Silk is one of those fabrics that many designers use on a consistent basis. Its texture and look cannot be beat. Unfortunately, the price is often a deterrent. As with any fabric, the dying process can change the price of the fabric but, silk more than other fibers, tends to be on the higher end of the pricing structure. Even the base price silks start out over $30 per yard retail. Silk price can soar up in the hundreds of dollars. So what makes this fiber more expensive?
Silk fabric was first developed in China as early as 3500 BC. From the beginning, silk was a considered a luxury fabric because of its texture and luster. This silk fiber is so desired because of its triangular shape which allows for light refraction. The silk that we are all used to purchasing comes from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori. Because of the many steps of cultivation, this process can be both lengthy and tedious. After hatching, the larvae eats mulberry leaves consistently for approximately six weeks and then is ready to spin a silk cocoon. Each silkworm produces about a kilometer of silk filament. Once treated with boiling water, four to eight cocoons are harvested at once to produce a single thread. About 2500 silkworms are needed to produce one pound of raw silk which is heavier than the washed silk we are used to by about 30%.
Although the US did initially produce some silk in New Jersey during the 19th century, China still reined as the silk capital of the world and does to this day. During World War II, the US’s silk trade from China was interrupted and we began to find alternative sources, such as nylon. Silk costs are only raised due to the importing of almost all silk from China today.
Silk does provide us with great colors and textures for a room. In many cases, there is nothing that beats it!
Beacon Hill Astwood - Sienna
Sources:
http://www.texeresilk.com/cms-silk_making_how_to_make_silk.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk
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