Introduction to the Cantonese Cloud Silk Production Process

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Textile Production Process

I. Raw Materials:

1. Raw Silk: Pure silk fabric with density and quality deviation rates meeting relevant national standards.
2. Tuber Fleeceflower Root: A perennial, robust vine plant of the Polygonaceae family, with tuberous roots. Its surface is dark brown, with a red interior.
3. River Mud: Collected from rivers within the Shunde District, rich in ferrous ions. It has a gray-black color, no foul odor, fine texture, and does not contain any impurities affecting its use.

II. Processing Techniques:

1. Process Flow: Preparation of raw silk → Preparation of tuber fleeceflower root solution → Immersion in tuber solution → Sun drying of tuber → Sprinkling tuber solution → First sealing of tuber solution → First boiling of silk → Second sealing of tuber solution → Second boiling of silk → Third sealing of tuber solution (commonly known as “lifting the cargo”) → Mud treatment → Cleaning of river mud → Fourth sealing of tuber solution (commonly known as “complex black”) → Laying out in the fog
2. Key Techniques:
   (1) Preparation of Raw Silk: Cutting raw silk into segments of 15 to 20 meters long and sewing cotton fabric rod sleeves at both ends of each segment.
   (2) Preparation of Tuber Fleeceflower Root Solution: Placing crushed tuber fleeceflower root in a bamboo sieve, soaking it in a water tank, and filtering the obtained solution. Successive solutions obtained are termed as “first pass water,” “second pass water,” “third pass water,” and “fourth pass water.”
   (3) Immersion in Tuber Solution: Immersing prepared raw silk in “first pass water” and continuously turning it until thoroughly soaked.
   (4) Sun Drying of Tuber: After removing from the tuber solution, allowing the raw silk to naturally drain water, then spreading it with the front side up on the grass and exposing it to sunlight until dry.
   (5) Sprinkling Tuber Solution: Sprinkling “second pass water” onto the sun-dried raw silk, immediately smoothing it with a broom made of sunflower leaves to evenly spread the solution and dry it. This process repeats several times.
   (6) First Sealing of Tuber Solution: Placing the raw silk into a specially made sealing tank, immersing it in “third pass water” for over 30 minutes, and sun drying it. This process repeats several times.
   (7) First Boiling of Silk: Placing the raw silk in a large copper pot, soaking it in “third pass water” at a temperature of 45°C to 50°C for 4 to 5 minutes, continuously turning it. After soaking, the raw silk should naturally drain water and dry.
   (8) Second Sealing of Tuber Solution: Applying “fourth pass water” to the raw silk after the first boiling, repeating the process several times.
   (9) Second Boiling of Silk: Applying “fourth pass water” to the raw silk after the second sealing.
   (10) Third Sealing of Tuber Solution (commonly known as “lifting the cargo”): Applying “fourth pass water” to the raw silk after the second boiling, only once, and rolling the raw silk into a cylindrical shape after drying.
   (11) Mud Treatment: After the above processes, treating the raw silk with river mud. The mud treatment should be conducted in a shaded area following these steps:
   ① Evenly stirring the river mud into a paste.
   ② Spreading the raw silk with the front side up on a clean cement surface, applying mud to form a uniform thin layer, ensuring no bottom is visible to the naked eye.
   ③ After applying mud, gently folding the raw silk along its central axis, then smoothly lifting it onto sandy ground and spreading it out for 30 to 50 minutes.
   (12) Cleaning of River Mud: Lifting the raw silk with mud treatment to a nearby river for washing, drying it on the grass after washing with the front side up.
   (13) Fourth Sealing of Tuber Solution (commonly known as “complex black”): Sealing the raw silk for the fourth time. After the fourth sealing, laying the raw silk on the grass to dry.
   (14) Laying out in the Fog: Before and after sunset, laying the raw silk on the grass to absorb moisture from the grass, softening it, lasting for 40 minutes.

III. Quality Characteristics:

1. Sensory Characteristics:
   (1) The front side is shiny black, while the back side is coffee-colored or the original base color, with tuber and mud stain traces.
   (2) Rustic and beautiful, with a soft, smooth, and resilient texture.
   (3) Strong breathability, non-sticky to the body.
2. Physical and Chemical Indicators:

• Silk fiber content: 100%
• Water washing dimensional change rate: -5.0% to +2.0%

III. Safety and Other Quality Technical Requirements:
Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with relevant national standards.