Types of Silk Fabric TYPES OF SILK FABRIC The finest silk fibers, and most of what we use today, are produced by "cultivated" silkworms grown in a controlled environment. The worms are fed a diet of mulberry leaves and increase their body size 10,000 times in their short life span. Once the cocoon is spun and before the worm hatches through the silk into a moth, the cocoon is soaked in hot water then unraveled, producing filaments that can be up to a mile long in size. The raw silk is then processed to remove the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fibers and causes them to stick to each other as the cocoon was spun. Silk is a protein fiber, similar to wool or to human hair. It is only natural for silks to have some irregularities  sometimes called "slubs". This is the nature of the 100% silk fabric. Silk that has been processed can be woven or knit into a variety of fabrics. Silk will shrink, so if you are using it to construct clothing, be sure to preshrink it.

Silk often has a wonderful feel, (referred to as a "hand"), and an almost iridescent sheen that makes us think of luxury. The weight of silk is shown as "mm"  pronounced "mommy"  and varies within the different types of silk. The following list of various types of silk may help you understand some of the qualities of each: Chiffon Often the lightest weight and most diaphanous of the silks, Chiffon is also the most see-through. It creates the "billows" of fabric that add dimension to garments, but generally requires some kind of lining or backing unless it's used for scarves. China Silk China silk is a lightweight, sheer, plain-weave fabric. It's sometimes referred to as habutai, or habotai, or pongee. It is one of the less expensive and more commonly available silk fabrics. Habotai can often be found as light as 5 mm and as heavy as 12 mm. Most of our scarves are made of 8 mm Habotai. When purchasing for clothing construction, or purchasing ready-made clothing, this fabric is not recommended for fitted garment styles because the seams will tear from the stress.

Crepe de Chine Crepe de chine is a lightweight fabric made by twisting some fibers clockwise and others counterclockwise. The twisted fibers are then woven in a plain-weave fabric, but it's the twisted fibers, not the weave, that gives crepe its distinctive "pebbly" look and feel rather than a shiny luster. Both sides of the fabric look and feel the same. Our drawstring pouches and some of our larger scarves are made of Crepe de Chine, often in the 12mm to 15mm range. When purchasing ready-made clothing or considering this fabric for sewing, avoid using it in tailored styles because the fabric is too soft to hold a structured shape. Crepe de chine doesn't ravel as easily as other silk fabrics, but it will tear if not handled gently. Charmeuse Generally, when we think of traditional silk, this is the fabric we have in mind. The back of the fabric is a flattened crepe while the front is a shimmery satin weave. Charmeuse has even more drape than crepe de chine and works well for scarves, blouses and lingerie. Occasionally we will offer scarves in Charmeuse.

Jacquard Jacquard silks offer various woven patterns, using matte and reflective threads to create a light and dark effect in the fabric. This effect is similar to brocade, although the Jacquard is originally created in one color. These are generally heavier weight and more densely woven. Patterns are often florals and paisleys. This added dimension (pattern) makes this fabric perfect for abstract for free-form dyeing. Our Envelope Pouches are made from Jacquard, as are some of our Cell Phone and Glass Cases. Douppioni Douppioni is a plain-weave fabric with slubbed ribs. It has a stiff, taffeta-like hand and is usually dyed in bright colors. Douppioni is often made into elegant evening gowns or semi-fitted vests and garments. But make sure the style isn't too fitted, because the fabric doesn't stand up well to stress and ravels easily. It's often recommended that douppioni be drycleaned to resist abrasions. However, as with most silk, you can generally wash douppioni with positive results. Just be sure to serge the raw edges first to prevent raveling.

Washing will make the fabric lose some of its stiffness, which may be your preference, and the color will soften as the excess dye is washed away. Noil Silk noil is made from the short fibers left after combing and carding so it doesn't shine like many other silk fabrics. Noil looks similar to cotton, but has the soft feel of silk against the skin. It also drapes better than cotton and resists wrinkling, so it's the perfect choice when traveling. It can be machine washed on gentle and dried on low, but this will cause a faded, "weathered" look. If you prefer bright colors, dry-clean or hand wash. Raw silk Raw silk is any silk yarn or fabric that hasn't had the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fiber - removed. The fabric is stiff and dull and the sericin tends to attract dirt and odors. Tussah Tussah silk, often called shantung, is made from the cocoons of wild tussah silk worms who eat oak and juniper leaves  their "natural" food.

Because the worm isn't grown in a controlled environment, the moth hatches from the cocoon thus interrupting the filament length and making the fibers short and coarse instead of long and lustrous. Tussah silk is difficult to dye and to most often available in its natural color, a creamy tan. Because of its irregular slubs and the fact that it ravels easily, tussah should be dry-cleaned. It is a good choice for traveling as it doesn't wrinkle easily. Shantung Once made from hand-reeled tussah silk, today's shantung is usually made with cultivated silk warp yarns and heavier douppioni filling yarns. Depending on the filling yarn, shantung may be lustrous or dull. It has a firm, semi-crisp hand and tends to ravel, so avoid close-fitting styles. Silk Fabric Buying Guide Silk Solid Colors Silk Fabric Buying Guide - TheSilkFabric.com - where you can meet all about silk fabric, silk solid color and silk printed textile design Silk fabric's absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather.

It is often used for clothing such as shirts, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, lingerie, pajamas, robes, dress suits, sun dresses and evening dresses. We would like to share the valuable information in silk fabric that we have gathered while working on our silk dress projects. We have seen many young talented fashion designers and do it yourself users are struggling to find right fabrications for their works. We have seen many of them even do not know how these gorgeous silk fabrics cannot be compared with those cheap synthetic versions. Silk Fabric Type The finest silk fibers, and most of what we use today, are produced by "cultivated" silkworms grown in a controlled environment. The worms are fed a diet of mulberry leaves and increase their body size 10,000 times in their short life span. Once the cocoon is spun and before the worm hatches through the silk into a moth, the cocoon is soaked in hot water then unraveled, producing filaments that can be up to a mile long in size. The raw silk is then processed to remove the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fibers and causes them to stick to each other as the cocoon was spun.

Silk is a protein fiber, similar to wool or to human hair. It is only natural for silks to have some irregularities – sometimes called "slubs". This is the nature of the 100% silk fabric. Silk that has been processed can be woven or knit into a variety of fabrics. Silk will shrink, so if you are using it to construct clothing, be sure to preshrink it. Silk often has a wonderful feel, (referred to as a "hand"), and an almost iridescent sheen that makes us think of luxury. The weight of silk is shown as "mm" – pronounced "mommy" – and varies within the different types of silk. The following list of various types of silk may help you understand some of the qualities of each: Silk Chiffon Fabric Often the lightest weight and most diaphanous of the silks, silk chiffon is also the most see-through. It creates the "billows" of fabric that add dimension to garments, but generally requires some kind of lining or backing unless it's used for scarves. Silk Habotai Fabric (china silk) Silk habotai is a lightweight, sheer, plain-weave fabric.

It's sometimes referred to as habutai, or habotai, or pongee. It is one of the less expensive and more commonly available silk fabrics. Silk habotai can often be found as light as 5 mm and as heavy as 12 mm. Most of our scarves are made of 8 mm Habotai. When purchasing for clothing construction, or purchasing ready-made clothing, this fabric is not recommended for fitted garment styles because the seams will tear from the stress. Silk CDC Fabric (Silk Crepe de Chine) Silk Crepe de Chine or silk cdc is a lightweight fabric made by twisting some fibers clockwise and others counterclockwise. The twisted fibers are then woven in a plain-weave fabric, but it's the twisted fibers, not the weave, that gives crepe its distinctive "pebbly" look and feel rather than a shiny luster. Both sides of the fabric look and feel the same. Many scarves are made of Silk Crepe de Chine, often in the 12mm to 16mm range. When purchasing ready-made clothing or considering this fabric for sewing, avoid using it in tailored styles because the fabric is too soft to hold a structured shape.

Silk Crepe de Chine doesn't ravel as easily as other silk fabrics, but it will tear if not handled gently. Silk Charmeuse Fabric Generally, when we think of traditional silk fabric, this is the fabric we have in mind. The back of the fabric is a flattened crepe while the front is a shimmery satin weave. Silk charmeuse has even more drape than crepe de chine and works well for scarves, blouses and lingerie. Occasionally we will offer scarves in silk charmeuse. Silk Jacquard Fabric Silk Jacquard silks offer various woven patterns, using matte and reflective threads to create a light and dark effect in the fabric. This effect is similar to brocade, although the Jacquard is originally created in one color. These are generally heavier weight and more densely woven. Patterns are often florals and paisleys. This added dimension (pattern) makes this fabric perfect for abstract for free-form dyeing. Many Envelope Pouches are made from Jacquard, as are some of our Cell Phone and Glass Cases. Silk Dupioni Fabric (Silk Shantung) Silk dupioni is a plain-weave fabric with slubbed ribs.

It has a stiff, taffeta-like hand and is usually dyed in bright colors. Silk dupioni is often made into elegant evening gowns or semi-fitted vests and garments. But make sure the style isn't too fitted, because the fabric doesn't stand up well to stress and ravels easily. It's often recommended that dupioni be drycleaned to resist abrasions. However, as with most silk, you can generally wash dupioni with positive results. Just be sure to serge the raw edges first to prevent raveling. Washing will make the fabric lose some of its stiffness, which may be your preference, and the color will soften as the excess dye is washed away. Silk Noil Fabric Silk noil is made from the short fibers left after combing and carding so it doesn't shine like many other silk fabrics. Noil looks similar to cotton, but has the soft feel of silk against the skin. It also drapes better than cotton and resists wrinkling, so it's the perfect choice when traveling. It can be machine washed on gentle and dried on low, but this will cause a faded, "weathered" look. If you prefer bright colors, dry-clean or hand wash.

Silk Cotton Voile Fabric Silk cotton voile is a soft, sheer fabric, usually made of silk yarn and cotton yarn blends. The term comes from French, and means veil. Because of its light weight, the fabric is mostly used in soft furnishing. Full-length curtains in hot countries are made with voile and used as window treatments and light weighted top blouse. Silk cotton voiles are available in a range of patterns and colors. Silk cotton voile fabric is used in dress-making, either in multiple layers or laid over a second material. Voile is very similar to silk chiffon, which is also used in dress-making but not much sheer as silk chiffon. Silk Stretch Fabric (silk span) Silk stretch fabric has all the softness and bright luster of silk fabric, but with spandex added for superior stretch and comfortable movement. Usually it contains 90% ~ 95% silk with 5% ~ 10% spandex portions. Silk stretch fabric usually comes silk stretch charmeuse, silk stretch cdc, silk stretch ggt, silk stretch chiffon and silk stretch 4-ply.

Raw Silk Fabric Raw silk is any silk yarn or fabric that hasn't had the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fiber - removed. The fabric is stiff and dull and the sericin tends to attract dirt and odors. Colors / Printed / Where to get it? Looking for silk solid colors? Introducing the most popular silk solid colors. More than 100 colors are available to cut it out right a way. Looking for silk printed fabrics? Introducing textile design types and silk printed fabrics, more than 1,000 patterns ready to cut it out. Where to buy it? Introducing the best silk providers who have in stocks. They already dyed and printed for the stocks, ready to go! Silk network Caring for Silk Silk is protein fiber, more similar to wool than to cotton. It is very similar to human hair. Some silk yardage and clothing can he hand washed if done carefully. For best results use a mild detergent (like Woolite, or even shampoo) and lukewarm water, then roll the fabric in a towel to absorb the water. Do not twist – just as you wouldn't twist or pull your hair.

Silk Fabric Types: Glossary of Fabric Terms - Fabric - Store A manufactured fiber, its major properties include a soft, wool-like hand, machine washable and dryable and excellent color retention. Alpaca A natural hair fiber obtained from the Alpaca sheep, a domesticated member of the llama family. Angora The hair of the Angora goat. Also known as Angora mohair. Angora may also apply to the fur of the Angora rabbit. Antique Satin A reversible satin-weave fabric with satin floats on the technical face and surface slubs on the technical back created by using slub-filling yarns. It is usually used with the technical back as the right side for drapery fabrics and often made of a blend of fibers. Batik A method of dyeing fabric where some areas are covered with wax or pastes made of glues or starches to make designs by keeping dyes from penetrating in pattern areas. Multicolored and blended effects are obtained by repeating the dyeing process several times, with the initial pattern of wax boiled off and another design applied before dyeing again in a new color. A lightweight, plain weave fabric, semi-sheer and usually made of cotton or cotton blends.

Appropriate for heirloom sewing, baby clothes and lingerie. Bedford Cord A cord cotton-like fabric with raised ridges in the lengthwise direction. Since the fabric has a high strength and a high durability, it is often used for upholstery and work clothes. A fabric with a crosswise rib made from textile fibers (as rayon, nylon, cotton, or wool) often in combination. Boiled Wool Felted knitted wool, it offers the flexibility of a knit with great warmth. Create your own by washing double the needed amount of 100% wool jersey in hot water and drying in a hot dryer. Expect 50% shrinkage. Appropriate for jackets, vests and stuffed animals. Blackout A type of fabric that is commonly used for drapery, this fabric has the distinctive quality of blocking light, and comes in two forms: 2-pass and 3-pass. Two-pass has two “passes” of foam on a fabric, which means the black layer of foam will be visible. 3-pass has two layers of white and one layer of black foam. Three-pass can also be used as an upholstery fabric, as the black layer is not visible. Blackout fabrics can also be insulating and noise-dampening.

Buckram A very stiff cotton fabric that is been soaked in a substance to fill in the gaps between the fibers. The fiber is usually cotton and is finished with starch and resin. Buckram fabric is most commonly used as the supporting material inside of baseball caps. It is also used in lady's hats, costumes, belts, and handbags. A loosely constructed, heavy weight, plain weave fabric. It has a rough hand. Appropriate for draperies and decorative items. Burn-out Velvet Created from two different fibers, the velvet is removed with chemicals in a pattern leaving the backing fabric intact. Appropriate for more unconstructed and loosely fit garments. Chenille The French word for caterpillar, this soft fabric is created by placing short pieces of yarns between core yarns and twisting the yarn together to make a fabric. This fabric is commonly used for baby items and in home décor fabrics. Chantilly lace This lace has a net background, and the pattern is created by embroidering with thread and ribbon to create floral designs. The pattern has areas of design that are very dense, and the pattern is often outlined with heavier cords or threads.

Charm Quilt A quilt made of many, many small patches (traditionally 2" or so) where each piece is a different fabric. The pattern is usually a one-patch design and often involves swaps and trades with friends to gather many fabrics. Charmuese A luxurious, supple silky fabric with a shiny satin face and a dull back. Generally either silk, rayon ,or polyester. Suitable for blouses, fuller pants and lingerie. Cotton a white vegetable fiber grown in warmer climates in many parts of the world, has been used to produce many types of fabric for hundreds of years. Cotton fabric feels good against the skin regardless of the temperature or the humidity and is therefore in great demand by the consumer. Used to describe all kinds of fabrics--wool, cotton, silk, rayon, synthetics and blends-that have a crinkle, crimped or grained surface. Crepe Charmeuse A smooth, soft luster fabric of grenadine silk warp and filling, with latter given crepe twist. It has the body and drape of satin and is used for dresses and eveningwear. Crepe de Chine Silk crepe de chine has a slightly crinkly surface create with highly twisted fibers.

It comes in three weights: 2 ply, appropriate for blouses and lingerie; 3 ply, appropriate for dresses, fuller pants and dresses; and 4 ply, most luxurious and best for trousers and jackets. Crepe-back Satin A satin fabric in which highly twisted yarns are used in the filling direction. The floating yarns are made with low twist and may be of either high or low luster. If the crepe effect is the right side of the fabric, the fabric is called satin-back crepe. Crewel A true crewel fabric is embroidered with crewel yarn (a loosely twisted, two-ply wool) on a plain weave fabric. Traditional crewel fabrics are hand-woven and embroidered in India. The design motif for crewel work is typically outlines of flowers, vines, and leaves, in one or many colors. Modern weaving technology and inventive designers create traditional "crewel" looks with weave effects alone, without the use of embroidery. Crocheted Denim A twill weave cotton fabric made with different colored yarns in the warp and the weft. Due to the twill construction, one color predominates on the fabric surface. Suitable for pants, jackets and skirts.

Pre-wash and dry 100% cotton denim at least twice to eliminate shrinkage and color bleeding. Dimity A lightweight and sheer cotton fabric that features a raised texture. Usually seen in light colors, but occasionally printed as well. Dimity fabric is commonly used in window treatments, draperies, and heirloom projects. A decorative weave, characterized by small figures, usually geometric, that are woven into the fabric structure. Doeskin Generally applied to fabric with a low nap that is brushed in one direction to create a soft suede-like hand on the fabric front. Great for tops, pants and fuller skirts. A lightweight, sheer cotton or cotton blend fabric with a small dot flock-like pattern either printed on the surface of the fabric, or woven into the fabric. End-uses for this fabric include blouses, dresses, baby clothes, and curtains. Double Cloth A fabric construction, in which two fabrics are woven on the loom at the same time, one on top of the other. In the weaving process, the two layers of woven fabric are held together using binder threads. The woven patterns in each layer of fabric can be similar or completely different. A weft knit fabric in which two layers of loops are formed that cannot be separated.

A double knit machine, which has two complete sets of needles, is required for this construction. Double Rub Double rubs measure a fabric’s abrasion resistance, determined by the Wyzenbeek test. Each “rub” is one back and forth pass over a stretched piece of fabric by a mechanical arm. The test is run until the fabric shows noticeable wear. Consider the double rub count when purchasing upholstery fabric for a high-traffic area in your home. Drill Strong, medium- to heavyweight, warp-faced, twill-weave fabric. It is usually a 2/1 left-handed twill and piece dyed. A sheer, open-weave fabric usually cotton or silk. It is suitable for blouses, dresses and curtains. Georgette A drapey woven fabric created from highly twisted yarns creating a pebbly texture. It is semi-sheer and suitable for blouses, full pants and flowing dresses. A medium weight, plain weave fabric with a plaid or check pattern. End-uses include dresses, shirts, and curtains. Gossamer Very soft, gauzelike veiling originally of silk. Grois Point A fabric which features large points of yarn on the surface of the fabric.

Grosgrain A tightly woven, firm, warp-faced fabric with heavy, round filling ribs created by a high-warp count and coarse filling yarns. Grosgrain can be woven as a narrow-ribbon or a fullwidth fabric. A fabric, usually handwoven which has been tie-dyed in the yarns prior to weaving. The pattern can range from simple little dots to intricate double ikats. Interlining An insulation, padding, or stiffening fabric, either sewn to the wrong side of the lining or the inner side of the outer shell fabric. The interlining is used primarily to provide warmth in coats, jackets, and outerwear. Also known as T-shirt knit. It usually has stretch across the grain. Great for tops, skirts and lightweight pants. Irish Poplin There are two types of Irish poplin: (1) Originally a fabric constructed with silk warp and wool filling in plain weave with fine rib. (2) Fine linen or cotton shirting also made in Ireland. Sometimes used for neckwear. Knit Fabric Fabrics made from only one set of yarns, all running in the same direction.

Some knits have their yarns running along the length of the fabric, while others have their yarns running across the width of the fabric. Knit fabrics are held together by looping the yarns around each other. Knitting creates ridges in the resulting fabric. Wales are the ridges that run lengthwise in the fabric; courses run crosswise. Knit-de-knit A type of yarn texturizing in which a crimped yarn is made by knitting the yarn into a fabric, and then heat-setting the fabric. The yarn is then unraveled from the fabric and used in this permanently crinkled form. Napped Napped fabric has a surface texture with an added visual appeal, and is frequently featured in flannel, corduroy, velvet, and satin. The napped texture creates soft, heavy, and warm qualities, making it perfect for shirting, sleepwear, and baby blankets. Double napped fabrics are brushed on both sides, while single-napped is only brushed on one side. When sewing with fabrics with a distinct nap, be sure to allow for extra fabric, and lay all of your pattern pieces going in the same direction.

Refers to any open-construction fabric whether it is created by weaving, knitting, knotting, or another method. Noil Noil is a short fiber that is left over when combing longer fibers during textile production. Silk noil fabric is created from taking the leftover noils from spinning silk to create an overall raw silk fabric that features a gentle drape, slightly nubby, uneven texture, and dull surface. Noil fabric is perfect for creating loose-fitting jackets, skirts, dresses, and home décor accents. Ottoman A heavy, plain weave fabric with wide, flat crosswise ribs that are larger and higher than in faille. It sometimes comes with alternating narrow and wide ribs. When made of narrow ribs only, it is called soleil. Warp may be silk or manmade fiber; filling may be cotton, silk, wool, or manmade fiber. Used for dress coats, suits, and trimmings. Outdoor Outdoor fabric is used to recover cushions, pillows, create awnings, and more for spaces exposed to nature’s elements like the sun and rain. Created with polyester or acrylic fibers, outdoor fabric is durable, soil and stain resistant, and can be cleaned by wiping with a damp rag.

Panel A panel is a cotton print that can be used for anything from quilt projects to aprons, doll clothes, or soft books. Most commonly used in quilting, panels feature a large design that is often featured in the center of a quilt, making it perfect for themed projects. Some panels also feature instructions and cut-outs for projects like an apron or book. Panné Satin Lightweight silk or manmade fiber satin fabric with very high luster achieved with aid of heavy roll pressure. Crushes easily. Used for eveningwear. Panné Velvet A lustrous, lightweight velvet fabric, in which the pile has been flattened in one direction. Has good stretch across the grain. Appropriate for tops and dresses. A soft fabric with a brushed texture similar to the skin of a peach on one side, with a good amount of drape. Peachskin is often used to create blouses, skirts, and dresses with a lining. Peau de Soie A heavy twill weave drapeable satin fabric, made of silk or a manufactured fiber, and used for bridal gowns and eveningwear.

Pima Cotton A type of cotton plant developed in the Southwestern USA from a cross between Egyptian and Uplands cotton which is longer in fiber length and more lustrous than most American cottons. It is used to weave some of the popular quilting fabrics which have a silk-like hand. Plissé A lightweight, plain weave, fabric, made from cotton, rayon, or acetate, and characterized by a puckered striped effect, usually in the warp direction. The crinkled effect is created through the application of a caustic soda solution, which shrinks the fabric in the areas of the fabric where it is applied. Plissé is similar in appearance to seersucker. End-uses include dresses, shirtings, pajamas, and bedspreads. Plush A compactly woven fabric with warp pile higher than that of velvet. Made of cotton, wool, silk, or manmade fiber, often woven as double face fabric and then sheared apart. Higher pile gives bristly texture. Usually piece-dyed but may be printed. Used for coats, upholstery. Pointelle Unclipped, looped pile, 100% cotton terry cloth is highly absorbent.

French Terry has a looped reverse and a knit-like face. Ticking A variety of fabrics are known as "ticking." The main weave is a closely-woven, thick yarn twill. Spaced, colored, and natural or white yarns repeated in the warp, and all natural or white in the filling, forming a stripe. Several color combinations used, as blue and white, brown and white, red and white. Heavy warp-face sateens as well as heavy sheetings are printed and sold as ticking. Jacquard damask ticking woven in damask effects also sold for this purpose as well as other fabrics, such as drills. Toile A type of decorating pattern consisting of a white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (for example) a couple having a picnic by a lake. The pattern portion consists of a single colour, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens and magenta toile patterns are less common but not unheard of. Wool is naturally stain and wrinkle resistant. It can absorb up to 40% of it’s weight in moisture without feeling damp.

Wool comes in many forms including crepe, challis, gabardine, merino, melton, jersey and worsted wool suitings. Wool Crepe A lightweight worsted fabric with a more or less crinkly appearance, obtained by using warp yarns that are tightly twisted in alternate directions. The term is often applied to lightweight worsted fabrics for women's wear that have little or no crepe surface. Woven Fabric Fabrics composed of two sets of yarns. One set of yarns, the warp, runs along the length of the fabric. The other set of yarns, the fill or weft, is perpendicular to the warp. Woven fabrics are held together by weaving the warp and the fill yarns over and under each other. Glossary of Silk Fabric and Weaves | Fabrics.net Fabrics.net Glossary of Silk Fabric and Weaves Different types of Silk Fabric Brocade is a jacquard weave with an embossed effect and contrasting surfaces. Can also be woven with synthetic or man-made fibers. Canton Crepe is a soft crepe woven fabric with small crosswise ribs. Similar to crepe de chine but heavier. Charmeuse is a satin weave silk fabric with a crepe back.

Chiffon is transparent soft and light silk. Can also be woven of cotton or man-made fibers. China silk is a plain weave silk of various weights. This silk is the “hand” or touch that many people identify as silk. There are various weights of China silk from light, used for linings and many “washable silks” with the wrinkled look, to heavy for shirts and dresses. Doupioni is reeled from double cocoons nested together. The threads are uneven and irregular. Italian Doupioni is the finest, followed by Chinese Doupioni and Indian Doupioni. Doupioni is also seen in man-made fibers such as polyester, acetate and referred to as Doupionini. Silk Doupioni is most often found in men’s and women’s fine suits and also dresses in lighter weight silk Doupioni. Faille is a soft ribbed silk with wider ribs than seen in grosgrain ribbon. Slightly glossy. Georgette is a sheer crepe silk, heavier than chiffon and with a crinkle surface. Matelasse has raised woven designs, usually jacquard, with the appearance of puckered or quilted.

Noil is sportier in appearance and created by short fibers, often from the innermost part of the cocoon. Has the look of hopsack but much softer. Organza is similar to cotton organdy except it is made with silk and is transparent. Peau de Soie is a stout, soft silk with fine cross ribs. Looks slightly corded. Also called paduasoy. Pongee is a plain woven, thin, naturally tan fabric that has a rough weave effect. Poult de soie is sometimes called faille taffeta. It has heavy cross ribs. Silk Shantung is a dupionni type of silk that comes from the Shantung Prov. of China. Silk Broadcloth is a plain weave silk fabric in various weights; crisper than china silk. Often used in shirting. Silk linen has a nubby yarn in a plain weave. Weights range from light to heavy. It is different from Dupion in that the nubby runs both lengthwise and crosswise. The look of linen with the characteristics of linen. Silk satin is a satin weave with a plain back.

Tussah silk (tussah means wild) is a plain weave silk fabric from “wild” silk worms. It has irregular thick and thin yarns creating uneven surface and color. Wild silkworms feed on leaves other than mulberry leaves.Tussah silk is similar to shantung, with silk from the wild. Color is often uneven; usually referred to as “raw” silk. Silk Fabric is also available in other weaves such as velvet and corduroy. Facts About Silk The History of Silk Types of Silk Fabric The finest silk fibers, and most of what we use today are produced by "cultivated" silkworms grown in a controlled environment. The worms are fed a diet of mulberry leaves and increase their body size 10,000 times in their short life span. Once the cocoon is spun and before the worm hatches through the silk into a moth, the cocoon is soaked in hot water then unraveled, producing filaments that can be up to a mile long in size. The raw silk is then processed to remove the sericin - the natural "gum" that protects the fibers and causes them to stick to each other as the cocoon was spun.

Silk is a protein fiber, similar to wool or to human hair. It is only natural for silks to have some irregularities -- sometimes called "slubs". This is the nature of the 100% silk fabric. Silk that has been processed can be woven or knit into a variety of fabrics. Silk will shrink, so if you are using it to construct clothing, be sure to preshrink it. Silk often has a wonderful feel and an almost iridescent sheen that makes us think of luxury. The weight of silk is shown as "mm" (pronounced "mommy") and varies within the different types of silk. The following list of various types of silk may help you understand some of the qualities of each. Chiffon Often the lightest weight and most diaphanous of the silks, Chiffon is also the most see-through. It creates the "billows" of fabric that add dimension to garments, but generally requires some kind of lining or backing unless it's used for scarves. China Silk China silk is a lightweight, sheer, plain-weave fabric. It's sometimes referred to as habutai, or habotai, or pongee.

It is one of the less expensive and more commonly available silk fabrics. Habotai can often be found as light as 5 mm and as heavy as 12 mm. Most of our scarves are made of 8 mm Habotai. When purchasing for clothing construction, or purchasing ready-made clothing, this fabric is not recommended for fitted garment styles because the seams will tear from the stress. Crepe de Chine Crepe de chine is a lightweight fabric made by twisting some fibers clockwise and others counterclockwise. The twisted fibers are then woven in a plain-weave fabric, but it's the twisted fibers, not the weave, that gives crepe its distinctive "pebbly" look and feel rather than a shiny luster. Both sides of the fabric look and feel the same. When purchasing ready-made clothing or considering this fabric for sewing, avoid using it in tailored styles because the fabric is too soft to hold a structured shape. Crepe de chine doesn't ravel as easily as other silk fabrics, but it will tear if not handled gently. Charmeuse Generally, when we think of traditional silk, this is the fabric we have in mind.

The back of the fabric is a flattened crepe while the front is a shimmery satin weave. Charmeuse has even more drape than crepe de chine and works well for scarves, blouses and lingerie. Occasionally we will offer scarves in Charmeuse. Jacquard Jacquard silks offer various woven patterns, using matte and reflective threads to create a light and dark effect in the fabric. This effect is similar to brocade, although the Jacquard is originally created in one color. These are generally heavier weight and more densely woven. Patterns are often florals and paisleys. This added dimension (pattern) makes this fabric perfect for abstract for free-form dyeing. Douppioni Douppioni is a plain-weave fabric with slubbed ribs. It has a stiff, taffeta-like hand and is usually dyed in bright colors. Douppioni is often made into elegant evening gowns or semi-fitted vests and garments. But the style shouldnï¿½t be too fitted, because the fabric doesn't stand up well to stress and ravels easily. It's often recommended that douppioni be dry cleaned to resist abrasions.

However, as with most silk, you can generally wash douppioni with positive results. Just be sure to serge the raw edges first to prevent raveling. Washing will make the fabric lose some of its stiffness, which may be your preference, and the color will soften as the excess dye is washed away. Noil Silk noil is made from the short fibers left after combing and carding so it doesn't shine like many other silk fabrics. Noil looks similar to cotton, but has the soft feel of silk against the skin. It also drapes better than cotton and resists wrinkling, so it's the perfect choice when traveling. It can be machine washed on gentle and dried on low, but this will cause a faded, "weathered" look. If you prefer bright colors, dry-clean or hand wash. Raw Silk Raw silk is any silk yarn or fabric that hasn't had the sericin -- the natural "gum" that protects the fiber -- removed. The fabric is stiff and dull and the sericin tends to attract dirt and odors.

Shantung Once made from hand-reeled tussah silk (see below), today's shantung is usually made with cultivated silk warp yarns and heavier douppioni filling yarns. Depending on the filling yarn, shantung may be lustrous or dull. It has a firm, semi-crisp hand and tends to ravel, so avoid close-fitting styles. Tussah Tussah silk, often called shantung, is made from the cocoons of wild tussah silk worms that eat oak and juniper leaves -- their "natural" food. Because the worm isn't grown in a controlled environment, the moth hatches from the cocoon thus interrupting the filament length and making the fibers short and coarse instead of long and lustrous. Tussah silk is difficult to dye and most often available in its natural color, a creamy tan. Because of its irregular slubs and the fact that it ravels easily, tussah should be dry-cleaned. It is a good choice for traveling as it doesn't wrinkle easily. Copyright 2016 Silk Dupioni And Shantung Fabric view cart Home > Silk Dupioni & Shantung We are moving!

Check out our new website at Get 15% off your first order there with code GRAND15 Silk Dupioni & Shantung Dupioni (sometimes spelled 'douppioni' or 'dupion'), is a lustrous silk often woven from two different colors of threads, so that it shimmers or changes color in the light. Dupioni is made from an irregular, rough silk reeled from double cocoons or cocoons spun side-by-side which are interlocked, making it necessary to reel them together. It has a moderately crisp drape, fairly reflective luster, and a slubby texture. Shantung is similar to dupioni, but usually has less slubs, and is lighter weight. 100% Silk. Silk Fabrics | Fashion Fabrics 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... Berry/Yellow Wavy Stripe Silk Crepe de Chine A very lightweight, luxurious woven silk fabric with a pearlized sheen. This&nbsp;crepe de chine&nbsp;has a smooth hand with excellent drape and fluidity. Semi-sheer, use a lining when opacity is desired.

Suitable for flowing blouses, dresses and linings. Hand wash cold or dry clean.Compare to $30.00/yd A very lightweight, luxurious woven silk fabric with a pearlized sheen. This crepe de chine has a smooth hand with excellent drape and fluidity. Semi-sheer, use a lining when opacity is desired. Suitable for flowing blouses, dresses and linings. Hand wash cold or dry clean.Compare to $30.00/yd [ more ] Item Number: 48664

Question: Charmeuse, Noil and Shantung are all types of which fabric?
Answer: Silk