suzhou's silk

Suzhou’s silk

 China is the birthplace of silk, and still produces some of the finest silk in the world. In all of China the best place to discover the wonder of silk is the city of Suzhou. It was there that some of the first silk embroideries originated, and Suzhou is still producing the best silks in China. It has been said that feeling the draping of silk across the skin is as close to heaven as one can get. There is something wonderful and mysterious about Suzhou's silk.

Authentic Suzhou silk is produced from the cocoons of silkworms. Silkworms are actually not worms, but caterpillars. Silk can be produced from mulberry leaves, cassava leaves, castor-oil plant leaves, or oak leaves, but the finest quality silk is made from silkworms that were fed purely on mulberry leaves. Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves until they are one month old. Then the worms build a cocoon to protect themselves until they change into a moth. Once the cocoons are finished workers will collect the cocoons and place them in hot water. This kills the worms and melts the natural glue that holds the cocoons together. Once the natural glue has been melted each cocoon can yield over 2,000 feet of silk thread. Once the silk thread has been unspun, it is hung outside to dry in the sun and then woven on looms. It is an extremely labor intensive process, but only this will guarantee silk of the finest quality.

Suzhou Silk can be made into innumerable products. It is most commonly made into clothing or scarves, but Suzhou silk can also be made into shoes, napkin, toys, and even kites. It is an amazing and versatile fabric that deserves its reputation.