Maybe try Habutai or China silk?

I will look into both, thank you.

Is what you received similar to tent or light raincoat material? I think that type of rip-stop nylon is what modern day parachutes are made of now. They used to be made of silk but probably not anymore. I suggest going to go to a good sewing store* to get a feel for different types of fabrics. Of course silk or satin might be too expensive or too shiny for curtains, but there are so many different types of silky light fabrics out there now that are synthetic. Good for draping.

(*I would not recommend chains like JoAnn, they have the worst fabric selection.)

Hi, Deborah...could you link to whatever site it was that told you it was "parachute" fabric? It might help and I, for one, am curious as to why they used that as a description and in what context they used it....thanks.

My architect told me about using parachute fabric but they don't have a supplier. I also met a high-end interior designer in passing this summer who told me he uses it all the time and that it should be beautiful and silky to the touch. Not plasticy like rip-top nylon. Here's a link to one of my architect's jobs that uses parachute fabric

https://fabricdirect.com/acatalog/extra-wide-fabric-satin-sheer-linen-dupioni-110-120-inch.html#usestorage

Look for 118" or 120" wide fabrics.

I went looking for parachute fabric a few years ago and actually found a local store that sells it and all kinds of outdoor fabrics, from sail cloth to goretex to rip stop nylon. Here is one of their fabrics, an uncoated outdoor taffeta. https://www.seattlefabrics.com/60-Uncoated-Nylon-Taffeta-675-linear-yard_p_29.html Doesn't come in many colors, but they have many other fabrics you could look at online.

I found it to be too pricey for my needs. Eventually I found a vintage parachute to repurpose and it worked beautifully. (This was for a musical theatre production.) The real parachute fabric was much softer and billowy than the newer fabrics.

I agree with the general consensus that you need a real silk. Your choices in color and pattern will be much greater.