How do China make silk?

Answer 1

The cocoons or pupa are put into ovens to kill any insects on them, this way the

silk is protected. Silk workers are now ready to reel the threads of the cocoon. The

reeling is done in a factory called a filature. The cocoons are first soaked in hot water to

remove the sericin. While they are soaking and the threads are coming apart, the threads

begin to be pulled by a pulley. The pulley is made of porcelain and is like the eye of a

sewing needle. The silk from many cocoons are wound together onto one reel. The silk

is so fine and delicate that it takes several cocoons to fill one reel. These reels are then

shipped to be weaved. This silk is called raw silk, because nothing has been done to it.

The raw silk will go through a lot, before it is strong enough for cloth.

It will go through a stage called throwing. Throwing means to twist. The raw silk

will be twisted and strands will be added and twisted together once again. This makes

the silk stronger than it was when it came off the cocoon. Depending on the fabric to be

made, determines how the silk will be thrown and reeled, or if it will be thrown at all.

After the throwing of the silk is done, it then goes through a process called boiling

off. It is boiled in soap water to remove any left over sericin on it. The removal of all

sericin finally allows the beauty of the silk to show through.

The silk then goes through the process called skein dyeing. The silk yarn is dyed

before it is weaved.

After dyeing, the silk is finally ready for weaving. Looms are used to weave the

silk yarn. Almost all silk producing countries have replaced hand weaving with power

looms. Jacquard looms are used to weave the heavier and fancier fabrics. The Jacquard

looms can create beautiful designs and patterns

Answer 2

Silk worms and silk worm eggs are made of silk