SILK -THE SHORT AND SWEET VERSION!

As I have stated in a previous post, my first passion is Fabrics. And one of my absolute favourites is SILK!! I won't go into a detailed Textile Class right now about Silk, but I just wanted to arm you with a little info on this fabulous fibre.

Silk- Designer Fabrics



There is nothing as beautiful as Silk Draperies. 

Silk Drapes

Especially those that have been done just right!  To me Silk Drapes are like a ballgown for the windows- a little overly dramatic, maybe,  but that's how I think of it.  The way that silk hangs:

Silk Drapes

the way the light catches on the fabric, the way it feels.........  Can you tell how much I LOVE it?  Silk has been highly prized for thousands of years.  Really, do we have to wonder why?  A little silk worm spins a very fine thread, that thread is collected and processed and Voila- Fabric!  So amazing!!  Not that Simple but so very amazing!

When Silk Drapes are done correctly there is nothing like it on the planet!  And when I mean done right I mean the following: Style, Cut and Construction.  Here is an awesome example of just that:

Sue Ellen Gregory

   Here is a close up of those gorgeous drapes:

Sue Ellen Gregory

Sue Ellen Gregory

Just from the photo (especially the close up), I can see the level of detail that went into these drapes.  When a Silk Drape is constructed correctly they will ALWAYS be lined.  Not only does this help the drape to hang correctly, but it also protects the drape (somewhat) to sunlight, protects it  from heat (somewhat), gives a consistent colour when observed from the outside (all draperies should look consistent when viewed from outside), and helps to give the drape "body".  When I say body I mean it gives the fabric a bit more "beef", be a little more sturdy if you will.  One of Silk Draperies' worst enemies is the sun.  The UV rays and the heat produced can completely destroy the fibre.  Hang an unlined silk drapery in a very bright location and within a year it will have faded and will have fallen apart.  Sad but true.  YOU SHOULD NEVER, NEVER hang Silk Drapes in a South facing window.  This includes Southwest.  This is due to the fact that this type of sun is the most intense and damaging.  The only way to slow the ravages of the sun is to use Blackout Lining, and Interlining.  Only by this, will this slow the progression.  If it were me, I wouldn't hang Silk in a harsh lighted window- you have spent so much money and you don't want to ruin your investment.  Even when you line and interline the drape, the leading edge of the drape will still be visible to the suns rays, your edging will take a beating!

When I talk of Interlining I mean this is an extra layer between the main fabric and the Lining.  Think of it as a Fabric Sandwich: Fabric, Interlining, and then Lining.  Why would you want to line and interline your Drapes?  Well to begin, it helps to further protect the drapes from heat and UV.  Another reason is to add "body" to the drape.  In the close up in the above pics, I can tell that Interlining was used.  This is why the drapes look so "plump".  Interlining gives drapes the "ballgown" look they can achieve.  In addition, interlining helps the drapes to hang beautifully.  A good Interlining will also provide added protection from heat and UV.  Most Interlinings used to achieve this "ballgown" look is called "bump cloth". 

Bump Cloth is a very lofty fabric much like heavy Flannel.  It really gives a lovely weight to drapes:

Bump Cloth

So for those of you out there brave enough to make your own Silk Drapes- PLEASE......  Use Lining and if you can Interlining.  It will be completely worth it in the end.  I know it is a little more effort but you have already spent a small fortune on the Silk fabric-  you might as well go all the way.  If you do, they will last for years to come.

For those that wish to purchase custom drapes, I hope that this little bit of knowledge I have given will do you well in the future.  By knowing just the few things I have spoken of it will help you make better decisions: 

1. Always have Lined Silk Drapes.  If you can get Blackout Lining that's even better.

2.  Do not put Silk Drapes in a South facing window -if possible!

3.  If at all possible, buy interlined Silk Drapes ( I know it can be expensive).  They can be Interlined with a special Interlining Fabric or use Bump Cloth for an even better look and better protection.

If you are going to buy Silk Drapes at a store or online then please make sure they are at least Cotton lined- Cotton holds up well.

Here are some places you may want to look at for inspiration and purchasing:

Drape Style

Restoration Hardware

InVu (Canada)

Calico Corners

Pottery Barn





You can always go the route of Custom Drapes but I realize that for the majority of consumers this is way out of range- I too am on a tight budget!  You may be able to find cheaper alternatives to Silk such as Faux Silk- which most likely will be made of Polyester- most times they are more than 1/2-3/4 of what you would pay for real silk.
 Here is a little inspiration and eye candy.  Enjoy:

Sue Ellen Gregory

Van H Robinson

Tracy Murdock

Anticmystic

Ball Gown Drapes

DecorPad



Silk Drapes

Silk Drapes- The Lennoxx

Silk Taffeta Drapes







Decorpad

I believe that the Wall colour for the above photo is BM Amherst Gray HC 167

Silk Draperies

Drape Style

Lucan Fabrics

This above photo is just like a ballgown- I know that this kind of "puddling" is not for everyone- but boy is it beautiful to look at!

Miles Redd- Elle Decor

Visual Vamp



Sarah Gilbane Interiors

One last thing- I may have mentioned in a previous post- REMEMBER:  Drapes are lined, Curtains are unlined.

I hope this has enlightened and been helpful.  Happy shopping!

Have a great day!

Megan







IT'S A TRICKY THING!!

Alexander McQueen

Fabric is one of those things that when used in the right situation works beautifully.  The above Ball Gown is one of those situations.  I can't even put into words how much I love this dress.  Do I have anywhere to where such an item? NO-  I WISH!!  But it is so inspiring in so many ways.  The combination of the colour is amazing (I will have to design a room around that gown sometime). The use of the Chevron in the fabric is incredible.  But most of all the use of the actual fabric- Silk Taffeta is what sets this gown apart.  Silk Taffeta is the kind of fabric that makes you sit up and take notice of it.  It has inherent structure to it.  Not to mention it glows/shines like nothing else.  This Gown works so well because the use of the structure of silk allows it to take shape.  Yes, yes, I am sure that there is oodles of crinoline and netting underneath, not to mention boning and all sorts of scaffolding and structuring going on under there!!  But the Silk holds its shape because Silk Taffeta does what it does.  If you were to put Tussah Silk here- well lets just say that the skirt would not hold it's shape the same way.  Tussah Silk is way too "soft" to pull off this affect.
My point in all of this is to say- "USE THE RIGHT FABRIC FOR THE RIGHT SITUATION".  As someone with a background in Textiles one of the things that makes me slightly noodles is to see fabric used in the wrong situation- even if it is only for show/vignette/photo shoot.  I especially do not like it when "Professionals" do this.  As a designer/decorator we all have our strengths.  For some it is colour, others it is knowing your fabrics.  Case in point:

Source Unknown



If anyone knows who designed this room let me know so that I can properly site it (I downloaded it years ago).  Now, I am not putting pictures up to "call" anyone out.  What I am trying to do is to educate so that you DIY'ers, Decorators or Designers will think a little more before you go ahead with a project.  We spend a lot of time on projects and you wouldn't want that project ruined by making the wrong choices.

When I first saw this bathroom I fell in love.  It is so serene.  But on closer observation the sink really began to bother me.  Now don't get me wrong- I love Silk Taffeta (in the proper situation).  It makes it look as if the sink is surrounded by a ball gown.  But really would you want a ball gown surrounding something whose main function is hygiene and water??  Again- It is beautiful to look at but NOT very practical.  In addition, and I am only speculating here, the fabric looks as if it is Silk Taffeta.  Why do I say this?  Well, The way the fabric holds its shape and how it has a shimmer to it.  There are some pretty good "fakes" out there made of Polyester.  But you would still run into similar issues as silk.  For one thing, water and Silk DO NOT mix.  There would be watermarks everywhere.  In addition to that, the actual weave of Taffeta adds to this effect.  Oil would be more of an issue instead of water for Polyester.  What about cleaning the thing?  It would have to be dry cleaned.  If it were Polyester you MAY be able to wash it (this all depends on how the skirt was constructed).  Here is another example:

Faiella Design



Now, is the above bathroom lovely to look at? Absolutely!  Is it practical? ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Now, in defence of the above designer this bathroom was located in a Show house.  But that being said I feel it is sending the wrong message.  When Designers and Decorators use fabrics in ways that they maybe shouldn't then it kind of sends the wrong info out there.  Someone sees something like the above 2 photos and thinks- "Ahhh....  I love that, I think I'll do that too".  But the problem is it will end in disaster for anyone who tries this in "the real world".  Would you wear a Silk Ball Gown to do the laundry or do the dishes- I don't think so.  But you would wear it to a Gala.

My point in all of this is to make people think before they do.  Think of the function of a room.  Is that textile right for that function?  If you don't know if a textile is right then ask someone who does know- Ask me for instance!!  So the next time you do a project that involves fabric, think about that fabric and how it will work for the function of that room.  You will avoid disaster and maybe even save some money in the long run.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day

Megan