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sedoniaraqs · 07-20-2008, 05:57 AM

RE fabrics: For veils I prefer 6mm or 8mm habotai (= "china" silk, but people also use "china silk' to refer to polyester fake silk) silk. Some people like 5mm. The silk gauze I have purchased from Dharma is very light, < 5mm, and is hard to work with. Making a circle skirt out of it would be a nightmare. Silk chiffon is also very nice, but has a matte texture in contrast with the more glisten-y shine of habotai. For skirts, 8mm or 10mm habotai is good.

RE dye: You are right, A'isha, I'm going to vomit! IMO silk deserves better than RIT. Jacquard acid dyes give much more vibrant colors, are not that much more expensive and every bit as easy to use. Jacquard acid dyes also give much more vibrant colors than Procions (plus they don't shift).

RE prewashing: I buy natural silk (its a pale ivory very close to white) don't worry about prewashing, have never had trouble with silk gum (at least in habotai) but I suppose it is a possibility. Raw silk and tussahs definitely need prewashing with something strong enough to remove silk gum.

RE bleaching: NEVER PUT CHLORINE BLEACH ON ANYTHING SILK. Bleach dissolves protein and silk fibers are protein. The silk will either disintegrate into dime-sized bits, or become so fragile it will tear with the slightest touch. You do not want to know how I learned this.

07-20-2008, 05:57 AM	#23 (permalink)
sedoniaraqs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cultural wasteland of the midwestern US Posts: 574	RE fabrics: For veils I prefer 6mm or 8mm habotai (= "china" silk, but people also use "china silk' to refer to polyester fake silk) silk. Some people like 5mm. The silk gauze I have purchased from Dharma is very light, < 5mm, and is hard to work with. Making a circle skirt out of it would be a nightmare. Silk chiffon is also very nice, but has a matte texture in contrast with the more glisten-y shine of habotai. For skirts, 8mm or 10mm habotai is good. RE dye: You are right, A'isha, I'm going to vomit! IMO silk deserves better than RIT. Jacquard acid dyes give much more vibrant colors, are not that much more expensive and every bit as easy to use. Jacquard acid dyes also give much more vibrant colors than Procions (plus they don't shift). RE prewashing: I buy natural silk (its a pale ivory very close to white) don't worry about prewashing, have never had trouble with silk gum (at least in habotai) but I suppose it is a possibility. Raw silk and tussahs definitely need prewashing with something strong enough to remove silk gum. RE bleaching: NEVER PUT CHLORINE BLEACH ON ANYTHING SILK. Bleach dissolves protein and silk fibers are protein. The silk will either disintegrate into dime-sized bits, or become so fragile it will tear with the slightest touch. You do not want to know how I learned this. Last edited by sedoniaraqs; 07-20-2008 at 06:00 AM.