Silk is the most mysterious and attractive fabric in the world. Everything in this material is surprising: history, production method and application possibilities.
Little weavers
Silk threads are created in a very unusual way. Silkworms produce them - the only insect fully domesticated by humans. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of only one tree - mulberry, then cocoons are spun, from which, after specific processing, they unwind strands almost a kilometer long. Weaving them in 8-12 additions, everyone receives their favorite silk.
The use of fabric is very diverse. Over its long history, matter has served not only to update a fashionable wardrobe. You will be very surprised to find out why you used silk, except for clothes.
History of magic threads
Silk has been known since ancient times. It began to be produced in ancient China. The first archaeological find dates back to 5000-3000 years BC. e. Its history is shrouded in secrets and legends. For a long time, the value of a cut of fine matter was several times higher than the price of gold. Around the silk, the main historical events of several eras unfolded, and the famous Silk Road became an artery supporting the development and vital activity of several states.
Application area
For several millennia, the price of silk was so high that many monarchs could not afford to dress in it. In the Middle Ages, it served as an international currency; it was offered as tribute and diplomatic gifts.
The use of silk quickly went beyond the history of the costume. Threads have a number of unique properties that explain why and why silk was used, except for clothing:
- silk, although thin, but strong, like a wire, and very elastic, so it was actively used by surgeons and fishermen, replacing modern fishing line;
- silk has unique thermoscopic properties - it provides coolness in the heat and warms in the cold, therefore, silk wool has long been used to make warm gowns by Chinese officials and court beauties;
- thin and durable silk was the basis for Far Eastern writing, replacing paper.
And from it they made screens, partitions, fans and hats. It’s amazing what silk was used for except clothes!
But is it synthetics?
Modern silk fabrics are in great demand among consumers. In terms of production, they are in second place in the world (after cotton). However, the share of natural silk is only 2% of the total, the rest is artificial (viscose or acetate).
Natural silk is not cheap, and it would be extremely unpleasant to buy artificial material instead. We list the main ways to check the fabric for naturalness:
- Checking by fire is not the easiest, but the most reliable way. When set on fire, natural fabric smells like wool, while artificial fabric smells like synthetics or burnt paper.
- The easiest and most affordable way of checking in any situation is based on tactile sensations. When it touches matter, it quickly acquires body temperature, for this property it was given the nickname "second skin."
- Natural silk practically does not wrinkle. For a quick check, crush the fabric in your fist and release it after a few seconds. If artificial matter, there will be a clear cobweb of creases on it, and on natural - hardly noticeable.
However, do not think of rayon as a low-quality product. Modern textile production has reached a point where man-made substitutes can safely compete with their natural counterparts. Viscose or acetate material can be used for the same purpose that silk was used for. In addition to clothing, this is, first of all, home textiles: bedding, curtains, bedspreads, tablecloths. The consumption of fabric for sewing these items is great, and here the main advantage of artificial silk comes to the rescue - low cost.