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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Silk scarves have international flair with exquisite designs and qualities

Scarves from any variety and fabric attract the attention of both genders and of any ages. Scarves are the essential part of fashion as it is worn on any occasion and throughout the year. Your choice can fall on the scarves from different materials like angora, wool, cotton, silk or even fleece or flannel.  Silk scarves can serve as outwear or complementary accessories for a particular suit or dress.

Silk scarves … one of the most versatile and easily adaptable fashion accessories are silk scarves. They are easy to wear and yet they can bring an extra tinge of elegance to anyone who wears them. As fashion items, they are mostly worn over shoulders, wrapped loosely around the neck, used to tie down hair or worn as a head wrap.

The constant pulling, folding, knotting or just letting them settle loosely upon the shoulders can pick up natural pollutants from the environment or absorb perspiration from the person wearing them. In such cases, it would be necessary to perform proper ways of caring for these fashion accessories to prolong their good condition. As fashion investments, a silken scarf may cost the owner a considerable amount of money and it is but proper to render them the proper care and maintenance that they would need.

The Proper Way to Clean Silk Square Scarves

There are certain considerations to make before washing and cleaning your silken scarf. Designer silk might react negatively to washing as the process can result to shrinkage or it can diminish the natural sheen that makes this a highly sought fabric. It would be wise to follow the washing or cleaning instruction provided by the care instruction or you could source out a reputable dry cleaner that are qualified and experienced in handling silken material.

A regular silk piece can be hand washed but this would require the use of cold distilled water and woolite. Never soak the garment in a detergent solution and avoid wringing like it was an ordinary laundry. It can be dried by laying it on top of clean towels as absorption materials. Do not dry it over hangers as this might cause unwanted stretching. After removing excess water using towels, lay them on a mesh rack then use a low-intensity air dryer or blower. Never dry the item directly under the sunlight.

Storage Tips for Square Silk Scarves

An integral part of taking care of your silk scarf is proper storage. It would be imperative to note that the piece should be totally cleaned before storage. These are special materials so it should only be proper that the owner allocate designated room for them in their closet or whatever storage area she has available. Accessory rings can also be good place to hang them in as well as large rounded hooks.

The storage area for your silk scarves should also be located away from direct sunlight to prevent unwanted discoloration. The location should also be protected from other hazards such as chlorine, bleach or alcohol. Linen boxes lined with acid-free soft tissue paper can be great storage locations. The point is the storage area should be free from potential snags that can ruin a perfectly good  silk scarf .

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Add Wedding Elegance For Less With These Fabrics

Have your flower girl throw silk rose petals down the aisle to announce the arrival of the bride. Another popular fabric for wedding decorations is linen, which is perfect at formal parties for tablecloths and covering chairs and is less costly than silk. Affordable materials to use for tablecloths and chair coverings including cotton, polyester, organza and lame. Lame has silver or gold threads to add a gossamer metallic glimmer to any area.

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Fabric & construction: – exterior: 100% silk jacquard (ie woven). – same fabric is often used in east asian bridal outfits. – gold thread has slight sheen to it. – medium thickness. – hidden quilted lining inside for durability 

Wedding Dress Fabric  Your Wedding Wardrobe

One of the most important decisions you will make is fabric choice. Generally, it is best to steer away from synthetics as these types of fabrics do not breathe. Much better to choose silk, linen or cotton as these are all natural fibres that … Brocade is a rich heavy fabric with a raised design, generally with gold or silver threads on a satin weave background. An excellent choice for a period style wedding dress where the bodice and skirt is made of damask.

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