SILK - A fiber derived from the cocoon of the silkworm and also from certain species of spider. The cultivation of the mulberry tree, upon whose leaves the silkworm feeds, dates back to about 2640 BC in China. Chinese records of that period mention the use of silk in robes, sun shades, etc.
Silk probably became known to the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Greeks some-time in the second century BC through Persian and Phoenician traders. Although it was worn by Cleopatra in the first century BC it was rarely used in Egyptian textiles until the fifth century AD. Heiogabalus (204-222 AD) was the first Roman emperor to wear silk. In the Byzantine period, raw silk was imported from China and woven in the emperor's palace in Constantinople. Its production was then being controlled by the emperor. This woven silk was valued at fabulous sums. In 360 AD the Persian king, victorious in a war against Constantinople, carried away the most skillful weavers. This was the foundation of the subsequent fame of Persian silk. It was in the sixth century during Justinian's reign (527-565) that Byzantine silk culture was again at its height, to last another three centuries. Under his patronage, eggs of the silkworm and seeds of the mulberry bush were brought from China by two Persian monks, concealed in their hollow bamboo stuff.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SILK:
•Silk is the most luxurious fiber.
•Silk is comfortable to wear, cool in summer and warm in winter.
•Silk is warm but lightweight.
•Silk is resilient and elastic; it holds its shape and resists wrinkling.
•Silk can be used in a variety of fabric constructions from very sheer to very heavy.
•Silk can be supple and drapeable, as well as stiff and bouffant.
•Some kind of silk has high luster.
•Silk has little static buildup.,
•Silk absorbs moisture well and dries quickly.
•Cultivated silk dye and print well.
•Silk does not pill or soil easily.
•It is resistant to mildew, but susceptible to moths and insects.
•It is weakened by sunlight, yellow when exposed to light, excess heat, and with age.
•Silk is damaged by perspiration and body oils.
•Silk fiber doesn't shrink, but many silk fabrics do.
•Most silk requires dry cleaning, but some can be laundered, depending on the fabric structure, finish, dye, and the garment structure.
•Silk is easily damaged by strong soap and detergent, hot irons, acids, and alkalies.
•Silk is easily damaged by improper ironing.
•Silk is the strongest natural fiber; but is weak when wet.
•Some kinds of-silk are very slippery.
•Other kinds of silk slip badly at the seam line.
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How to Walk Properly in Heels
How do you walk smoothly in high heels
? Practice, practice, practice! Your heels won't look so fab if you fall out of them, so you have got to spend some time walking around in them and getting comfortable. You can't walk the exact same way in high heels that you walk in flip-flops or sneakers. Here are some tips to help you strut your stuff in heels.
On Your Mark
Start by simply putting on your high-heeled shoes
and standing in them. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and turn sideways so you can see your profile. Practice getting into a pose where you can stand up straight, without leaning back way too far, or
sticking your butt in the air. Once you've got your stance, move on to walking practice.
Get Set
To practice walking in your high heels
, first—relax! It's not really that hard.
Go!
Lean back slightly. High heels tend to push your body forward, so you have to lean back a teeny bit to stand straight. You should be familiar with this from your standing exercise above. Now take a smooth, even stride forward
with one foot, bringing the heel down first and the rest of the foot quickly and smoothly following.
Don't put extra weight on the heel as it touches down—just roll off it so the whole foot bears your weight as you step onto it. Toes should point straight forward, or maybe slightly outward (if that's easier for you). Keep legs straight and close together as you walk. Gently swing arms to help you balance.
You may find that when you walk in high heels, it's easier to take smaller steps than normal. You definitely should avoid doing anything other than walking—running in heels is only for the very experienced (like the Sex and the City characters—but they're all a lot older than you!). You will probably also find that you can't stand for too long if you're not used to heels, because your calves and maybe your back will get sore.
Extra Credit
It's a good idea to kick off your heels when you hit the dance floor. If you think you might want to try dancing in your heels, practice a ton at home before trying it in public. Dance in front of music videos in your living room while wearing your heels, to see if you can pull off your regular moves in your new shoes.
A Word to the Wise
High heels
are not great for us girls, but many of us insist upon wearing them. If you wear heels, try to give your body a break by wearing flats from time to time. After all, flats are totally hot this season too!
Read more...
? Practice, practice, practice! Your heels won't look so fab if you fall out of them, so you have got to spend some time walking around in them and getting comfortable. You can't walk the exact same way in high heels that you walk in flip-flops or sneakers. Here are some tips to help you strut your stuff in heels.On Your Mark
Start by simply putting on your high-heeled shoes
and standing in them. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and turn sideways so you can see your profile. Practice getting into a pose where you can stand up straight, without leaning back way too far, orsticking your butt in the air. Once you've got your stance, move on to walking practice.
Get Set
To practice walking in your high heels
, first—relax! It's not really that hard.Go!
Lean back slightly. High heels tend to push your body forward, so you have to lean back a teeny bit to stand straight. You should be familiar with this from your standing exercise above. Now take a smooth, even stride forward
with one foot, bringing the heel down first and the rest of the foot quickly and smoothly following.
Don't put extra weight on the heel as it touches down—just roll off it so the whole foot bears your weight as you step onto it. Toes should point straight forward, or maybe slightly outward (if that's easier for you). Keep legs straight and close together as you walk. Gently swing arms to help you balance.
You may find that when you walk in high heels, it's easier to take smaller steps than normal. You definitely should avoid doing anything other than walking—running in heels is only for the very experienced (like the Sex and the City characters—but they're all a lot older than you!). You will probably also find that you can't stand for too long if you're not used to heels, because your calves and maybe your back will get sore.
Extra Credit
It's a good idea to kick off your heels when you hit the dance floor. If you think you might want to try dancing in your heels, practice a ton at home before trying it in public. Dance in front of music videos in your living room while wearing your heels, to see if you can pull off your regular moves in your new shoes.
A Word to the Wise
High heels
are not great for us girls, but many of us insist upon wearing them. If you wear heels, try to give your body a break by wearing flats from time to time. After all, flats are totally hot this season too!Read more...
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