Understanding Raw Silk and Its Role in Ronghua Crafting

Silk has long been a cherished material in Chinese craftsmanship, with its smooth texture, natural sheen, and incredible versatility. When it comes to silk, two primary forms are commonly used in crafting and textile production—raw silk (生丝) and refined silk (熟丝). In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of silk and how raw silk plays a unique role in the art of Ronghua (绒花), or velvet flower crafting.

What is Raw Silk?

Raw silk, also known as true silk, is the continuous fiber obtained directly from silkworm cocoons. Unlike refined silk, it retains a high amount of sericin (silk gum), giving it a slightly stiff texture. This natural firmness makes raw silk more suitable for weaving luxurious silk fabrics like satin and brocade.

Raw Silk vs. Refined Silk

The key difference between raw and refined silk lies in their processing.

Raw Silk: Obtained by reeling silk fibers from cocoons and twisting them together. It is firmer, slightly coarse, and contains sericin, making it less soft.

Refined Silk: Undergoes an additional degumming process, where it is boiled in a soap solution to remove sericin. This process makes the silk fibers softer, more delicate, and ideal for clothing, silk quilts, and refined crafts.

While refined silk is commonly used in textiles and close-to-skin garments, raw silk's firm structure makes it particularly useful in certain forms of traditional Chinese art—especially Ronghua.

Why is Refined Silk Preferred for Ronghua?

For most Ronghua creations, refined silk is the preferred material because:

It is soft and easy to fluff up, essential for the signature texture of velvet flowers.

The silk fibers separate easily, creating a delicate, three-dimensional effect.

It takes dye well, allowing for vibrant and long-lasting colors.

How Raw Silk is Used in Ronghua

Although refined silk is ideal for most floral designs, raw silk has a distinct role in Ronghua crafting:

Due to its stiffness, raw silk is excellent for making fruit decorations, pom-poms, and small animal figures in Ronghua.

It provides better structural support, ensuring that certain designs retain their shape over time.

The firm texture makes it resistant to deformation, making it a preferred choice for detailed, sturdy elements in Ronghua.

Steps for Using Raw Silk in Ronghua Crafting

The crafting process for raw silk Ronghua differs slightly from that of refined silk. Below is an outline of the key steps:

Arranging the Silk Threads

For pom-pom designs, threads are grouped together without strict alignment.

For strip-based designs, each thread set must be even and neatly spaced.

Flattening the Silk

Unlike refined silk, raw silk requires additional preparation, such as flattening with heat.

Combing the Fibers

Raw silk is naturally less tangled than refined silk, so only light combing is needed.

Binding with Wire

A thicker wire, such as 0.4mm untreated copper or steel wire, is used to provide additional support.

Twisting or Rolling the Fibers

For strip-based designs, a silk twisting board or machine is used to create the desired shape. For pom-poms, pliers are used to tighten the wire securely.

Trimming and Shaping

Unlike refined silk, which can be shaped using flattening tools, raw silk designs rely on careful trimming with scissors.

Final Assembly

The crafted elements are assembled to form the final Ronghua piece.

Final Thoughts

While refined silk is the go-to material for most Ronghua flowers due to its softness and fluffability, raw silk holds an important place in adding structure, shape, and durability to certain designs. Understanding the differences between these two silk types allows crafters to utilize the best material for each element of their creations.

If you’re interested in exploring more about Ronghua and silk crafting, be sure to check out our DIY kits, tutorials, and workshops to start your journey into this beautiful traditional art!