What is Silk Fabric? Silk is The Thread From Which Love is Woven...

Silk is the thread from which love is woven...

The history of silk, used to make the silk fabrics that have been the fashion industry's favourite for centuries, dates back to 2700 BC. It is said to have been discovered during the reign of the Chinese emperor Huang Ti, when the fibre hanging from the cocoon was seen by chance. Silk is known as the queen of fibres.

The origin of the scientific name silk is derived from Latin ser (icum) and Persian sere. Roman documents refer to the Far East as ser(um).

How did silk get to Europe?

Chinese silk fabric manufacturers and rulers took very harsh measures at all times not to lose this very valuable invention.  Anyone who allowed silk-making techniques to leave the Chinese empire was punished, for a time, even with death. At first, it was given to foreign statesmen visiting China as a sign of prestige and nobility.

Aristotle mentioned meeting silk fabric manufacturers on the Greek island of Kos in the 4th century.

Around 550, silk was brought to Istanbul, where it quickly gained fame, spreading across the Mediterranean to Spain, Italy and Greece from the 9th century. Silk was so important that the longest caravan route carrying Chinese goods and Eastern culture to Europe via Anatolia was called the 'Silk Road'.

Silk fibre has a soft and shiny structure that is produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori after a long adventure. A single silk cocoon can produce around 900 metres of continuous silk fibre.  Despite its appearance, silk is very strong. However, its strength decreases slightly when wet. It is an animal fibre. It absorbs dyes easily and retains them well.

Silk, which has played an important role in textile trade throughout the ages, was transported to Europe via the Silk Road, which passed through China, India, Tashkent, Baghdad, Damascus and Istanbul. The masterpieces of silk fabric manufacturers were spread all over the world.

What can you make from silk?

• Women's clothing.
• Scarves, ties, shawls
• Handkerchiefs
• Quilts, cushions and other home textiles
• Carpets
• It is a fibre of animal origin.
• It holds the dye easily and well.

Today, pure silk and silk blends, which still retain their elegance, are indispensable additions to collections. The fact that there are silk museums, silk factories and schools, valuable silk artefacts and the perception of elegant silk in many countries from China to Europe is a miracle of the tiny silkworm.