Size 10

Dress Description: Beautifully simple raw silk wedding gown in off-white. Ruched in front and back. Hidden zip up side and built in corset requires no additional undergarments. Sweep Train can be hooked up for walking and dancing! 

Wedding dress Fabric Glossary (II) | Wedding Dresses Reviews

Silk: The most sought-after, cherished fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive); there are several types with different textures: raw silk and silk mikado are just two examples. Silk Gazar: A four-ply silk organza.

Technorati Tags: blue, brides, casual, dress, dresses, gowns, informal, ivory, plus size, pure, satin, silk, wedding

If you like to sew, then you know just how fussy silk fabric can be.

The edges have this tendency to fray and pull, and the fabric will literally crumble at your fingertips if you are not careful.

However, the upside to fabric that is made from silk is the luxurious feel that you get when you touch it. Like you imagine wrapping yourself in it over and over until you are all covered. Silk feels good on your skin, it feels great between your fingers, and it is a fabric that many people love to use and wear. There are many different kinds of silks, how do you know which one to choose for what?

When you are investigating silk fabric to find the best one to use for the purpose you need it, you are more than likely going to run into dupioni. You will find that dupioni silk is the best of all silks, it feels the best between your fingers, and on your skin when you are wearing it. This silk is the most expensive that there is, and you will find that there is none more luxurious anywhere.

Chiffon silk fabric is another one that you are likely to come across. While this type of silk fabric is elegant is gorgeous, you will find that it is also affordable. More so than the dupioni. This is good news if you are looking into getting into a huge project with silk, and the kind that you are to use for the project is up to you. You will find when using chiffon for your projects what ever it is, that it is the easiest to work with, and you will have no problems getting this fabric to cooperate.

If you are looking for silk fabric to go into a crazy quilt, you will find that any kind will do. In this kind of quilt any kind of fabric goes, silk or not. It is always great to add a touch of silk to this type of quilt. However, it is mandatory to do so. You will find that the silk in a crazy quilt will pull out the softer side, and you will love the end results as will the person that you are making the quilt for.

Silk fabric has many different uses. You can use it for whatever you want to. You can be creative and put it in a quilt, make drapes, make clothing, or just drape the fabric over a curtain rod without ever sewing a stitch into it. There are so many things that you can do with this fabric that you will have no problems using it all up. Use your imagination and have fun with it. You will love the end result.

by Charlena Stadelman – ArticleCity.com

Care of Silk Fabric

Silk is a delicate yet very strong fabric and needs special care when cleaning.  

My Textile Notes: Care of Silk Fabric

Always wash silk in soft water. Add a pinch of Borax or ammonia, if the water is hard. 1. Put the silk in a tub full of lukewarm water and mild soap like Ezee. 2. Rub the silk fabric for a few minutes in the solution and drain. 

Provide silk fabrics: Test the silk fabric if its real

To test fabric if its silk, burn test can tell you if the fabric is silk or not, we do use this test when we buying materials from wholesale market / supplier shop. And may use this test to check the wool/cashmere as well.

Technorati Tags: chiffon, dupioni, fabric, pure, silk, silk fabric and sewing, silk fabrics, silk quilting fabric