Sheki Silk Factory

A visit to the silk factory was my favorite excursion at this point in my journey.
The plant was constructed in 1932 and much of the equipment has been in use since that time. They have some new German equipment purchased in the last few years.

The first step of the process is actually raising the silk worms and spinning the fine threads from the cocoons. Additionally, cotton is grown in southern Azerbaijan and shipped to this plant to create cotton thread. They also use wool yarn to create rugs, but this process must be completed at a different plant. I saw rugs being tied with wool and silk yarn, but did not see the wool being spun or died.

Creating Sheki Silk

Worker in Silk Factory

Spools for the Weft

New Equipment in Silk Factory

Sheki Cotton Bales

Preparing Cotton Roving 1

Applying Wax Before Dyeing

Drying Process 3-001

Drying Process 3

Rugs are hand tied using both silk and wool yarn. Each rug is made on request and can take months to complete. The weavers can work any pattern. When they are through with one, they start another.

Weaving a Silk Rug

Weaving Rugs 4

Weaving Rugs 3

Weaving Rugs 2

The factory stays prepared for emergencies.

Sheki Silk Fire Brigade

In the shop, you could purchase finished products. Additionally, they ship finished silk fabric to other manufacturers.

In the Silk Shop