Everything you need to know about silk

A brief introduction of everything you need to know about silk in one post so you will have better feeling for adding Qensilk products in your wardrobe.

What is Silk

Silk is a luxurious natural protein fiber known for its softness, luster, and luxurious feel. It is produced by the larvae of certain insects, especially the domesticated mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori. Silk has been cherished for centuries and is woven into fine textiles through a process called sericulture.

Where does Silk Come From

Silk comes in two types of silkworm. The mulberry silkworm, also known as the domestic silkworm, is raised indoors and named for its diet of mulberry leaves. The tussah silkworm, a wild species, grows in the oak forests of colder northern mountainous regions and derives its name from feeding on oak leaves. Its growth is significantly influenced by the natural outdoor environment.

Mulberry silk is fine and soft, with fabrics that are as thin as silkworm wings and as light as gauze, making it ideal for use in lightweight clothing materials. Mulberry silk also is the most common type, making up about 90% of the world’s silk production. Produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm, this high-quality silk is celebrated for its fine quality, smooth texture, and lustrous appearance. It is hypoallergenic and contains natural proteins and amino acids that benefit the skin and hair. Mulberry silk is widely used in high-end garments, clothing, bedding, and other luxurious textiles.

In contrast, tussah silk is coarse, fluffy, firm, and has a porous internal fiber structure. Originating from the northern cold regions, tussah silk provides excellent warmth and elasticity, making it the preferred raw material for home textile products such as silk quilts and silk blankets.

The collections of Qensilk nightgown, nightwear, sleepwear, slip dress and chemise products are made from mulberry silk.

What are Common Varieties of Silk Fabric

The common types of silk fabrics include Crepe de Chine, Heavy Crepe, Jacquard Georgette, Georgette, Double Georgette, Heavy Georgette, Charmeuse Satin, Plain Crepe Satin, Stretch Plain Crepe Satin, and Warp-knitted fabrics. Premium brands often rely on advanced technological production processes for fabric dyeing and finishing treatments, utilizing environmentally friendly dyes with a colorfastness rating of 3 to 4.5. Those processes not only enhance the unique aesthetic appeal of silk fabrics but also preserve their natural properties. Post-treatment processes include varying degrees of pre-shrinking to ensure the shrinkage rate of finished garments remains between 0.5% and 3%. Characteristics of common fabric types are as follows:

1. Crepe de Chine: After high-temperature setting, this fabric exhibits excellent wrinkle resistance. It has a stable texture, high dye saturation, and vibrant colors. Heavy crepe features better drape and enhanced wrinkle resistance. It is often used in luxury silk sleepwear and evening gowns.
2. Georgette: Georgette fabrics come in light and sheer varieties, such as Jacquard Georgette, as well as thicker and softer options, such as Heavy Georgette. The light georgette is known for its airy, lightweight nature, while Heavy Georgette is appreciated for its structured appearance, strong resilience, and good drape.
3. Charmeuse Satin: As a traditional silk fabric, charmeuse satin features clear satin textures and sheen with a vintage and elegant feel. It is widely used in the makings of women’s lingerie, sleepwear, dresses, and lightweight clothing.
4. Plain Crepe Satin: Another classic silk fabric, plain satin boasts a bright and luxurious surface, smooth texture, and tightly woven structure. However, it is relatively prone to shrinkage, and its luster may diminish slightly after washing. Plain Crepe Satin is commonly used for apparel industry.
   Plain crepe satin boasts a noble, bright satin surface and is smooth to the touch, elastic, and dense. It has a natural luster, feels soft and delicate, and drapes beautifully. This type of silk is ideal for elegant evening wear, lingerie, and bridal gowns due to its glossy surface and high sheen. Qensilk adopted this type of silk fabric in nightgown, nightwear, sleepwear, slip dress and chemise products.
5. Stretch Plain Crepe Satin: This innovative fabric is composed of 90%-95% mulberry silk and 5%-10% spandex, making it a blended fabric. It is characterized by excellent elasticity, comfort, minimal shrinkage, and distinctive style.
6. Warp-Knitted Fabrics: These fabrics are soft, delicate, refined, and comfortable. As an innovative knitting material, warp-knitted fabrics have high technological content and belong to the category of premium products.

What is Momme

One factor of the real silk product quality is based upon the weight of silk which is measured by Momme(mm). One momme = 4.340 grams per square meter. So does it mean the higher momme weight the better? While, it depends. Generally, the higher the momme weight, the more durable, luxurious and expensive the fabric, making it more suitable for heavy-duty use and extending its lifespan. All silks can usually be washed, and the heavier ones can withstand repeated washing. Heavier silk is also more opaque. This can even vary within the same type of silk. For example, lightweight Charmeuse is translucent when used in clothing, but 30-momme Charmeuse is opaque. Therefore, you don’t always need to choose silk products with a higher momme weight. For instance, 25mm silk sleepwear might be too heavy for nightwear, while 19mm silk sleepwear is just as good as wearable.

Qensilk used 19 mm Plain Crepe Satin for the sake of maintaining durable texture, not see-through to wear in family gathering or parties and affordability for luxurious, comfy and sexy living of life.

Silk in Fashion

Symbol of Luxury and Status: Silk has long been a symbol of luxury, wealth, and status. In ancient China, it was used as currency and diplomatic gifts, highlighting its importance in trade and commerce. The shimmering allure of silk has made it a prestigious fabric associated with high social status and exclusivity.

Cultural and Artistic Significance: Silk’s symbolism extends beyond clothing. It has been used in cultural and ceremonial contexts to signify elegance, tradition, and prestige. The fabric’s luxurious texture and appearance, combined with the intricate process of creating it, have made it a cherished emblem of cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity.

Modern Fashion: Today, silk remains a staple in high-end fashion. Its versatility allows it to be used in various styles, from classic and elegant to modern and edgy. Designers continue to innovate with silk, creating stunning evening dresses, tailored suits, scarves, and casual wear. The demand for sustainable and ethically sourced materials has also led to new opportunities for the silk industry.