Introduction
Silk weaving is the oldest craft in the world of works. Thai silks are a symbolism of unique lustre, different blends and sheen. Good quality Thai silk is always hand-woven. The distinctive technicality is that the warp and weft are of the different colour, which gives Thai silk its sheen and lustre, and makes it exclusive in terms of colour tones and blends. Whenever a piece of Thai silk is held in hands and placed towards light, the overall colour tone changes depending on the angle of the light. However, with machine-woven silk, regardless of what light angle you hold it at, it looks the same.
Thai silk differs significantly from that made in the other major silk producing countries. Chinese silk is likely smooth and satiny, while Indian silk tends to be soft with usage of rich colours and a more puckered look. Italian silk has the refined and stylish look of soaring fashion, and Thai silk shows the natural blended textures and patterns that are so characteristically Southeast Asian.
Mr. Buntoon Wongseelashote, President of Thai Silk Association in his munificent contribution of knowledge with Fibre2fashion.com said that, "Thai silk is best known for its unique and exotic characteristics unparalleled by other silks. Most artificial silks imitate the look of other silks than Thai silk. Thai silks are woven from indigenous silk yarn; hand reeled from unique indigenous silk cocoons which are not available elsewhere in the world. The cocoons are yellow, long and pointed, unlike white cocoons which are round. The silk yarns are unique because the Thai adopt traditional reeling method that is passed on over several generations". "Thai silk fabrics woven from this unique silk yarns are therefore unique in texture and appearance, distinctly different and beautiful", he adds.
It has tightness in its weave which adds to its uniqueness. Good quality Thai silk begins with a warp of 2,000 threads for a 1 meter width, which produces a very tightly woven fabric. Producers of substandard quality silk may use 1,800 threads in the warp (or even sometimes as low as 1,600) along with poor weft fabric. This creates a looser weave.
Thai silk is used all over the world in haute couture, and in the monarchy of furnishings and fabrics, beautiful Silk dresses are worn by ladies, elegant Thai silk lampshades in the vestibules and bedrooms and the elegantly woven locks of Thai silk embellishing the wall. The origin of weaving is still clueless but we can trace that it might have developed out of a rope, mat weaving and basket making. The second yarn is made by upright variances between the warp and the weft.
Steps in weaving
* The process begins by raising silkworms on mulberry leaves. When they are mature, the silkworms spin silk cocoons. The cocoons are then soaked into special chemicals.
* They boil this silk with various natural or chemical dyes at 90 degrees Celsius, constantly stirring the silk to get uniform color. The dyed silk thread is then dried.
* The dried and dyed silk is then spun into yarn on wooden or plastic tubes. The women use this yarn to spin the fabulous Thai silk fabric we sell.
Types of weaving Thai Silk
"Plain weave silk
"Mud-mee
"Khit
"Brocade
"Striped Thai Silk
Types of Thai Silk
"Smooth Thai silk
"Rough Thai Silk
"Two-tone Thai Silk
Conclusion
Mr. Buntoon is very positive over the demand of Thai Silks in International Markets and says, "In international market, Thai silks are positioned in the high end of the market and priced relatively higher than silks from elsewhere in the world". Though best quality silks are still produced by hand, the Thai silk industry now also produces silk using contemporary industrialized techniques. The differences are perceptible in the regular patterns of machine made silk and in the unique artisan patterns of hand made silk. Thai Silk can be washed only with a mild soap, and soaked in lukewarm water fewer number of times but it is not to be squeezed. In the last rinse, a spoon of white vinegar may be helpful in preserving the original luster. It should be allowed to shed its water down. Thai Silk should not be put into a washing machine. Thai Silk should be ironed on the inside just before it is dry or later only with a damp cloth over it.
Silk weaving is the oldest craft in the world of works. Thai silks are a symbolism of unique lustre, different blends and sheen. Good quality Thai silk is always hand-woven. The distinctive technicality is that the warp and weft are of the different colour, which gives Thai silk its sheen and lustre, and makes it exclusive in terms of colour tones and blends. Whenever a piece of Thai silk is held in hands and placed towards light, the overall colour tone changes depending on the angle of the light. However, with machine-woven silk, regardless of what light angle you hold it at, it looks the same.
Thai silk differs significantly from that made in the other major silk producing countries. Chinese silk is likely smooth and satiny, while Indian silk tends to be soft with usage of rich colours and a more puckered look. Italian silk has the refined and stylish look of soaring fashion, and Thai silk shows the natural blended textures and patterns that are so characteristically Southeast Asian.
Mr. Buntoon Wongseelashote, President of Thai Silk Association in his munificent contribution of knowledge with Fibre2fashion.com said that, "Thai silk is best known for its unique and exotic characteristics unparalleled by other silks. Most artificial silks imitate the look of other silks than Thai silk. Thai silks are woven from indigenous silk yarn; hand reeled from unique indigenous silk cocoons which are not available elsewhere in the world. The cocoons are yellow, long and pointed, unlike white cocoons which are round. The silk yarns are unique because the Thai adopt traditional reeling method that is passed on over several generations". "Thai silk fabrics woven from this unique silk yarns are therefore unique in texture and appearance, distinctly different and beautiful", he adds.
It has tightness in its weave which adds to its uniqueness. Good quality Thai silk begins with a warp of 2,000 threads for a 1 meter width, which produces a very tightly woven fabric. Producers of substandard quality silk may use 1,800 threads in the warp (or even sometimes as low as 1,600) along with poor weft fabric. This creates a looser weave.
Thai silk is used all over the world in haute couture, and in the monarchy of furnishings and fabrics, beautiful Silk dresses are worn by ladies, elegant Thai silk lampshades in the vestibules and bedrooms and the elegantly woven locks of Thai silk embellishing the wall. The origin of weaving is still clueless but we can trace that it might have developed out of a rope, mat weaving and basket making. The second yarn is made by upright variances between the warp and the weft.
Steps in weaving
* The process begins by raising silkworms on mulberry leaves. When they are mature, the silkworms spin silk cocoons. The cocoons are then soaked into special chemicals.
* They boil this silk with various natural or chemical dyes at 90 degrees Celsius, constantly stirring the silk to get uniform color. The dyed silk thread is then dried.
* The dried and dyed silk is then spun into yarn on wooden or plastic tubes. The women use this yarn to spin the fabulous Thai silk fabric we sell.
Types of weaving Thai Silk
"Plain weave silk
"Mud-mee
"Khit
"Brocade
"Striped Thai Silk
Types of Thai Silk
"Smooth Thai silk
"Rough Thai Silk
"Two-tone Thai Silk
Conclusion
Mr. Buntoon is very positive over the demand of Thai Silks in International Markets and says, "In international market, Thai silks are positioned in the high end of the market and priced relatively higher than silks from elsewhere in the world". Though best quality silks are still produced by hand, the Thai silk industry now also produces silk using contemporary industrialized techniques. The differences are perceptible in the regular patterns of machine made silk and in the unique artisan patterns of hand made silk. Thai Silk can be washed only with a mild soap, and soaked in lukewarm water fewer number of times but it is not to be squeezed. In the last rinse, a spoon of white vinegar may be helpful in preserving the original luster. It should be allowed to shed its water down. Thai Silk should not be put into a washing machine. Thai Silk should be ironed on the inside just before it is dry or later only with a damp cloth over it.
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