What is Shantung pongee
Silk may be defined as a protein fiber made form the cocoon of the silkworm. When the silkworm begins its spinning, two filaments are emitted producing what is known as the cocoon. Up to 1600 yards of thread can be reeled from the cocoon. It has been widely used for centuries to make fabric, yarn, or thread. The quality usually depend on the length of the filaments, sericin content, defects and type of weave used. Silk is known for it’s softness, luster and beauty.

Shantung pongee is one kind of silk made in Shantung province, Shantung pongee is produced by Caterpillars raised on Shantung mulberry leaves by Shantung weavers. Weifang Yu Xiang Yuan silk is a manufacturer, supplier and exporter of natural silk scarves, natural silk shawls, silk fabrics, silk stoles from China. All the products are made form the cocoons of wilk and semi-wild silk moths of Shantung province.

What is the difference between machine woven and hand woven silk
Machine woven silk is a monotonously perfect, mechanical, mass-produced, heartless, industrial cloth, but each piece of hand woven silk is work of art from the hands, it carries an imprint of the character, thoughts, emotions, spirit of the weaver. No two pieces are the same. Its imperfection is the heart of its beauty and the proof of the human creator.

What is the difference between Shantung Pongee and other kinds of silk
Shantung pongee is usually soft but has a relatively coarse texture with uneven, slightly knotty threads. This quality makes it extremely suitable for weaving by hand. Shantung pongee has a magnificent, rich, exotic beauty and, with proper care can last a century or more. Other kinds of silk tends to be smooth and satiny. Indian silk tends to be softer but more crinkly and use richer colors, Italian silk tends to strive for a refined and elegant look but this can easily be accomplished anywhere using mechanized weaving.

How to maintain Shantung pongee products
Good silk can last for years and is not difficult to maintain, if done properly it is simple to care for silk:
-Just squeeze a few drops of lime in cold/lukewarm water, dip the silk and rub gently, remove, add a table spoonful of clear white vinegar added to the final rinse. wring lightly(!) and dry away from direct sunlight. Preferably where there is a milk breeze, and be sure it is well supported.
-If using soap, make sure it is mild. Use cold water and do not soak silk in soap water. Dip, rub gently, rinse and dry in the shade.
-Avoid the use of chemicals-these may damage your silk, and end up reducing its life considerable.
-Iron Shantung pongee on the inside of the garment while it is still slightly damp. If already dry, apply a damp cloth on the outside and iron through the cloth. Properly cared for Shantung pongee can easily last a century and be passed on to your children and grandchildren.

How can I recognize 100% pure silk and imitation silk made from polyester
The four basic methods for determining true silk are by 1)considering the price; looking carefully at the 2)weave and 3)luster; and 4)by burning a piece!
1) Pure real silk costs 5-10 times as much as imitation silk made from polyester.
2) Our real pure Shantung pongee weave is completely hand made and the filament is a natural fiber with clearly visible small flaws and joins in the thread along the warp and the weft. Imitation silk made from polyester is a machine-made fabric and has a perfect surface with no flaws or bumps.
3) Luster also shows whether a fabric is real of imitation. Our pure Shantung pongee is made with one color for the warp and another color for the weft. This produces the sheen and luster of our ilk and creates the unique two tones and blends which change depending on the angle of light. Imitation polyester silk shines white regardless of the angle of the light.
4) If you burn Shantung silk (a thread or two is enough)with a flame, it leaves fine ash and smells like burning hair. When you take the flame away it stops burning. If you burn imitation polyester silk with a flame, it drips, burns with a black smoke, and continues to burn after the flame is taken away.

What is dupion silk
Dupion is an interesting silk fabric made using a mixture of silk from both long, smooth, white cocoons and short, rough, yellow cocoons.