silk dupion(i)

In Inspirations, issue #15, there's a design, Taking Tea, that uses silk dupioni for the ground. I know I can order it online but would prefer to buy something locally. I've got a Joanne's and Hancock's nearby but don't have a clue what to ask for if they don't carry 'real' silk dupioni. Help!

Also, are there any 'gotchas' for working with this type of fabric?

Reply to
anne
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You more than likely will not find it at Jo Annes or Hancocks. You will have to order it on line. There's no cotton or poly - that I know of - that remotely resembles it.

No special handling. It washes like a dream and will be less stiff after washing. Just don't use any products with ANY bleaching agents.

I'm currently using dupioni as a ground for a needlepainted peony. Because of the size, I backed it with muslin. But this isn't necessary with dupioni for most embroidery. I've used dupioni a LOT. It's wonderful fabric and has a highly textured surface. Think very finely woven linen with lots of fat, long slubs.

Dianne

anne wrote:

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

Dianne said......... "You more than likely will not find it at Jo Annes or Hancocks........."

Well, the Hancock's in my area DOES carry Dupioni in several colors. Problem is, they want about $15.00 a yard for the stuff and don't carry a lot of colors. On the plus side, you can order a fraction of a yard if that's all you need. If you are going to buy a full yard (which I recommend) then I would order online as Dianne suggests. The best prices I have found onlie are at

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.They have dupioni in a bazillion colors at a promotional price of justunder $10.00 per yard. I bought the dupioni for the SMDGD'sChristening Gown and it was *really* nice fabric. Dianne is right about how nice this stuff washes up!!! After theChristening, Baby R barfed all over the front of her gown (you KNOW howbaby barf stains) -- on the silk dupioni, on the embroidered silkorganza, on the re-embroidered silk lace -- YUCK!! I wiped the gunk upand rinsed in cold water in the church bathroom and then brought thegown back to Magnoliaville. I soaked it in the bathtub with some Orvusand then rinsed about a million times and it came clean as new! Mybiggest worry was how the hand embroidered front panel of uchikaki silkwould react to being washed! The fabric is ***heavily*** embroideredwith silks, metallics, rayons, etc. and I was a bit worried. Came outbeautifully so I was quite pleased :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^< PAX, Tia Mary

Reply to
Tia Mary

I did not see the pattern or the magazine but do make sure they are not talking about decorator fabric and not dressmaker fabric. They make silk dupioni in both. I have used the decorator fabric many times with success. Barbie

Reply to
bdiane

Yes, there are different "grades" of dupioni. Some quite thin and cheaper to purchase. Nothing wrong with the thinner quality. I have used it successfully with lots of embroidery and it turns out beautifully. Wears like iron. I was unaware of the differences in weight until I purchased some lucious pink (my baby embroidery days) from a retail friend and noticed the difference immediately from the ecru that I had on hand. Did NOT know they made a very heavy weight for "decorating". :-)

Dianne

bdiane wrote:

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

Dianne said......... "Yes, there are different "grades" of dupioni. Some quite thin and cheaper to purchase. .........."

The stuff I bought for the Christening Gown was a nice heavy weight. It was very crisp -- not terribly stiff, just "crisp". I just went and looked at the site and the dupioni is $9.95 and is the "Promotionally Priced Dupioni Silk". Like I said, it's not the really heavy drapery or upholstery weight but is still substantial. Actually, I don't think I would want to do hand work on the really heavy stuff -- I have had some of it long ago and it IS heavy!! Wears like iron too :-)))! The stuff I have and recommend for hand work (from the Promotionally Priced group) is heavy enough for general home dec stuff like pillows and is the perfect weight for formal clothing, wedding gowns, etc. -- the stuff that needs to be sturdy without being really **sturdy**. Also, I don't know if the really heavy weight dupioni washes as nicely as this home dec weight stuff. CiaoMeow >^;;^< PAX, Tia Mary

Reply to
Tia Mary

Reply to
Brenda Lewis

Reply to
Sue Maher

My local one didn't used to carry it. It has been awhile since I've shopped there, but I will be making a trip this week and will look. Often times there are regional/marketing differences in what certain stores will (and will not) sell. After talks with local management, it appears that they don't make the decisions, but it is made at a central location. However, I haven't had these talks for about five years, so things may have changed.

Dianne

Sue Maher wrote:

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

Sue Maher said

Bingo... we had a winner. The local store did in fact have it in both departments but not in white which is what I wanted. So I picked up a yard of something that looked very similiar. Purists will probably shudder because it's synthetic not real silk

Reply to
anne

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