Khadi silk quilts through women self-help group (go back »)

Silk industry in India is an agro based industry. In the process of production of cocoon to

fabrics various types of wastes are produced at different stages from Cocoon to fabric 

garment. The important categories of the silk waste are: Pierced Cocoons from Grainages in

which moth has emerged.Unreelable Cocoons which are cut, soiled, irregular shapes, Thin

transparent cocoonsFilature wasteThrowsters waste.Waste produced during weaving, Knitting,

cutting waste-Apparel productionNormally above mentioned wastes are the Raw material for

the Spun Silk yarn both in Mulberry and Non-Mulberry silks. One of the major byproducts in

Sericulture is Pierced Cocoons and Defective cocoons which are not suitable for the

production of continuous filament silk. Pierced cocoons give top quality silk. Both

Mulberry and Non-Mulberry Unreelable cocoons can be converted as Hand made Nonwoven

suitable for QUILTS, Wadding garments.First step in QUILT is sorting, softening of

Unreelable cocoons without pupae through degumming i.e. removal of Sericin-the gum Excess

water is squeezed from the degummed cocoons and the cocoons in wet condition are used for

making web. Individual wet cocoon is slightly opened by hand and then stretched  pulled

from the top along the Bell shaped Web Maker till the base to form a bell shaped thin layer

of web. The same process is continued placing 3to 4 layers one above the other as per the

required thickness. The web is then removed and dried under shade.Bell shaped dried webs

are placed on table and stretched gently and uniformly on all sides to form a square web 

Felt  sheet form. Number of such webs are placed one above the other as per the thickness,

length, width of QUILT required (say 7 X 7 x 6) `The Web in spread sheet should be stitched

at different places wrapped with the bandage  mosquito type cloth. Finally to add value to

the quilt, Dupion silk or printed silk or Embroidered Silk fabric may be used as cover. The

stitching method is similar to that followed in preparation of cotton quilts 

beds.Mulberry, ERI, Tassar Unreelable cocoons are suitable for the production of QUILT

which will be bulky, light weight and warmer than cotton. Organisations like KVIC, HHEPC,

NGOs which are mainly concerned with the promotion of hand made products may implement the

technology of diversified utility of Unreelable cocoons for the production of value added

products without involving much additional expenditure  infrastructure. In India, Self-Help

Groups are promoted by N.G.Os, banks and co-operatives can take up the project. The SHGs

have made a lasting impact on the lives of the women particularly in the rural areas. Their

quality of life has improved a lot.