Chinese Silk
The Story and History of Silk
Silk is one of the most unique natural fabrics. Even though the production of silk is much more complicated when compared to cotton or wool, its a history that dates back thousands of years. As you probably know, silk is manufactured from fiber created biologically by moth larvae. But did you know that it takes 1,000 silkworms produce less than one half pound of raw silk. This is definitely something to think about next time you tie your silk tie of put on a silk shirt. To break this number down even further, the evarge men’s necktie uses roughly 50 grams of silk the work produced by about 100 silk worms. Let’s take this number even further. The average American male owns 6 neckties, and about 100 million ties are bought in the US each year. So just to supply the US market with neckties, 10 Billion worms have to go to work each year. That’s quite a bit more than people living on our entire planet. And all just so you can wear a tie to work. Quite an interesting fact isn’t it.
You now might ask yourself: Who invented silk? And for how long has been Silk produced? Well, the controlled production of silk was a secret known only to the Chinese for thousands of years. The production of silk was a secret and even in China, the fabric was for many years manufactured exclusively for use by the Chinese emperor and forbidden to the people.
Chinese mythology accredits the development of raising silkworms to produce the raw material and the weaving method for the fabric to Lady Hsi-Ling-Shih, the wife of an Emperor said to have lived around 3000 BC. Archaeological evidence, however, suggests that silk may have been in use there more than 6,000 years ago making silk one of the oldest fabrics that is still produced in the same fashion today.
Silk was not only used for clothing but many other items that could benefit from its lightweight and strength. Such items were fishing line, bowstrings, and even paper. In time, the material became so prized that it was used as a commodity like gold. While other countries pegged their currencies on gold China employed silk as a form of currency. In China, silk was a major factor in the economy of the country, and still the secret was kept safe until 200 BC, when immigrants reportedly stole the manufacturing secret, and soon after started Korean silk production.
Over the next several hundred years there were many reported attempts made, with many of them being successful, of smuggling silkworm eggs out of China. The eggs were carefully hatched and silkworms were raised. Eventually silk production was common in parts of Italy, Como to be exact, Spain, Persia, and even Morocco. With time each region developed their own secrets to weave the fine silk thread into fabrics. Today high quality silk is still produced in such regions with China still being the largest importer of silk. Often times China exports silk yarn to Italy where the silk is the woven and dyed into finest silk fabric.
About the Author
Pohl regularly writes articles on men’s fashion. He himself is a necktie aficionado – hence his interest in the story of silk. His interest in fine silk ties inspired him to open is own virtual necktie retailer Ties-Necktie.com – Home of
quality mens ties
,
bow ties
, and cufflink sets.
Anyone know how i can get a chinese stain out of a silk dress?
I took it to the dry cleaners and they couldn’t get it out. Have only worn the dress once so don’t want to throw it away. Please help.
Silk is rather delicate to treat.
Like my organza jacket/overshirt.
I had stains on it and discovered it 4 years later.
I moistened the patched that was stained
Rubbed a vanish soap bar on it.
Then soaked it in warm soapy water.
The stain came off.
Rinsed and drip dried it.
You could try this treatment & re-treat it if necessary before drip-drying it.
I hope it will work for you.
Good Luck!
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf 1206 $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf 1206 $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf 1206 $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Noblest! Women’s Chinese silk shirt tops $0.99 |
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Chinese Jacquard Silk Evening Dress Cheong-sam $0.56 |
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Noble Chinese Silk Handmake Women’s Jacket Coat Shirt $0.79 |
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Noble Chinese Silk Handmake Women’s Jacket Coat Shirt $0.79 |
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Noblest! Women’s Chinese silk shirt tops $0.99 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.88 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.85 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Short Skirts Dress Cheong-sam S-XXXL $22.99 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.55 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.80 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.80 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.50 |
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Comfortable And Noble Chinese Silk Square Scarf $2.25 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Chinese Velvet Silk Peacock Shawl/Scarf green $0.85 |
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Noble Chinese Silk Handmake Women’s Jacket Coat Shirt $0.79 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.55 |
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Chinese Jacquard Silk Evening Dress Cheong-sam $0.99 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.56 |
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Chinese Velvet Silk Peacock & Peony Shawl/Scarf Red $0.99 |
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Noblest Stain/silk Chinese Lady’s Cheong-sam(S-2XL) $0.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Jacquard Silk Evening Dress Cheong-sam $0.99 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Stunning Chinese Women’s Pashmina Silk Shawl Scarf $0.88 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Plum blossom Cheong-sam $22.99 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.85 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Short Skirts Dress Cheong-sam S-XXXL $22.99 |
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gorgeous woman’s Chinese silk satin dress xxl $0.99 |
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Stunning Noblest Chinese Silk Satin Long Jacket/Coat $0.66 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Short Skirts Dress Cheong-sam S-XXXL $22.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Skirts Dress Plum blossom Cheong-sam $22.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Plum blossom Cheong-sam $8.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Dragon phenix Cheongsam $8.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Plum blossom Cheong-sam $6.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Plum blossom Cheong-sam $2.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Dragon phenix Cheongsam $7.99 |
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Sexy Chinese Silk Evening Dress Dragon phenix Cheongsam $22.99 |
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Unique Inexpensive Gift Idea for Her – 35 Landscape Chinese Silk Ink & Watercolor Oriental Scroll $19.00 Beautiful classic Ming dynasty style silk & mulberry paper hand painted decorative wall scroll, ink & watercolor painting of mountain scene with Chinese calligraphy poem, imported from Guangzhou, China, ships in 48hrs from our Massachusetts warehouse via FedEx, overnight delivery available…. |
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Japanese Silk Handheld Fan, Black with White Bunnies HF158 $11.00 Lovely designs captured on silk make these fans wonderful decorative accents. They also fit nicely into a purse to ward off hot flashes or the heat on hot summer days. Each fan is handmade and thus may look slightly different from photo…. |
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Japanese Silk Handheld Fan, Cherry Blossoms on Pink and Green HF59 $11.00 Lovely designs captured on silk make these fans wonderful decorative accents. They also fit nicely into a purse to ward off hot flashes or the heat on hot summer days. Each fan is handmade and thus may look slightly different from photo…. |
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The Essential Yo-Yo Ma $12.49 Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmical… |
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Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon $5.99 It is a perilous proposition when genres clash–and no such collaboration is more potentially fraught than when improvisation-trained folk musicians sit in with Western classical instrumentalists, who are taught to interpret a printed score. The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma has devoted much of his professional life to such intercultural experiments. But the traditions of nations situated along the an… |
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Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet $7.45 This disc introduces Yo-Yo Ma’s latest and most ambitious adventure, the Silk Road Project. It explores the cultures that flourished along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that for centuries connected Europe and the East. Founded by Ma in 1998, the project aims to create connections, mutual trust, and cultural interchange between people from different parts of the world through their only sh… |
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Vietnamese Silk Lantern $35.00 These beautiful Vietnamese silk lanterns are a wonderful way to decorate a home or event. They are made by hand from finely woven silk and bamboo using techniques invented long ago. They collapse into a tube for easy shipping and convenient storage. Simply pull up on the metal wire to expand the lantern into its shape. We guarantee that you will love your lantern. Lighting kits can be purchased … |
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Celadon Green Teapot Small Accent Table Lamp with Silk Shade $75.00 This teapot’s short, stout, has a handle and a spout…. |
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Parasol Table Lamp Shade or Hanging Lamp – Flora & Fauna $10.00 … |
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White and Black Natural Stone Health Balls – Increase Hand Dexterity and Circulation – Comes in Silk Gift or Storage Box $11.85 These Natural Stone Health Balls are a contemporary design for a very traditional Chinese remedy. According to the Chinese traditional medical theory of Jingluo, the hand contains a network of channels that circulate vital energy. Acupuncture points are distributed along these channels. Rotating the smooth stone balls within our hand in a circular manner stimulates the acupuncture points, leading … |
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Silk Fan $1.95 Planning a hot-weather wedding? This fan, made of pure silk, will help your guests cool down in style. Choose from burgundy, pink, white, or Tiffany blue to coordinate with your wedding-day décor. Fan is 9" long. |
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Blushing Bride Silk Undies $25 Keep a secret underneath your wedding gown with these seductive, silk boyshorts, trimmed with blush-colored lace and embroidered with Blushing Bride. Available in small, medium, or large. |
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Something Blue Silk Undies $25 Keep a secret underneath your wedding gown (and honor a longstanding bridal tradition) with these seductive silk boyshorts, trimmed with blue lace and lovingly embroidered with Something Blue. Available in small, medium, or large. |
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Ava Silk Cosmetic Bag $18 With a cool old-Hollywood glamour, this zippered silk cosmetic bag is perfect for stashing your bridesmaids treasured possessions. The interior has a small zippered pocket and is lined with beautiful satin. Measures 8.75" L x 5.5" H x 2.75" D. |
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Kiss the Bride Silk Sleep Mask $25 This silk sleep mask is a fun accessory for the bride to wear while she catches up on her beauty sleep, both in the days leading up to the wedding and the days following. The buttercream silk mask is bordered with a faux-pearl and rhinestone border with Kiss the Bride embroidered in silver thread. |
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Personalized Silk Fan $2.5 Planning a hot-weather wedding? This fan, made of pure silk, will help your guests cool down in style. Choose from burgundy, pink, white, or Tiffany blue to coordinate with your wedding-day décor. Fans comes personalized with names and wedding date. Fan is 9" long. Minimum purchase of 20 fans. <br>(<I>Please allow 10 business days for processing this personalized item.</I>) |
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Silk Jewelry Roll $25 Give a gift thats as practical as it is beautiful. This personally embroidered jewelry roll is made of real silk and folds neatly so your bridesmaid will never leave home without it. Customize each roll to fit your bridesmaids individual personality, available in lotus pink, celadon, and aqua blue. Personalize with name or initials. Each roll is 7.5" l expanded x 5.5"w. |
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Silk Jewelry Pouch $24.95 <br><font color=red>Clearance prices are good only while supplies last. Item regularly priced at $24.95.</font><br><br> Treat the ladies in your bridal party to a silk jewelry pouch that they can also use to carry personal items such as tissues, lip gloss, or hair pins to the reception. Personalize up to three initials, available in: pink w/celadon, celadon w/pink, pink w/fushia or simply white. |
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Silk Train Case $47.95 <br><font color=red>Clearance prices are good only while supplies last. Item regularly priced at $47.95.</font color><br><br> As anyone who’s ever been a bridesmaid knows getting gorgeous on game day is half the challenge, dealing with stressed out brides is the rest. Give your girls a personalizable silk cosmetic case to store all their beauty essentials, and you’ll be remembered as the coolest bride ever…despite the incident with the florist. <br> The cosmetic case is available in three adorable color combinations: pink w/celadon, celadon w/pink or pink w/fushia. It measures 8"x 6" x 5", comes with a waterproof lining and can me monogrammed with up to three initials. |