Monday, April 28, 2008

SILK YARNS

Some dyed silk organzine on cones

Cones of Silk Organzine Wound To Date

DOT'S FIBRE TO FABRIC

If you have even only the vaguest interest in silk, run, don't walk, to Dot's post on silk. And don't let the fact that she begins her post with a discussion of wool mislead you. Read on, and you will learn that Dot has culled out the best of the information from a number of important textile books.

SILK ORGANZINE

Among other things, she discusses spun silk and organzine, both of which I am currently working with. In response to her question, yes, bombyx is spun silk.

I am also delighted to have my experience with organzine validated. I had already figured out that it was a definitely over twisted yarn. When I let a loop of the yarn drop loose in the air, it really twists on itself. And that, no doubt, is what accounts for its very independent nature.

U.S. SUPPLIER

Moreover Dot is right about the rare availability of organzine. Here in the United States I am grateful to have a wonderful supplier: Habu Textiles.

SERICIN

Habu Textiles sells silk yarn both with and without sericin. And they also sell a degumming agent. There are times when leaving the sericin in the yarn is useful. But even in supposedly degummed silk, there is still a bit of sericin. How do I know? It smells terrible when it is wet!

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Dot, for taking the time to collect all this information and put it into readable form for the rest of us.

2 comments:

Dorothy said...

I enjoyed learning about silk yarns, it was all too interesting to keep to myself!

Thanks for the recommendation for Habu, I've just been admiring their yarns. It's typical of the Japanese that they offer the very best quality and their presentation is beautiful! I found a note on a site in the UK retailling Habu yarns (Loop Yarns, London) saying the yarns come from small mills all over Japan and are produced to order.

Peg in South Carolina said...

Habu was started, maybe 10 years ago? by a lovely young Japanese woman with persistence, energy, intelligence. She has worked hard to make it a success. I have been there a couple of times when visiting NYC. It is an amazing place. Of course one thing that happens is that sometimes there aren't the silk yarns there that one wants since production/delivery are not always really guaranteed. Oh, and she is extraordinarily helpful, both in person and on the phone.