When considering buying silk pillowcases, one term that's not so familiar that you will definitely come across is momme. Momme, which is commonly abbreviated as mm, is a Japanese word used as a unit in weight measurement and quality of real silk, just as the quality of the cotton sheet is measured in thread, real silk is measured in momme. This article takes a detailed look at Momme. Read to find out more.
Mommes (mm), is a unit traditionally used to measure the quality of silk fabrics. One momme = 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter.
Range of Momme
The range of momme weight for silk weaves starts from a minimum of 3 momme to a maximum of 40 momme. Below are the name classifications of momme weights.
| Gauze | 3 to 5 momme weight |
| Organza | 4 to 6 momme weight |
| Chiffon | 6 to 8 momme weight |
| Crepe de Chine | 12 to 16 momme weight |
| Charmeuse | 12 to 30 momme weight |
| Raw silk | 35 to 40 momme weight |
Advantages of Silk Fabric with high Momme
The higher the momme, the denser and heavier the weave of the silk fabric will be, and the higher the quality also. It will also be stronger and more durable, able to endure laundry washes and night rests.
During the production of silk, the density and yarn count of the silk thread will be adjusted by the factory to control the weight or momme of the silk. For instance, in the 30 mommecharmeuse pillowcase, the fiber is woven tighter together than a pillowcase with a lower momme. Silk fabrics with higher mommes are produced with thicker yarn.
The difference between 19MM and 22MM silk products.
The percentage of silk per square inch of a 22 mm silk is almost 20% higher than that of a 19 mm silk. The higher momme weight also implies that the weave is denser, and this denser weave helps to protect the sheen and luster of the silk. This gives room for stronger durability.
The lifespan of a pure silk sheet with 22 mm weight is estimated to be double that of silk sheets with lower momme weights. Although it is thicker than the 19 mm silk, the 22 mm silk is just as soft as the 19 mm, and it has a shinier appearance.
Importance of knowing the Momme of Pillowcases and sheets
A lot of the silk bed linens, such as pillowcases and sheets, are made from silk with mid-weight momme range between 18 momme to 3o momme. As already stated above, the higher the momme weight of the silk, the more durable the weave of the fabric will be, and also, it will be more luxurious. It will also be more appropriate for heavy-duty use, and it will have a longer life span. However, the heavier the silk, the less breathable. The products with lighter weights, such as pillowcases and sheets, are made from silk with a momme weight of 19 mm. But 22MM is best choice which is comfortable, durable, and affordable for all of us.
