fabrics

There are many types of fabrics and each has a unique use. Some occur naturally, while others are man made. Cotton, wool, silk and leather are all natural fabric types. Acrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon are synthetics that are man made. The silk fabric is hailed as the best for the beautiful luster, softness and richness in look. The uniqueness of silk as a fabric is that it can be worn in any season. It gives warmth in winter and coolness in summer.

The history of the use of silk dates back to 2640 B.C in China. It is said that a Chinese emperor discovered the process of releasing silk threads by silkworm. Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves for a period of 30 days until it gets very fat. Then it starts releasing a silk thread to build a cocoon. He studied keenly the process and found out a way to use the pure silk prepared by the silkworm. The process of unwinding the silk thread from the silkworm cocoon to prepare fabric was soon mastered by many people in China. The method of silk fabric manufacturing continues to this day in China and the country is the largest producer of silk in the world.

A little advice on silk clothing care and proper maintenance may be in order. If you take the utmost care in preserving your wedding silk dress and hubby’s silk shirt, then they may come out of the closet unscathed for the silver jubilee wedding celebrations. Always let professionals take care of your silk clothes, as they need to be washed and ironed with great care. Very rarely it is done without professional assistance. While all other clothes go to the washing machine, the silk and the woolen ones go to the launderer. The smoothness and luster of silk fabrics will remain undiminished with time if good care is taken of them.

The silk fabric is costlier than most other fabrics. Silk garments and draperies are used more by the upper echelons. But it is common to find carefully preserved prized silk dresses and gowns in any family, cutting across class. People all over the world love silk. No woman’s wardrobe is complete without a little black silk dress. If the men love their silk ties and shirts, then the women also love their flowing silk gowns and saris.