Chiffon or Silk Chiffon

[Deleted]

Hello Ladies

Me again with another question :-))

I hope to get myself to a fabric store tomorrow or Friday - depends on the pain level.

Must I look at chiffon or silk chiffon?

Please help (yet again!) :-)

Regards

Linn

[Pandagirl]

Some people have luck with polyester chiffon. I have not. If you are going to a fabric store, you may want to ask what the momme (weight) of the silk chiffon. Most likely it will be 8 mm or 12 mm. Some fabric stores may look at you like you're from Mars. You can use the blow test ( blow through and if you can feel it on the other side, it may work.). I've used 8mm sucessfully for Nuno but it is a little extra work. 5 mm or 3 mm is ideal for Nuno depending on what you're making and how much shrinkage and ruching you want. I believe dharmatrading carries colored silks now. www.dharmatrading.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=Silk+chiffon That is 8mm. They also have lighter silks that have to be dyed. I have no idea what shipping would be to South Africa.

Silk habatoi is also a favorite for me to use in Nuno. Again the same weights apply. I've only used 5 mm for that.

Hopefully, your fabric store will have what you want. You may consider buying a small sample to test first. Or check online stores in your country. Good luck Linn! Let us know what you find.

[MTRuth]

I would ask for the lightest weight silk that they have. Marilyn has given some good suggestions. I don't particularly like chiffon but it works if it is light enough weight.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice Marilyn.

The silk chiffon I am looking at (overseas supplier) has a 6 momme.

All of my purchases (doesn't matter from where) are sent to my shipping agents in Florida, USA. I don't trust our postal system at all. Once I have done all my overseas shopping, they consolidate everything and send one box to me - saves me on a lot of shipping costs as I get it at reduced price too.

I will be buying white Margelan silk as well that I will be dyeing - should be fun :-)

But I had some fun plans for printed chiffon of which I can't find anything in my city.

Regards
Linn

[Deleted]

Thanks Ruth - I take all the advice to heart :-)

Regards
Linn

[jwugg]

I love using silk chiffon, especially for lightweight Nuno felted shawls & for soft, light tops ( blouse, vest etc)
Whilst some man made chiffons will felt, they will often be a lot of work, & not so predictable, & can be slippery, whereas a silk chiffon makes nuno felt really easily with pretty, soft ruffles. I also like 8 mm habotai also called China silk. Would love to try Margolan silk.

[Shepherdess]

I use the Dharma 5mm habitoi. I buy a bolt and dye it myself. The dyes they sell are very good, both the acid dye and the fiber reactive dye

[Deleted]

Hello Jill - thank you for putting my mind at rest :-)

Ann - thank you too for your input. I will be importing a small range of the Procion cold water dyes.

Regards
Linn

[elizabeth]

Linn, out of curiosity, where are you getting your Margelan silk?
I've been wanting some.
That shipping aggregator sounds like a wonderful idea. So glad you can do that.

[Deleted]

Hello Elizabeth

On Etsy are a couple of sellers. Search for margilan as well as margelan as some spell it differently.

Here's one USA seller offering 10 yards for $70.00
www.etsy.com/listing/399007573/uzbek-hadmade-silk-margelan-silk-gauze?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=margelan silk fabric&ref=sr_gallery_1

and then Marina in California has already dyed pieces. I can recommend her.
www.etsy.com/shop/GardenFeltbyMarina?ref=l2-shop-info-name

There are many other sellers from the Russia area.

Regards
Linn

[zed]

I've used synthetic chiffon (and synthetic crepe) they worked far better than synthetic habotai which really was too dense and shiny.

[Deleted]

Hi Zed

I have masses of voile that I used as backdrops for my photography. Will try some test pieces as well to see how well and easy it works.

I have only just started my shopping this morning (online) and I guess my box with all the goodies will arrive toward end of September. Still a very very long wait for me!

Regards
Linn

[zed]

I hope it works, Linn

It took me a few years, but I recently started making samples with strips to keep. Usually, I make a sample or experimental piece big enough to make something out of, but then forget how the different fabrics worked! I keep them around for reference now.

[Deleted]

Thanks Zed.

This morning a friend came to visit, wearing a very very colourful long dress that she bought at the local (cheap) Chinese market. The first thing I said was "Let's Nuno that dress!" <LOL>

It felt like Chiffon Silk but I am not sure, but sure has a beautiful printed pattern on it! :-)

Regards
Linn

[halay]

I frequently visit second hand shops and have found lots of nice silk dresses or scarves. Here is one such top I nuno felted from a large silk scarf www.ipernity.com/doc/724735/42895742 I liked the transition from dark to light blue in the fabric. All I did was to make an opening for the neck and the rest I just scrunched on the top of wool.
My stash of silk is slowly growing and waiting for the right inspiration.
As for margelan silk, or chifon I think the best supplier is Wool4Felt from Latvia (Europe) and the prices are really good. Have a look here: www.livemaster.ru/wool4felt?sortitems=0&v=0&from=240