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Fabrics > Lustrous and Shiny Silks

Lustrous and Shiny Silks

Light and Bright Tussah

Light and Bright Tussah

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This particular tussah fabric is exceptionally shiny because it is woven from reeled (not spun) tussah, which is very rare. It is surprisingly durable for such a lightweight silk.

I searched for decades for the source for this silk! I knew of it as one of the fabrics used for traditional paintings: think of the Japanese sumi charcoal black water colour on beige ground. The reeled Tussah has a luminosity that exists no where else. - Cheryl

The natural, unwashed fabric is stiff, which gives it uses that no other silk can match. It can be stretched and used as dye-paint canvas. It can be folded into Origami. It can be sewn into lightweight garments or linings that stand out from the body.

This fabric is woven on antique looms in a small mill in India. It is not perfectly regular. Please consider these irregularities as part of the charm of handwork.

Washed, it becomes a soft, but still substantial semi-sheer. The natural light beige is the natural wild silk colour. It can be ironed smooth, or left unironed for a contemporary easy care light crinkle texture. Shrinks considerably when water washed, so order amounts with this in mind.

 

To order multiple yards, update quantity in shopping cart

1-4 yards

Natural off white (undyed)

$12/yard

5+ yards

Natural off white (undyed)

$10/yard

3" x 3 " Sample

Natural off white (undyed)

$2

Note: The amount of shipping charged for fabric samples will be refunded when we process your order.

 

Naturally Dyed Colors:

Fabric Information

  • Fibre content: 100% tussah silk, reeled filament. Wildcrafted or semi-cultivated, so "Organic". Reeled filament, so not "Peace"
  • Source: India
  • Width: 43"
  • Weight per linear yard: 1 oz
  • Commonly used for: dress lining, origami, dye-paint canvas and all light weight clothing including men's summer shirts.
  • Weft (width) shrinkage: 4%
  • Warp (length) shrinkage: 3%
  • 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.
  • Or leave unironed for a natural, casual crinkle look