In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Barbara Saltern <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >I have recently been able to pick up some silk thread at my local fabric >shops. One type was Gutermann's and the other is a Clover product. One is a >matte finish (Gutermann's) and the other is shiny. According to Brenda's book >the Gutermann's is spun and the Clover is reeled.
If I remember correctly, reeled silk is reeled direct from an unbroken cocoon - so the strands are as long as they were spun by the silk worm when it spun the cocoon - anything up to 500m (or more) in length. By boiling the cocoon (the silkworm does not survive) the seracin (glue) is removed so that the silk strand can be unwound. Lots of these strands are then spun together (by a human) to form the thread that you buy. Spun silk (especially Noil) is made from damaged cocoons - where the live moth has hatched - so that the silk strand is broken into shorter lengths which are then separated as above and spun together to form the thread. Consequently, reeled silk will be a smooth, strong fibre, as it is a "mono-filament" (in that respect, like the synthetics). Spun silk, like cotton and other multi-filament threads, has a nap because of the ends of the shorter fibres combined to make it. Both will make beautiful lace, but you may find reeled silk slippier to work with, and the ends will need darning, not knotting. Gutterman is a nice thread to use for needlelace - it behaves well! -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
