Silk 101
WHAT IS SILK
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm reared in captivity. The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fiber, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different colors.
HISTORY
Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China. The earliest example of silk fabric is from 3630 BC, and it was used as wrapping for the body of a child from a Yangshao site in Qingtaicun at Xingyang, Henan.
Legend gives credit for developing silk to a Chinese empress, Leizu. Silks were originally reserved for the Emperors of China for their own use and gifts to others, but spread gradually through Chinese culture and trade both geographically and socially, and then to many regions of Asia.
King James I introduced silk-growing to the American colonies around 1619, ostensibly to discourage tobacco planting. The Shakers in Kentucky adopted the practice. In the 19th century a new attempt at a silk industry began with European-born workers in Paterson, New Jersey, and the city became a silk center in the United States. Manchester, Connecticut emerged as center of the silk industry in America from the late 19th through the mid-20th century.
SILK TYPES
Several kinds of wild silk, which are produced by caterpillars other than the mulberry silkworm, have been known and used in China, and Europe since ancient times. However, the scale of production was always far smaller than for cultivated silks. There are several reasons for this: first, they differ from the domesticated varieties in colour and texture and are therefore less uniform; second, cocoons gathered in the wild have usually had the pupa emerge from them before being discovered so the silk thread that makes up the cocoon has been torn into shorter lengths; and third, many wild cocoons are covered in a mineral layer that stymies attempts to reel from them long strands of silk. Thus, previously, the only way to obtain silk suitable for spinning into textiles in areas where commercial silks are not cultivated was by tedious and labor-intensive carding.
Commercial silks originate from reared silkworm pupae, which are bred to produce a white-colored silk thread with no mineral on the surface.
We, Silk Camel, always use the first-class long strands of mulberry silk.
USES OF SILK
Silk's absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather. It is often used for clothing such as shirts, ties, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, lining, lingerie, pajamas, robes, dress suits, sun dresses and Eastern folk costumes. For practical use, silk is excellent as clothing that protects from many biting insects that would ordinarily pierce clothing, such as mosquitoes and horseflies.
WHY SILK
· Silk's natural inhospitality of bed bugs, dust mites, mold and mildew makes it suitable for bedding application, especially for allergy suffers.
· Long fiber mulberry silk comforter is manufactured using a layering grid technique which places layer upon layer of silk in a criss-cross pattern. This design allows some of our body heat to escape. The comforter filled with this natural silk can have you stay dry and wick away moisture from the body reducing humidity that causes sleeps to become excessively hot or cold.
· A silk-filled comforter has an airy, fluffy loft that has moderate puffiness that’s less poufy than down. This creates a drapery, light-weight feel that easily conforms to your body. Also, certified silk comforter ensures the fibers are free of harmful substances -- no skin irritants or toxic outgassing.
· Long mulberry silk floss strands can be thousands of yards in length! This ensures the comforter filling layers never bunch or shift.
· Silk bedding is much healthier for us than a feather, down or synthetic bedding. Silk is sympathetic to our body's needs and help us get relaxed and deep sleep like a baby.
WHY SILK CAMEL
Just one reason – we use the best quality long strand mulberry silk and we are confident with that. like the featured product - comforter, 1.1 meter's zipper is provided to allow you to unzip it and do the QA/QC yourselves.
CARE INSTRUCTION
Silk comforter/duvets are made of the finest quality long strand mulberry silk, they are less susceptible to bacteria and the cleaning requirements are far less than a conventional comforter. All you need is using duvet cover and to be aired in the sun indirectly once a year.