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Fabrics > Matte Silks and Peace Silks

 

Tough Stuff Tussah

Tough stuff Tussah

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“This particular fabric is an old standard from China, which has been difficult to get for years.  When I lived on the farm, I hand sewed a skirt out of this fabric, and dyed it brown with bark.  I wore it every day for years.  It got softer and shinier.  I still wear it for special occasions.” – Cheryl Kolander

The fabric is a balanced weave with irregularly spun yarns both warp and weft.  The natural colour shows in subtle variegations along the threads in both directions.  Tussah fibre is sturdier than cultivated silk, and holds up very well to heavy wear and repeated washings.One of the secrets to this "Tough Stuff" tussah's great durability is that the fibre is only partially degummed, and the remaining silk gum gives great durability to the fabric.

To order multiple yards, update quantity in shopping cart

1-4 yards

Natural (undyed)

$24/yard

5+ yards

Natural (undyed)

$20/yard

3" x 3 " Sample

Natural (undyed)

$2

 

Fabric Information

  • Fibre content: 100% tussah, wild silk* "Organic"
  • Source: South China
  • Width: 46"
  • Weight per linear yard: 8 oz
  • Commonly used for: Durable clothing, including suits and men's jackets, also dresses, skirts and blazers; upholstery.
  • Weft (width) shrinkage: less than 1 percent
  • Warp (length) shrinkage: 10 percent please order enough!
  • Recommended care: Machine wash: gentle cycle, warm water, mild soap.  Tumble dry on low heat.  For smoothest finish, iron from barely damp state on "wrong" side of fabric.
  • Sewing tips: Cut edges need to be stay-stitched, or they will ravel in the wash. A single line of zig-zag, or serging the edges is recommended.
  • * Tussah silk is wild silk that is typically gathered in the jungle from cocoons of wild silkmoths, a practice which predates silk cultivation. Wild gathered silk can be considered "necessarily Organic" because it grow wild in Nature. Today, especially in China, Tussah is also semi-cultivated. The caterpillars are tended outside on plantings of Oak trees. As far as we can determine, no practices inconsistent with Organig farming methods are used in the raising of this Tussah silk.
  • Naturally dyed colour: Cheryl Kolander, Senior Master Natural Dyer and founder of Aurora Silk can custom hand dye Artizan colours on this fabric. Colours are hand dyed in 5 yard minumum-maximum lots. Cost varies by colour in the $65 to $80 per yard range. Call on Tuesday afternoons for free consultation, or email your needs.