Real silk or not? Know what you're buying
Names like “art silk” and “silky satin” are pretty, but do they mean natural silk? (Probably not.) Here’s how to know what you’re buying.
Full articleProduct code 101-64-0017
A light, fluid velvet fabric made of natural silk and rayon in dark green, silk velvet makes beautiful tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, kimonos, scarves, and throws. It looks fabulous shirred, cut on the bias, draped in cowl necklines, and wrapped around the body.
Read moreShade: | dark green |
Material: | 100% silk |
Width (cm): | 135 cm |
Width (inches): | 53 ″ |
Weight (mm): | 44 mm |
Weight (gsm): | 191 gsm |
Weight (oz): | 5.6 oz |
Drape: | very supple |
Care: | |
Availability: | seasonal collection |
Minimum order: | 0.2 m |
in stock 53.7 m
This supple velvet fabric in dark green brings together two very fine, soft fibers: The base is silk, the pile rayon. This combination makes a light, breathable, easy-to-wear fabric with a slinky, fluid drape (especially when compared to ordinary cotton velvet, which can be quite stiff). It plays with light beautifully. Its matte surface catches reflections, which looks great in gently shirred garments.
Silk velvet makes beautiful tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, kimonos, scarves, and throws. It looks fabulous shirred, cut on the bias, draped in cowl necklines, and wrapped around the body.
Working with velvet requires some experience. To add body, use one of our finer linings such as habotai, or voile.
We recommend dry cleaning this fabric at a reliable dry cleaner. Washing may cause the fine plush to tangle and break. If you must iron velvet, never do so on a hard surface; instead, steam iron while hanging from the back side.
Yes. Silk is our specialty. All fabrics marked as "silk" in our shop are always made of natural silk. You can rely on the fact that is always natural mulberry silk unless we say otherwise. If it is a different type of natural silk (e.g., wild silk), we will say so. We describe the many types of natural silk in full detail in our post on types of silk.
Washing is generally not recommended for silk – it belongs at the dry cleaners. However, as our big silk wash test has shown, some types of silk fabrics can stand up to a gentle wash program or hand washing without harm if you follow the procedure described. That said, wash silk at your own risk. We definitely recommend testing in advance on a small sample of the fabric – because silk is a natural material it's not 100% predictable. Never use an ordinary laundry detergent – use a special detergent for wool and silk or, if there's no other option, a gentle, silicone-free shampoo.
The fabrics in our core inventory, seasonal collections and limited editions are from repeated production cycles that we have quality-tested – given proper care their colors should not bleed. Fabrics that are on offer while supplies last are one-off products that have not been individually tested, so we recommend testing on a sample. Silk may lose some color when washed in water that's too hot or with unsuitable detergent. Always follow the recommended water temperature and use detergents designed for washing silk or wool. Washing silk, though it is often no problem, is always at your own risk. Read more in our post on How to wash silk.
If you are not going to dye the finished garment, we recommend a high-quality polyester thread for sewing silk. If you want to dye the finished garment, be sure to choose a silk thread (polyester does not take dye). The choice of sewing needle and thread depends on the type and weight of the fabric – for sewing particularly fine fabrics (chiffons, georgettees, light satins, light crepes) a thinner polyester or silk thread and a corresponding thin needle are suitable. Do not use cotton thread to sew silk.
Probably the best way to tell is the burn test. Silk burns reluctantly, leaving a black crumb that you can easily crush between your fingers and smells like burnt hair. Be sure to test threads pulled from both the weft and the warp. In addition to the burn test, there are a plenty of other tricks – check out our post on how to tell real silk.
Names like “art silk” and “silky satin” are pretty, but do they mean natural silk? (Probably not.) Here’s how to know what you’re buying.
Full articleFor a rounded hem, like on a circle skirt, a simple fold-over won't work. What to do? Master these simple tricks for finishing curves.
Full article10 must-haves for your sewing space: scissors, pins, needles, thread, and more. See our list.
Full articleCan you wash silk? And how? We decided to find out. See our great silk washing test.
Full articleStep into summer with a simple shift dress. This timeless classic is a perfect project for beginners and a great way to use silk.
Full articleEver wondered about sewing machine needles? Don’t know what size to use on your project? Our sewing needle cheat sheet comes to the rescue!
Full articleThere’s no better way to start sewing with silk than making a silk scarf. It’s easier than you think. Learn a new skill and gain an elegant new accessory. Our easy, illustrated tutorial takes you through the process step by step.
Full articleIt’s no wonder silk has always been the choice of royalty. Sleeping on natural silk can smooth the complexion and put an end to bedhead. But there’s no reason to trot down to your local luxury boutique to pick up a fancy cosmetic pillow when it’s so easy to make your own using the gorgeous silk of your choice and at a fraction of the cost. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Full articleAs you browse our silk selection, you may be mystified by the abbreviation “mm” in our fabric weight column. Millimeters? No. The mm stands for momme (pronounced moe-mee), a traditional measure of silk weight that comes to us from Japan. What can it tell us? Read on for enlightenment.
Full articleFabric weight is one of the key elements in any fabric description. It’s an indicator of what a cloth is actually made of and what it could be good for. In online fabric shops you’ll find it listed alongside textile content and width, in brick-and-mortar shops it’s on the sticker at the end of the bolt. So, what exactly does it tell you?
Full articleA good tailor is the cure for all that ails you. But how to pick the right one for you? Whether you want to save the planet, need something that flatters your figure, or just want to look great, a good tailor is the key. But how does it work? What should you expect? This article takes you through the process of identifying a good tailor and working with them to produce the results you want.
Full articleSilk pillowcases are having a moment, and it’s no wonder. Not only are they a dream to sleep on, they keep your skin hydrated and even prevent bedhead. We’ll look at what the fuss is all about and help you choose the right fabric to make your own. Find out what silk can do for your beauty sleep.
Full articleThat silk dress was a real find, but – d’oh! – the tag says dry clean only. At a loss? Here are a few tips on finding a good cleaner. It’s easier than you may think and it’s certainly worth the effort. If you’ve been living in jeans and a t-shirt and this is your first foray into the world of professional cleaning, take a deep breath and read on. Levels of service and know-how can vary widely but a good dry cleaner can be worth their weight in gold. Choose wisely (we tell you how) and your clothes will thank you.
Full articleSilk bedding is a luxury you can treat yourself to every night. Make your own duvet cover and tuck yourself in without spending a king’s ransom. This guide will help you navigate our silk selection to choose just the right fabric for dreamy results.
Full articleThe circle skirt is a classic that will make a great addition to any summer wardrobe, and with this “sartorial” (eh-hem, Sartor + tutorial ;-) absolutely anyone can make one. Our detailed, two-part tutorial takes you through it step by step. In part one we outlined how to make your pattern and calculate fabric use. Now we’ll get down to the nitty gritty of cutting and sewing the skirt. After all the theory in part one, the hands-on work in part two will be a cake walk. Let’s get sewing!
Full articleEver wonder what those funny symbols on care labels mean? The washtub, the triangle, that little box with a circle inside? Get your decoder rings ready! This overview gives you the key to decipher what the manufacturer is trying to say. Now you’ll always know just how to wash, dry, and press your clothes. Never be vexed by the hieroglyphs on a care tag again!
Full articleHow to make a circle skirt pattern for full, three-quarter, and half circle skirts and tips for fabrics and effects.
Full articleIt’s common knowledge that silk is made from the snow-white cocoon of the mulberry silk moth. But how do we go from that tightly spun wad to a perfect, endless thread? The secret of silk production was closely guarded by the Chinese court for millennia and those who would talk faced death. Yet it turns out that all you need if you’d like to see how it works, is a cup of warm water...
Full articleThe hall explodes in frenzied activity as brokers rush to buy and sell. Deals are struck. Fortunes are made. But we’re not on Wall Street. And it’s not stocks and bonds trading hands… It’s silkworm cocoons. Welcome to the great cocoon market in Karnataka, where our Indian silks begin their journey to you.
Full articleCopyright © 2011 - 2024 Sartor Bohemia - All rights reserved
In business since wpj
How to put an item on hold for in-store pickup:
How to order sample swatches of fabric
or