This is filament silk: produced by reeling silk as a continuous thread from Bombyx mori silk cocoons. It is the primary product of the silk industry and after further processing produces reeled or nett silk - the finest and most lustrous of all the silk yarns. Before the end-product is produced these skeins of filament silk must be thrown (twisting several ends together) and doubled (plied) and degummed.

These skeins are 13/15 denier thickness - a fine thread combining the filaments from approx. five cocoons. The skeins are simply beautiful as they are but when opened out have a honeycomb appearance (look at the degummed skein image) formed by the crossing over of the silk as it was being wound into a skein.

The raw skeins still retain the gum or sericin. They will lose about 25% of their weight during degumming. They can be dyed - in the gum, but will lose the colour if degummed. They are not as soft or as lustrous as degummed skeins but have a special quality. For many purposes they will require degumming before use. In the gum fine layers can be sprayed with water and ironed between layers silicone paper to adhere for a 'paper' effect. They have wonderful sculptural qualities.

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