Tussah Silk

Tussah is a wild silk, procured from the cocoons of wild tussah silk worms that thrive on oak and juniper leaves. The tussah silk moths live wild in the jungles of Asia. Silk produced from tussah silk worm is dark beige to light brown in colour, and is thick and fibrous. The silk is also sturdier than white or cultivated silk. India and China are major producers of wild silk in the world.

Tussah Silk Production
The cocoons of tussah silk is wildcrafted, i.e, they are collected in the jungles after the moth comes out. As the worm is not grown in a controlled environment, the moth hatches from the cocoon. This is turn affects the filament length and makes the fiber short and coarse instead of long and lustrous.

Properties of Tussah Silk Fabrics

• Reeled and woven on small foot-powered looms, tussah silk fabric is irregular.
• Tussah silk is dark in color, coarse in texture and cannot be bleached. The texture alleviates the wearer with a vibrant sensation than the typical smooth silk.
• The fabric is incredibly resilient, which makes it an excellent choice for traveling clothes.
• The silk is difficult to dye and most often comes in its natural color, a creamy tan.