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Silk making begins with the adult silk moth, which is raised solely for reproduction. Batches of moths are kept in special houses where temperature, light and air are controlled by brazier, air vents, and blinds. This is to control reproduction so that the moths in each batch will mate at the same time. Since the moths' lives are controlled so they will mate at the same time, the eggs also are produced and hatch at roughly the same time. Once the silkworms hatch from their eggs, they are kept on bamboo trays and fed fresh mulberry leaves to store fat while they mature. As the silkworms mature, they spin cocoons from a jellylike substance in their silk glands. After about a week, some cocoons are steamed or baked to kill the worms inside. Some of the cocoons are left to nurture and release moths to reproduce. The cocoons are then plunged into boiling water to unravel the silky fibers. each cocoon consists of a thread about half a mile long. Once the cocoon fibers are unraveled, several are reeled together on a spool to make a thread strong enough for spinning. The fine silk fibers are woven into different types of cloth, from filmy gauze to heavy brocades.

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12y ago
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9y ago

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
The ancient Chinese made silk from silkworm's cocoons. They put the cocoons in warm water and they unravel it. Then the unraveled cocoon is used as thread to make the silk. The first step is reeling, then throwing, then boiling and weighting, then dyeing (that is optional) and then finally weaving it all together.

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14y ago

The business of raising silkworms and unwinding cocoons is now known as silk culture or sericulture. It takes an average of 25-28 days for a silkworm, which is no bigger than an ant, to grow old enough to spin cocoon. Then the women farmers will pick them up one by one to piles of straws, then the silkworm will attach itself to the straw, with its legs to the outside and begin to spin.

The next step is unwinding the cocoons; it is done by reeling girls. The cocoons are heated to kill the pupae, this must be done at the right time, otherwise, the pupas are bound to turn into moths, and moths will make a hole in the cocoons, which will be useless for reeling. To unwind the cocoons, first put them in a basin filled with hot water, find the loose end of the cocoon, and then twist them, carry then to a small wheel, thus the cocoons will be unwound. At last, two workers measure them into a certain length, twist them, they are called raw silk, then they are dyed and woven into cloth.

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11y ago

According to legend, the Chinese empress the lady of Si-Ling began the cultivation of silkworms in 2640 BC. To make silk, silk farmers use a complicated method of checking, transferring & feeding. The method then spread to other regions.

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11y ago

It was woven into fabric, and used for clothing and other textile and also into book marks and shoes.

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12y ago

call me at 561-310-9484

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14y ago

You make silk by silkworms.

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Q: What was Silk used for in ancient china?
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Continue Learning about General History

Who wore silk in Ancient China?

Silk was discovered in ancient China around 300 BC.


What are the legacies in ancient China?

gunpowder fireworks silk


In the ancient world's the main producer of silk is?

china


The Silk Road was an ancient trade route going from China?

It is from China's Chang'an.


Why was silk invented?

I DONT EVEN KNOW ..........Ancient China

Related questions

Who used silk?

the silk weaver . and she from ancient china


How was the silk road useful?

The Silk Road was used to trade in Ancient China


Why was silk so important in ancient China?

It was used for trade,


The Silk Road stretched from China to?

The Silk Road, stretched from China to Xion. ps. Silk Road was built in ancient times/ancient China. Good luck


How was silk transported in ancient China?

Some of the animals used for silk transportation along the Silk Road were donkeys, horses, and camels.


Why was silk trade famous in ancient China?

Silk trade was famous in ancient China because back then, only China knew how to make silk, and anything rare is usually worth a lot. China kept silk-making a secret from the rest of the world.


What are the materials used in silk?

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced by insects. The silk from moth caterpillars is the primary one used in textile manufacturing. Silk fabric was first produced in Ancient China.


What were the most prized materials in ancient china?

The most highly prized fabric in China was silk.


Who wore silk in Ancient China?

Silk was discovered in ancient China around 300 BC.


Which of the following is a fragile ceramic thought to have been invented in China?

porcelain. It was used frequently in ancient china. as well as silk


What was its important for silk in ancient china?

because only the chinese did know how to do silk.


What kind of clothing did Kings wear in ancient China?

the wealthy people in ancient china wore silk