I would love to do at least one post without a typo or incorrectly spelled word... "dupioni" not dupoini.

Here's a link to the fabrics I've been drooling over. I won't order them from this source because I think they do 1 yard minimums but the colors are wonderful!

Here is a link that might be useful: Silk Dupioni Fabric

Warning: Very long post, LOL.

I have made (finished) many needlepoint pillows from silk dupioni. I love it.

It ravels like the devil. It's difficult to square off. It shrinks. It's a PITA. If you turn your back, the stuff will ravel again! It might actually disappear if you leave it alone for a while.

I still love it.

All that said, I would use it in large pieces for a wholecloth quilt, or at least in as large pieces as possible. I wouldn't make narrow strips or small triangles from it. And don't cut too many pieces ahead.

I would absolutely prewash it - but I would take a specific measured piece, wash it gentle, cold, line dry, press with a warm iron, and re-measure the piece. Use a color catcher to see if it bleeds.

OK, that's what I should and do advise. For myself, I'd buy a measured 1/2 yard, wash it hot, rinse it cold, dry in the dryer on medium. I would probably serge (or at least pink or staystitch or narrow hem) the raw edges before washing to prevent a raveled disaster.

Then I'd look at it to see if I still loved it, see if it were still shiny enough for me. Then I'd measure it again to calculate the percentage of shrinkage. Why this? - because I only make lap or bed quilts, and if I can't wash them, I won't make them.

I have a kimono-type jacket from a local artisan, made of 5 different China silks. (China silk being a plain woven thin fabric.) She washed the silks, machine dried them, distressed them, and used a weak bleach discharge solution on them, then washed and dried again. Then she made the jacket. I've been wearing it for more than 10 years, and I wash and dry it in the machines. It's a fine strong jacket.

Mary, you are so funny. But it does really ravel badly. I have only used it in a texture quilt, and did zig zag the edges and pre-wash it.

beverly

I have a drawer full of silk necktie factory remnants that I'm still wondering what to do with. Some pieces are several yards and more. Mary's warning is taken seriously I assure you. I'll get brave one of these days. And, now I know an art quilt with little pieces isn't the answer!

What are you doing up at 2:45am?!? I'm tending a sick dog; I TOLD her there would be consequences for stealing all that cheese off the coffee table!

Thanks for the great information on silks! I am going to try something kind of artsy with it so now I know what to expect. I was going to do a raw edge machine applique. I'll try some fusible stuff to hold it together long enough to stitch it. It will be a wall hanging so I won't have to worry about laundering it. Sounds like its going to be a challenge!

Kate

Good luck Kate! I have only had silk blouses that had to be dry cleaned, if I ever got a drop of anything on them it made a spot.
Hope your baby is better and please keep us posted about the silk.

I would love to see Teresa's silk pillows.
Rosa

I used silk as applique on a quilt and as the binding. It was a bugger to work with but the print was so pretty I had to use it. (It actually was a skirt that did not fit me but I bought it anyway and deconstructed it.) I did wash it before using it (and it came through beautifully.) I've also used silk ties in a quilt. I did not wash them first because I had read about how they tangle into a mess since they are so long, so I went ahead and made a dresden plate design with them and did not wash it until the quilt was complete, but they came through beautifully.

I actually found 2 more dresses made from that same silk print and have them deconstructed to use in a quilt. I found a white piece of silk that I picked up at a thrift store a couple of weekends ago to use with it - but it did not make it in my bag. :( I also have picked up enough ties to do another tie quilt.
Karlene