Guide to Different Types of Silk

Pongee Silk Fabric

The most common form of pongee fabric is the naturally colored light-weight silk-like, plain weave fabric usually with a slubbed effect—Plain & Weave in lightweight, ideal for salt effects or blending of colors. The thinner weight flows nicely and is airy. Works well with Gutta/Resist, perfect weight for microwave scarf dyeing. Works well with dyes(Procion H) and silk paint(Liquid Colours) are the pongee fabric characteristics.

Crepe de Chine Fabric

Slightly crinkled textured silk has a gentle & lovely drape and feels, soft hand felt. CDC silk is available in several weights, white and black. Because of the texture, the sheen on this kind of silk is more subtle and is great for making nicer, higher-end clothing and scarves.

Silk Habotai Fabrics

Well known as “china silk”, it is a classic silk fabric used in all kinds of projects. Even weave silk that is still light enough but durable. This silk fabric has a soft and supple hand and a lustrous sheen. Perfect for beginners and students as it is economical and has a smooth surface great for scarves, pillows, linings, banners, flags, etc. Perfect weight for using Gutta/Resist as the silk will not be as easy to snag and damage the efforts to paint.

Charmeuse Fabrics

The “Ferrari” of silks, known as crepe back silk satin, charmeuse has softly muted crepe on one side and the shiny shimmery satin on the other. Available in several weights, white and black, and now colored. They all have the same supple hand, and luxurious drape and they dye beautifully. The ultimate in fine silk. The colors are really popular.

Stretch Silk Charmeuse has the same sheen and softness but with a 5% addition of spandex to make it a little stretchy and even more comfortable for clothing.

Silk Chiffon Fabrics

Chiffon silk is elegant, sheer fabric with a soft, beautiful drape and a crepe-like texture. It is light and flowing, stronger and heavier than silk gauze, and suited for painting free-flowing and blended colors. We have silk chiffon in three weights and three widths. Available in 8mm, 10mm, and 16mm. Silk chiffon dyes and paints beautifully.

Twill Silk

Noticeably a step up in weight over habotai silk, the weave has a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. Ideally for shawls, men’s scarves, or wraps. Heavier so more care must be taken when applying/gutta/resist assuring penetration.

Organza

A kind of crispy silk mostly used for wedding & evening dress; 5mm, 8mm &10mm is always in stock.

Silk Georgette Fabric

Silk georgette fabric called GGT fabric is sheer and lightweight. Silk georgette (GGT) fabric is plain or tabby woven, and, like other crepes, is made with highly twisted yarns. Its characteristic crinkly surface is created by alternating S- and Z-twist yarns in both warp and weft.

Silk GGT fabric (Georgette) is made in solid colors and prints and is used for blouses, dresses, evening gowns, and trimmings. It is springier and less lustrous than the closely related chiffon.

Silk Crinkle Fabric

Silk crinkle fabric is the crinkled surface of the chiffon fabric family and it is the most commonly used in evening wear and dress, especially as an overlay, for giving an elegant and floating appearance to the gown. Silk crinkle chiffon fabric can be dyed to almost any shade. Due to this delicate nature, silk crinkle chiffon fabric must be hand washed very gently, or dry washed preferred.

Since silk crinkle chiffon fabric is a lightweight fabric that frays very easily, bound or French seams must be used to stop the fabric from fraying. Silk crinkle fabric is smoother and more lustrous than the similar silk fabric georgette. It is also a popular fabric used in blouses, ribbons, scarves, and lingerie.