Silk
Silk is a 100% natural fiber and comes in many different weaves and weights (thicknesses). To express the weight of silk, the Japanese unit of momme is being used. The weight influences the silk's character of draping, but also its ability to absorb more or less dyes, showing therefore more or less intense colors in the final product.
To wear silk is just an immense pleasure: it is warming in cold temperatures ... and cooling in warm temperatures. Once you own a silk scarf you will never want to miss it. Or, once you enjoy the beauty of a silk throw cushion you might simply want more because of its decorative, luxurious effect and its intense colors.
Tools
There are different dyes available on the market. The two biggest groups are either the ones that need heat setting or steam setting to become permanent and wash fast.
I am using French steam setting dyes for their intense colors and their wide variety of use in different techniques and last but not least for their various applications during the silk painting process.
In order to keep dyes within a specific area of my designs, I am using either bees wax or water soluble resists, in certain techniques also gutta.
Actual Working Process
I buy white (natural) silk scarves already hand rolled for a finish that underlines beautifully the hand painted artwork. I then wash every scarf, cushion or other item in order to eliminate all eventual impurities. After the scarves, etc. are dry, I stretch one at a time on a stretcher frame ... and the fun can begin.
Once the painting is finished, I sign it, take it off the frame and put it aside for 24 to 48 hours. The silk scarf or other item is then being steam fixed for 2 to 4 hours, a process that makes the dyes wash fast (the colors are well integrated into the silk and the product will not bleed out anymore).
A last wash and dry ... ironing if necessary ... and the luxurious silk scarf, throw cushion, picture or whatever other item, is ready to be shipped to you, my appreciated customers.
My silk scarves as well as Dyes, Gutta, Resists, etc. come from
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