The finest silk fibers, and most of what we use today, are produced by "cultivated" silkworms grown in a controlled environment. The worms are fed a diet of mulberry leaves and increase their body size 10,000 times in their short life span. Once the cocoonis spun and before the worm hatches through the silk into a moth, the cocoon is soaked in hot water then unraveled, producing filaments that can be up to a mile long in size. The raw silk is then processed to remove the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fibers and causes them to stick to each other as the cocoon was spun. Silk is a protein fiber, similar to wool or to human hair. It is only natural for silks to have some irregularities –sometimes called "slubs". This is the nature of the 100% silk fabric. Silk that has been processed can be woven or knit into a variety of fabrics. Silk will shrink, so if you are using it to construct clothing, be sure to preshrink it. Silk often has a wonderful feel, (referred to as a "hand"), and an almost iridescent sheen that makes us think of luxury. The weight of silk is shown as "mm" – pronounced "mommy" – and varies within the different types of silk. Some favorite high quality silk fabric include silk satin, silk charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk crepe, silk organza, silk dupion, silk duchess satin, silk georgette, silk habotai, silk tulle, silk taffeta, silk twill and sandwash silk fabric.

Silk Crepe de Chine or silk cdc fabric is a lightweight fabric made by twisting some fibers clockwise and others counter clockwise. The twisted fibers are then woven in a plain-weave fabric, but it's the twisted fibers, not the weave, that gives crepe its distinctive "pebbly" look and feel rather than a shiny luster. Both sides of the fabric look and feel the same. Many scarves are made of Silk Crepe de Chine, often in the 12mm to 16mm range. When purchasing ready-made clothing or considering this fabric for sewing, avoid using it in tailored styles because the fabric is too soft to hold a structured shape.

Silk crepe de chine, from the French word "crepe of China" is a kind of famously versatile silk fabric, noted for its glossy luster, subtle texture, surprisingly lightweight as well as truly excellent drapery. Silk crepe de chine is very even and standard. And is probably the most durable of the cultivated silks. Silk crepe de chine is exceptionally forgivable when sewing as it takes thread well and will not fray when cut. 12mm is the basic weight among silk crepe de chine range.

Silk crepe fabric is ok to be made into apparel, such as dresses, summer blouses if you are comfortable with the see-through quality. Double layers of 12mm silk crepe de chine are totally opaque. Also, many customers order this item for lining making.

Usual Usage:

Silk crepe fabric is suited to lingerie and apparel, such as dresses, summer blouses.

------Predatex Silk Co.,Ltd., a China based company who is exporting only 100% mulberry silk fabric!