Silk: its history, how it’s made and why we use it at nook
Silk has been used for clothing, furnishings and bedding for thousands of years. Producing it takes considerable skill, and its softness and natural sheen have made it one of the world’s most prized textiles. It all begins with a silkworm spinning its cocoon.
Where does silk come from?
Mulberry silk comes from the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori, which feeds on mulberry leaves. When it forms its cocoon, it produces a long, continuous filament. These fine filaments are carefully unwound and combined into threads that can be woven into fabric.
The practice of raising silkworms for silk production is called sericulture. It requires careful work at every stage, from tending the silkworms to processing the cocoons and preparing the threads for weaving.
A short history of silk
Silk production began in ancient China. According to Chinese legend, an empress discovered it when a cocoon fell into her cup of tea. As it softened, a fine thread began to unravel.
For centuries, China closely guarded its knowledge of silk production, while the finished fabric travelled far beyond its borders. Silk became a prized trade good along the routes we now call the Silk Road.
Eventually, the knowledge of how to produce it spread across Asia and into Europe. Different regions developed their own weaving traditions and designs, making silk part of everything from elaborate ceremonial clothing to furnishings and everyday accessories.
What makes silk special?
Silk has a natural lustre that gives colour depth and changes as the fabric moves in the light. It also takes dye readily, making it suitable for both richly patterned textiles and simple, plain fabrics.
But silk does not always look or feel the same. The threads and the way they are woven affect its texture, weight and drape. A structured silk jacket, a sheer scarf and a smooth pillowcase can all be made from silk, despite feeling very different.
For pillowcases, a smooth finish is particularly appealing. It feels comfortable against your face and allows your hair to move across the fabric with less catching and rubbing.
What does momme mean?
If you have browsed silk bedding, you have probably seen the word “momme.” Pronounced “mommy,” it is a measure of fabric weight per unit of area.
A higher momme number means the fabric weighs more for the same size piece. When comparing similar silk fabrics, this generally means a more substantial fabric. Momme is useful when choosing a pillowcase, but the silk itself, the weave and the construction also matter.
At nook, we use 22 momme mulberry silk. It gives our pillowcases a substantial feel while keeping the softness and flexibility that make silk comfortable to sleep on.
How can a silk pillowcase benefit your hair?
As you move in your sleep, your hair rubs against your pillowcase. That friction can contribute to frizz and breakage, particularly if your hair is already fragile.
Cotton pillowcases, especially those with a rougher texture, can catch and tug at your hair as you turn during the night. This can leave you with more tangles, disturbed curls and extra frizz to deal with in the morning.
A smooth silk pillowcase helps reduce this friction, allowing hair to glide more easily across the surface. This can help limit overnight frizz and preserve your hairstyle, with less pulling on delicate strands.
If you regularly wake up with your curls disturbed or your hair looking frizzy, changing your pillowcase is a simple adjustment to try.
What about your skin?
The main appeal for skin is the smooth surface. Silk can feel less abrasive than a rougher fabric like cotton, with less rubbing as you change position during the night. For people who find textured bedding uncomfortable against their face, that can make it a more pleasant surface to sleep on.
Cotton absorbs moisture and can soak up the creams and serums you apply before bed. Silk is less absorbent, helping more of your skincare stay on your skin, where it belongs. It aso helps your skin retain moisture overnight, making it a great choice if your face often feels dry in the morning.
Silk also has an anti-ageing appeal: its smooth surface helps to minimise the temporary sleep creases you notice on your face in the morning. Reduced friction and less dragging against your skin, alongside better moisture retention, make it a simple but effective addition to your evening skincare routine.
Why choose a nook silk pillowcase?
We spend hours with our hair and face against a pillowcase every night. Choosing a smooth, comfortable fabric is a small change you can enjoy every time you go to bed.
Our pillowcases are made from 100% mulberry silk in a 22 momme fabric, with silk on both sides. Whichever way you turn your pillow, you get the same soft surface.
An envelope closure holds your pillow inside without a zip, and our five colours — Pearl White, Champagne, Blush Pink, Sage Green and Charcoal Grey — give you room to match your existing bedding or try something different.
Explore nook’s silk pillowcases and choose your colour.
