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How to Quilt>Silk Thread History
History of Silk Thread
Silk thread was first processed in China, and has been used in embroidery for more than 5,000 years. Originally, silkworm cocoons were collected from trees. In 2640 B.C., a Chinese Empress discovered that if a silk cocoon was placed in hot water to soften the natural glue or sericin (which holds the cocoon together), then a silk cocoon could be unwound and stretched into a long filament. Silk was a primary thread for embroidery, used in tapestries and garments, blackwork, and samplers. During World War II, the silk supply literally dried up overnight. Chemical companies developed synthetic fibers commercially, and these fibers replaced silk almost instantly. As a result, for more than fifty years, people have looked upon silk as rare, expensive and delicate. With the rising interest in natural fibers, embroiderers acknowledge silk for its practical and lustrous qualities. The translucent cellular structure of silk allows it to absorb dyes and to reflect light to a high degree, giving the finished product a pure color and a beautiful luster. When worked in specialty stitches, silk has a bright sheen unrivaled by other threads. Archaeologists found that silk in China, buried in tombs for 3,000 years, was the only fiber that remained intact and recognizable. Also, in Sweden, while dredging a channel in the harbor where an old warehouse had burned, black silk skeins buried under mud for 27 years were discovered. After cleaning, they found that the color, strength, and luster still remained. Quilters have used silk for centuries in their quilt making. Silk fabric has been popular as fabric to be used in a crazy quilt. More recently, thread manufacturers have expanded their selections to include many different colors of silk thread. Decades ago when I began quilting, it was almost impossible to find silk thread in a local shop, and when I did, the colors were limited to black and ecru. Now, in addition to thread, silk batting is more common. Originally silk batting was very airy and needed to be quilted with stitches close together. Today, batting manufacturers are combining cotton with silk to create a batting that is easy to use while retaining the benefits of silk - its strength and beautiful drape.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com
©2009-10, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact. Â Â
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