The types of silk can’t actually be distinguished with the use of the naked eyes alone but only through a need of magnifying glass. There are actually a lot of silk fabrics which textile companies use to produce clothes like silk pajamas shirts, pants, blankets, etc.
Not all silk is made equally because it is categorized according to many factors. Hence some types of silk from silkworms are as follows:
- Wild Silk – Normal silkworms are found in mulberry leaves but this silk is made from wild silkworms found in oak leaves which is heavier in nature.
- Mulberry Silk – This is the most common type of silkworm from Bombyx mori that feed itself in Mulberry leaves. This is the easiest and the least expensive kind of silk fabric to make. This type of silk dominated the worldwide silk production by about 80%.
- Eri Silk – This silk is produced from Philosamiaricini that feeds on castor oil plant leaves. This type of fabric is heavy and stronger than mulberry silk.
- Muga Silk – This golden yellow silk is made from the silkworm Antheraea assamensis that produces strong silk fibers found in Assam state.
- Spider Silk – This fiber is produced by spiders which is considered to be stronger than steel and are very elastic. However, it is extremely expensive to produce which makes it inaccurate for textile production.
- Sea Silk – Is a type of silk fabric that is extracted from mussels which gives you finer silk compared to other types that keeps you warm.
- Pure Silk – This is the purest and finest form of silk which is made with silk fibers that have no additives added during the cleaning off the gum.
- Raw Silk – This silk fiber is made from a cocoon coated with a silk gum called sericin which isn’t removed.
- Tasar Silk – Is the second most produced kind of silk fabric next to mulberry silk. This type of silk is wild which can be found mainly in the lands of India and Japan that produces a green-colored silk.
- Coan Silk – This silk is native in some parts of Greece, Italy, and Turkey which can be found in pine, juniper, and oak trees. It is a product of a silkworm known as Pacypasaatus that is mainly used to strengthen other silk fibers.
- Silk Satin – It is also known as Silk Charmeuse which is the most preferred fabric for dressmaking. This silk is mostly used for lingerie, gowns, scarves, and wedding clothes because of its heavy sleek, satiny and creamy features.
- Chiffon Silk – Is a soft sheer fabric which comes in all colors. However, because of its slippery and thin characteristics, this type of silk fabric is very hard to sew. Hence, it is more suitable in making loose flowy clothes.
Silk Dupion – This silk is quite strong but not very durable. This type of fabric is made thru weaving of yarns with two colors that came from two cocoons nested together. Most bridal gowns are made from this fabric since it is inexpensive and sheen.
