Sewing Silk
Here are 10 tips for sewing silk:
1. Iron before cutting. Use a warm dry iron on the reverse
Focus on Satin
Satin is one of the most common terms when referring to silk fabric. The name is derived from the satin weave which produces a smooth and lustrous surface, created by weaving a minimum of four weft (vertical) with a single warp (horizontal) yarn, which results in fewer interlacings. Satin can be produced from both natural […]
Silk and Dyes
Silk absorbs dyes extremely well. There are two main dyeing methods: yarn-dyed, where the fibres are dyed before weaving or piece-dyed when the dyeing takes place after the fabric has been woven. The different processes create different characteristics. Yarn-dyed qualities include taffeta, duchess satin and many patterned woven fabrics, while crepes and twills are mostly […]
The Queen of Fibres
Silk does for the body, what diamonds do for the hand This quote by designer Oscar de la Renta is so true. Silk is a unique, naturally beautiful, luxurious, lustrous fabric that has historically been associated with wealth and prestige. It has always been recognised as a status symbol, so no wonder that it is […]
How Silk is Produced
Silk is produced from the threads of cocoons spun by silkworms on their journey to becoming a silk moth. Each cocoon is made from a single thread that can be nearly a mile long and is about the size of a cotton ball. While different insects can produce silk, by far the largest quantity comes […]
Caring for Silk
For thousands of years, silk has been highly prized for its luxurious properties. But quality silk fabrics do require special care. Here are our answers to three frequently asked questions: Can I wash silk in the washing machine? The recommended care instruction for all silk fabric qualities is DRY CLEAN ONLY. Machine washing is not […]
Silk Facts
Here are a few facts about silk that may surprise you:
Focus on Douppion
Silk douppion is a type of plain weave silk fabric with a fantastic lustre. Also known as dupioni, dupion or douppioni, this fabric has a crisp quality that makes it suitable for many different uses. How is silk douppion made? The fabric is made by weaving uneven thread formed by two silkworm cocoons in the […]
Focus on Habotai
Renowned for its lightness, softness and beautiful sheen, habotai is a wonderful plain weave silk that is a particularly popular fashion choice for linings, as well as blouses, lingerie, pareos and scarves. It is also top of the list for designers of lampshades. Habotai plays a big role in the arts. Apart from costumes, this […]