| Silk flowers are so common and so diverse | | | | In the early 20th century a large amount of research |
| nowadays that it is sometimes difficult to sketch a | | | | was performed on polymers and polymer-products |
| historical picture of their origins. However, it is important | | | | which would eventually revolutionize the flower world. |
| to know where silk flowers started their journey into | | | | Celluloid became a promising raw material for |
| mankind's heart to really understand why these | | | | recreating exquisite blooms in the 1920's when |
| flowers hold such an important place in modern | | | | Japanese craftsmen became very versatile in the art. |
| décor. The word "silk" is actually a broad term | | | | However due to its flammable nature, celluloid was |
| for any artificial flower created using conditioned | | | | soon banned from common use. In its place foam and |
| fabrics, silk or not. | | | | other products soon crept their way into the silk flower |
| Many believe that since the nomenclature of "silk" was | | | | industry and colored foam sheets as thin as petals |
| added to these artificial flowers, these flowers were | | | | were to overshadow crepe paper flowers. A small |
| first developed in China following the technology of | | | | segment of traditional artists still folded real silk flowers, |
| extracting silk from pupae of silk moths. The veracity | | | | but these were very expensive compared to the |
| of these claims is still not entirely confirmed, as the | | | | foam flowers. Nevertheless, the accuracy and realistic |
| indigenous Chinese people did create a diverse | | | | look of silk flowers was rarely to be found with the |
| amount of silk-based craft, one of which could have | | | | foam flowers. |
| been the first silk flower. | | | | However, this was not the end of beautifully crafted |
| Although artificial flowers have existed throughout | | | | artificial flowers. Recent advancements in technology |
| history and include ancient Egyptian flowers made out | | | | have paved a new path for silk flowers. Cotton and |
| of papyrus, the recorded period of silk flowers begins | | | | polyester blend fabrics that are as soft as silk, while |
| in the 18th to the 19th centuries when Europeans | | | | being a little more resistant to wear and tear have |
| wished to preserve the fleeting beauty of real flowers. | | | | now become the base for artificial flowers of all kinds. |
| Paris, the birthplace of many art forms, is also believed | | | | These hold dyes and textures equally well and are |
| to be the birthplace of the modern silk flower. The first | | | | cheaper to produce than real silk while retaining all the |
| flowers were either made of crepe paper or silk | | | | properties of real silk. The future of silk flowers now |
| fabric. The tradition of folding crepe paper into flowers | | | | rests upon the advancements to these conditioned |
| is still taught in many art and craft schools around the | | | | artificially produced fabrics and mold injected PVC. |
| world, being easy to learn. However, it is, as all other | | | | Even so, the silk folding craftsmen around the world still |
| craft, very difficult to master. The silk fabric could | | | | hold the true secrets of folding silk flowers perfectly, |
| easily be folded into a flower that could retain its | | | | recreating the beauty of real flowers. |
| shape for a long period of time if done properly. | | | | |