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Thailand 's fine selection home decor - Handcraft from nature
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About Silk ...
Sericulture is said to have originated in China some 5,000 years ago; its popularity has spread the world over and has not ceased to this day. The silkworm is a caterpillar which feeds on the foliage of trees and shrubs. Its favourite is mulberry, so it is quite common for mulberry plantation to go side by side with silkworm cultivation .
The silkworm's life cycle comprises of three stages : egg, larva and chrysalis. During the last stage the insect stops feeding and begins its spinning process which is first to make an outer network called the floss, then to wind the silk continuously around its body into a cocoon
. The glossy strong silk thread from this cocoon is the raw material for human silk weaving.
Three types of silkworm are raised in Thailand:
1. Local species
This kind of silkworm makes a rather small cocoon with pointed tips like a shuttle, yielding short but strong thread, generally of yellowish or off-white colour. Rural people prefer it for their home weaving.
2.Thai hybrid
This is a cross between the local and foreign species giving a large cocoon of yellow thread which is commercially speaking better than the local species.
3. Foreign hybrid
A cross between the Japanese and Chinese species, this type of silkworm produces very large oval shaped cocoon, yielding long white silk. It is the favourite among reeling factories and naturally the best commercially.
Why Thai Silk ?
What is the difference between Thai silk and other countries silk?
Thai silk is usually soft with an uneven rough texture and slightly knotty threads. It also has a magnificent, exotic unique texture from a unique technique.
Chinese silk tends to be smooth and satiny. Indian silk is softer but more crinkly and uses richer colors. Italian silk tends to strive for a refined and elegant look but this can easily be made anywhere using mechanized weaving.
Why is Thai silk very shiny and lustrous?
Thai silk is an insect fiber which is superior when compared with other animal or plant fiber. A layer of protein gives a natural sheen and makes it lustrous and smooth. It has triangular fibers which reflect light as prisms. Thai silk is strong but lightweight, elastic but supple.
What is smooth Thai silk
Smooth Thai silk has a shiny, satin-like texture. It is suitable for all purposes, particularly clothing and interior decorating.
What is rough Thai silk
Rough Thai silk is beautiful but slightly coarse and thick. However it is still soft and highly suitable for curtains and furniture covering as well as other interior designs. It also makes elegant clothing.
What is two-tone Thai silk
Two-tone Thai silk is produced by using two different colors: one for the warp (vertical) and one for the weft (horizontal). This technique makes Thai silk luxurious and extremely pleasant to the eye. The fabric color change depending on the angle of view.
What is the different between 100% pure silk and imitation silk made from polyester
1) Thai silk costs up to 10 times more than cheap imitation silk made from polyester.
2) Thai silk has tiny imperfections due to it being a natural product. Imitation silk made from polyester has a uniform surface as made by a machine.
3) Our pure Thai silk has a contrast in color between the warp and the weft. This is what produces the sheen and luster of our silk and creates the unique blends. This changes depending on the light. Imitation polyester silk shines white regardless of the angle of the light.
4) If you burn Thai silk, it leaves fine ash and smells like burning hair. When you take the flame away it stops burning. Imitation polyester silk drips with a black smoke, and continues burning.
What is the difference between hand woven and machine woven Thai silk?
Hand woven silk fabric will have an imprint of sensation, character, heart and soul of the weaver. Its imperfection is the proof of a human creator. Machine woven has a perfect surface, but it is heartless and mass produced.
What is ply?
Ply simply means the number of threads used for the weft when weaving silk cloth. More ply means more thickness and less smoothness.1 ply is thinnest and 6 ply is thickest.
We usually use 2 ply and 4 ply for clothes depending on the style. Interior Designer uses 4 ply for curtains and sofas. However, the thickness of silk depends on your requirements