Origin of Silk

Ten Two Three uses the finest Chinse silk to make our silk bedcovers and silk duvets. Our products are made from 100% silk. Ten Two Three also uses pure silk to line our bedspread and duverts.

ORIGIN OF SILK
The exact date of the origin of silk is unknown. However, it is estimated that silk first began being made in 2600BC. to 2700BC. Chinese kept the silk making process to themselves for approximately 3000 years. To this day, the finest silk continues to be made in China.

SILKWORM FARMING
The name for the silk process of raising silkworms and producing raw silk came from the Greek word "serikos", which means silk.

The silk process begins with farmers breeding the native Chinese moth, Bombyx mori. Each moth may lay as many as 400 to 500 eggs. The eggs are kept in heated incubators or warmed open trays. The eggs will develop into caterpillars that will feast aggressively on Mulberry leaves provided by the farmers. The caterpillars grow very rapidly and within about five weeks they will reach about three inches long. When fully developed the caterpillars will begin to loose interest in eating and will start the process of building cocoons. The farmers will lay out straw on trays so that the caterpillars may build their cocoons.

The caterpillars will use their two tubular spinning glands, which will each secrete a single silk fiber. The caterpillar's two silk fibers will be joined to form one single thread by the caterpillar's muscular reaction. A single thread may reach as long as 280 to 320 feet. The process of building a cocoon takes about ten days. After the cocoons have been made, the farmer will separate take the majority of them to the silk factory. The farmer will keep some of the cocoons for future breeding.

THE PROCESS ONCE AT THE FACTORY
At the factory, the silkworms are divided between quality silkworms and reject silkworms. After the silkworms have been separated, the quality silkworms will be steamed to kill the chrysalis.

The cocoons will then be immersed in hot water to loosen the threads from the cocoon. The threads are pulled from the water by machine and will be joined together to form silk thread. It will take threads from six or seven cocoons to produce one thread for weaving. The thread will then be taken to a machine that will "twist" or "throw" the fiber. The bobbins on the various machines will move in different directions and at varying speeds to make different types and qualities of silk.

AFTER THE SILK FACTORY
The silk thread will then be sent to dyeing factories to color the thread. After dyeing, the silk thread will be sent to weaving factories or to silk embroidery shops. The silk will be weaved to make fabric or carpets.

SILK BEDCOVERS AND SILK DUVET COVERS
We use the finest Chinese silk to make our bedcovers and bedspreads.

The photos above are of the silk making process. From right to left, 1 - the silk worms, 2 - separating the cocoons from the silk thread, 3 - the silk thread formed, and 4 - hand stretching and twisting the silk
threads.

SEE OUR SILK DUVETS:

"Eternity" Pure Luxury! Light Green, Romantic King Silk Duvet Cover
"Mardi Gras" 100% Pure Silk Gold Bedcover Unique Design
"Night Vision" Pure Silk Black and Red Dragon Print Bedspread
"Purple Elegance" One of a Kind Custom, Silver Purple Silk King Comforter
"Purple Nights" Elegant Purple Silk Bedspread
"Red Skye" 100% Fine Chinese Red Silk 5 Piece Queen Bedset
"Royal Blue Dragons" Oriental Decor Silk Bedspread
"Royal Red Dragons" 100% Chinese Red Silk Bedspread with Dragon Print
"Serenity" 100% Luxurious Silk Oriental Decor Taupe and Brown Silk Duvet Cover
"Sunshine" Queen Yellow Silk Five Piece Luxurious Duvet Cover Set