Silk Weaves

Silk has an array of well-known favorites, and some new and unknown silk weaving developments. We thought we would explore each one below in order to have a clearer understanding of why each weave changes the handle and lustre of Silk so drastically.

Silk Charmeuse

Charmeuse is the most widely recognized of the silk fabrics.

Enticingly lustrous and more versatile than you might think, this elegant weave is easily packable and naturally breathable, ideal for skirts, dresses, evening wear, pajamas, nightgowns, and lingerie.

Silk Twill

100% silk twill is the most hard-wearing of silk fabrics.

A light to medium weight fabric, silk twill has a pronounced 2/2 twill structure that adds an extra dimension to designs or images that are printed onto it.

The structured matt surface of the fabric lends very well to our digital printing techniques, and our high-quality silk fabric base means that bright, vivid and strong colours are easily achievable.

Silk twill is the ideal fabric for achieving single-sided effect prints and a great base for apparel items such as shirts, dresses and skirts. It is also a very popular choice of fabric bases for printed scarves and headscarves, where the surface effect of the fabric brings added interest to the printed designs.

The weight and structure of the fabric also make it a favourite choice for our printed ties, allowing crisp sharp prints of your logo, company brand or designs.

Silk Crepe de Chine

The matte surface and "pebbled" texture of this graceful fabric reflect individual pinpoints of light, giving it wonderful chromatic depth and striking eye-appeal.

This luxurious silk has the additional virtues of great durability and excellent wrinkle resistance.

Lightweight with a pleasing drape, designers choose it among silk fabrics for elegant blouses, dresses, and eveningwear.

Dupioni

This shimmering & lustrous silk is woven from two different cocoons that have nestled together.

Also spelled douppioni or dupion, the name is actually a corruption of the Italian “duplicato”, meaning “duplicate.” The slightly tangled cocoons cause the resulting silk to seemingly change its hue in different lights.

It takes dye easily, and so it’s usually produced in bright shades, enhancing its beautiful iridescence. It has a moderately crisp drape, subtle luster, and a slightly pebbled texture, though not so much as crepe de Chine. Produced in mid- to lightweights, look for it in fine suits, dresses, tops, and more.

Herringbone

A traditional woven twill characterized by an arrowhead pattern that resembles the skeleton of a herring, thus the name.

Usually woolen but created in pure silk for its utter luxury & sumptuous feel. Look for classic shirts, pants, and blazers created in this unique fabric.

High-Twist Silk

Not really a silk fabric. Instead, it refers to the twisting of silk yarn, which yields a superior feel and magnificent wearing qualities, making it the designer’s choice for luxurious, feminine, and dare we say sexy creations.

Made of the strongest, most durable kind of yarn, it’s often found in premium quality casual clothes, and underthings. Here’s the difference: Regular yarn is made by twisting two or more threads of silk together, about two turns per centimeter. High-twist yarn is created similarly, but instead of two turns per centimeter, between four and eight turns are made.

Interlock Silk

Interlock is a superior way of constructing silk threads. Two plies are knit simultaneously to form a single, thicker, heavier ply.

The result is more natural elasticity and a very soft feel inside & out. Expect to find interlock knit silk in finer apparel.

Jacquards

A system of weaving that uses a highly versatile patterning mechanism, allowing for the creation of large intricate designs.

Fashion designers love silk jacquards for their skirt, jacket, and eveningwear creations. Interior decorators greatly prize them for sheets, pillowcases, and throws.

Matka

The distinctive irregular finish of this heavyweight fabric is achieved by hand spinning the short ends of silk filament into a thick yarn—without first removing the natural gum from it, which is otherwise typically done. It has an almost tweedy appearance. Perfect for suits, jackets, and blazers.

Modal Knits

Often described as buttery-soft, modal is one of our favorites to add to silk or cotton for an truly sumptuous feel. This do-it-all knit is also surprisingly resilient and inherently colorfast so you can enjoy its soft-as-silk feel for years to come.

Noil

Called “raw silk” by some, noil is particularly distinguished for the subtle flecks that are actually particles from the silkworm’s cocoon.

A muted sheen gives the fabric its elegant patina. Noil resists wrinkles and travels well, making it an excellent choice for knit sweaters. When woven, noil is a favorite for suits, jackets, and slacks. It has a casual feel with natural elasticity—better than linen and without the wrinkles.

Sateen

A sateen finish is created when threads are woven 4 over, 1 under, so more threads are on the surface of the fabric. The result is an extremely soft, smooth feel with beautiful luster.

Shantung

Named for the Chinese province where it originated. Similar to dupioni, but featuring a more irregular and textured surface.

Silk Faille

The distinctive ribbing of this handsome silk is created by weaving a thicker yarn into the fabric at set intervals. It has a subdued sheen, drapes beautifully, and readily holds a crease, making it preferred for dressy apparel that’s tailored, pleated, or otherwise "fashion forward".

Silk chiffon

Silk chiffon, from the French word for cloth, is an elegant, sheer fabric with a soft, beautiful drape, slight stretch, and crepe-like texture, due to pronounced twisting of the silk yarns during the manufacturing process.

The shimmering appearance, for which silk is prized, comes from the individual fiber's triangular prism-like structure, which allows silk cloth to reflect incoming light at different angles.

Silk chiffon fabric's fine absorbency makes it supremely comfortable in warm weather and while active, and its low conductivity keeps warm air close to your skin when the temperatures drop.

The fabric has a slight see-through quality, and is piece-dyed or piece-printed and may be given either a soft or stiff finish.

The material wears well and is surprisingly durable despite its light weight. Chiffon can often be found in elegant evening dresses and formal wear, often as an overlay, and also works well in scarves, blouses and accessories.

The delicate nature of chiffon does require some extra garment-making care. Cutting, for instance, is best done by first laying out the fabric on tissue paper and then pinning it to the paper, to allow layers to be cut as one. The fabric is susceptible to fraying as well, and should be hand washed when able.

Silk Georgette

Silk georgette is most beloved for its flattering drape and light-as-air look. The twisted threads of this weave create a fluid effect making it an instant favorite for eveningwear, dresses, and printed top layers.

Silk Habutai

Lighter and softer than you'd imagine, silk habutai floats about the figure with flattering ease and the gentlest luster. Its soft feel and inherent beauty is right at home in skirts and tops from casual to dressy.

Silk Piqué

A knit silk fabric with a waffle or diamond-shaped pattern. Piqué knits gained international notoriety when René Lacoste, a 1920s French tennis champion, designed the polo shirt—albeit his was mere cotton!

Silk Terry

Terry is commonly made of cotton woven into an uncut looped pile—a versatile fabrication renowned for its softness & absorbency.

Adding pure silk yields an extraordinarily soft & luxurious fabric that's ideal for premium sportswear and "dressy casual" apparel.

Silk Mesh

A loosely woven fabric with many closely spaced holes, mesh is incredibly breathable and forms closely to the body, making it ideal for chemises, intimates, and as a soft lining for jackets or robes.

 

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