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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 10-02-2006, 03:07 PM (1 of 5)
stered User

Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
question silk matka
does anyone have any advice for working with this fabric. it is beautiful to look at and touch and i want to make a simple jacket Butterick b4401. Can i interface it with fusiknit? Does it shrink when drycleaned. i have been advised not to prewash . any advice is appreciated searose
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-02-2006, 05:13 PM (2 of 5)
Here's a bit on silk care: http://www.srfabrics.com/care/silk.htm And a blurb specific to matka (from same source):
Matka is a heavy weight silk made from very thick yarns. The yarns are obtained from short ends of silk from Mulberry silkworms (Bombyx Mori) and spun by hand without removing the gum (sericin). As such, there are slubs and irregularities that give the fabric a unique character. It looks something like a tweed, but the fibers are all the same color. Matka is Good for suits and jackets, sews easily.
Care: Probably better to dry clean unless you can live with a a lot of shrinkage from handwashing.
Price: Silk Matka: 45" wide, $19.00 to $40.00 per yardMy preference for dealing with silk is to use a sew-in interfacing. Silk takes a barely-warm, dry iron, whereas a fusible interfacing will require a very warm/hot iron and steam or spritz. So, in order to achieve proper fusing, you'd have to both scorch and shrink your beautiful silk.
I like to interface and/or line with like fibers (natural with natural, poly with poly, etc), so a good choice for interfacing, rather than Pellon, etc, would be silk organza, cotton batiste is fine, could line with rayon or with silk--Since it's a breathable fabric, I'd prefer to continue with breathable interfacings and linings.
Andrea
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005
Total posts: 1007
From: searose
Date: 10-02-2006, 05:50 PM (3 of 5)
dear andrea thank you for all the good info. , you have answered all my questions. next stop -purchase some good quality sew - in interfacing and silk lining.
User: searose
Member since: 09-30-2006
Total posts: 45
From: MaryW
Date: 10-02-2006, 05:58 PM (4 of 5)
I would love to see some pictures, it sounds lovely.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: searose
Date: 10-02-2006, 08:15 PM (5 of 5)
thanks Mary i hope it turns out as nice in reality as it is in my mind!!!!!! searose:re:
User: searose
Member since: 09-30-2006
Total posts: 45
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