Silk Fabric 101: Supplies for Sewing

Let's talk about the varying types of silks you'll regularly find on the market today and what's appropriate for historical costuming! There's a lot of different textile options and it can quickly end up confusing, so I'm not only going to break down the definition of each, but we'll look at the textile close up, see how it handles, and even sometimes how it makes up into a finished garment! Taffeta -Plain weave -Fine threads -Crisp hand -Light to Mid weight Dupioni or Shantung -Plain weave -Slubby threads -Crisp hand -Light to Mid weight Noil or Matka -Plain weave -Rough threads -Soft hand -Mid weight Crepe de Chine -Crepe weave -Fine threads, tight alternating spins -Soft hand -Light to Mid weight Charmeuse -Crepe and Satin weave -Fine threads -Soft hand -Light weight Crepe Back Satin -Crepe and Satin weave -Fine threads -Soft hand -Mid weight Duchesse Satin -Plain and Satin weave -Fine threads -Crisp hand -Mid weight Double Faced Satin -Satin weave -Fine threads -Heavy hand, mid crisp -Heavy weight China Silk or Habatoi -Plain weave -Fine threads -Crisp hand -Light weight almost sheer Gauze -Leno weave -Very fine threads -Mid crisp hand -Very light weight sheer Chiffon -Crepe weave -Fine threads -Soft hand -Very light weight sheer Georgette -Crepe weave -Fine threads (multiple ply) -Soft hand -Light weight semi sheer Organza -Plain weave -Fine threads -Crisp hand -Light weight sheer Faille or Corded -Plain uneven weave -Fine and Heavy threads -Crisp hand -Heavy weight Moire or Watered -Plain weave -Fine thread (sometimes fine cord) -Crisp hand -Mid to Heavy weight Jacquard -Mixed weave (satin, corded, plain) -Fine thread -Crisp or Soft hand -Any weight -Reversible Damask -Mixed weave (satin, corded, plain) -Fine thread -Crisp hand -Mid weight -Reversible Brocade -Mixed weave (satin, plain) -Fine thread -Crisp hand -Mid weight -Not reversible Ikat -Plain weave -Fine to mid thread -Crisp hand -Light to mid weight -Warp dyed Tulle -Net weave -Very fine thread -Crisp or soft hand -Light weight sheer Velvet -Added pile weave -Mid weight thread -Soft or hard hand -Mid to Heavy weight -Often Rayon or Cotton mix Jersey -Knit weave -Light weight thread -Soft hand -Light to Mid weight Art Silk -Rayon fibers -sometimes "Mulberry Silk" is also used, though this can be real (check the price) A (small) few of my favorite silk sources: https://www.renaissancefabrics.net/ https://burnleyandtrowbridge.com/ https://www.dharmatrading.com/ https://prismsilks.com/ https://www.silkbaron.com/ 00:00 Introduction 06:23 Plain weave (Taffeta, Dupioni, Shantung, Noil, Matka) 11:13 Crepe weave (Crepe de Chine) 13:54 Satin weave (Charmeuse, Crepe Back Satin, Duchesse Satin, Double Faced Satin) 17:20 Sheers (China Silk, Habatoi, Leno weave, Gauze, Chiffon, Georgette, Organza) 21:26 Special weaves (Faille, Moire, Jacquard, Damask, Brocade) 27:28 Miscellaneous (Ikat, Tulle, Velvet, Jersey, Art Silk)