Grambi

A post from yesterday about sources for silk dupioni got me thinking. I have collected some of this fabric because I like it, but have no idea of how to proceed with using it for or incorporating it into a quilt. Would love to see some ideas, links, pictures, etc from people who have used this in either quilts or art quilts.

Thanks!

grann of 6

Look at my avatar. That is a silk quilt made with silk dupioni fat quarters and bordered with silk taffeta left from making my DDIL's wedding gown. The batting is silk/bamboo batting, and backed with silk velvet. Dupioni is very ravelly and difficult to sew unless you have lots of experience with it. I have made wedding gowns so this was not new to me. PM me if you want more detail on it.

mosquitosewgirl

Grambi,

I am thinking about doing one with this pattern http://www.cluckclucksewpatterns.com...g-squares.html

I saw one in a shop that was simply gorgeous. The outside squares and inside squares alternated between light and dark colors, with no white. It was so rich looking and feeling.

Good luck.

Heidi

mosquitosewgirl

Would serging help the edges?

Grambi

Has anyone used a fusible web on the back and if so, what kind. I would think that it would have to be very light, like maybe Mistyfuse (which is kind of high dollar). Maybe there is another, less expensive kind.

Also have any of you ever used the silk with cotton. Grann of 6 used silk velvet on the back. I wonder if the velvet could be used in piecing on the front.

Just brainstorming here.

sewcrafty

I found this article a while back. Maybe it'll help you out.

Grambi

Sewcrafty, tried to open your download, but having trouble.
Probably don't know what I'm doing. I saved it and maybe DH can help when he's in town next week. Thanks for sending it.

MTS

I used Steam-a-Seam Lite. Why? Because it was here at the time.

I think you can use any pattern you want. I wouldn't get into tiny little pieces (unless you were paper piecing). Also, there is a very definite "grain" to the some dupionis, making it almost directional. I loved that look, but I know it drove a friend crazy looking at it. Go figure.

You can certainly mix them all up - it would give it a great texture with all the different piles. It's like an organized pieced crazy quilt.

And did you ever check out the quilts in the Neiman Marcus catalog? Thousands of dollars for a quilt make of 12" squares of different silks and velvets.

But as I wrote in the other thread, I did prewash all the silk dupioni. However, if I included the velvet it probably be a moot point as I don't think I'd ever wash the quilt.

grann of 6

I will try to answer all the questions in one reply. Serging makes the seams too bulky and difficult to press to one side. Remember, you can't use steam, starch, or press from the front or your seams will show. Silk is notorious for spotting if dampened in any way. You also cannot use the high heat cotton requires. I would caution using any other fabric with silk because of the difference in heat required and moisture. I would suggest using 3/8" or 1/2" seams and using a pattern that calls for as little manipulation of the fabric as possible. The fewer the seams the better. But then it is your quilt, so do as you please. These are just my suggestions. Also, interfacing can be used but you have to use one that requires a low heat for fusion or it won't hold fast to the silk.

greensleeves

I see you are from Spring Branch, TX--the quilt store in Kerrville, TX did carry the dupioni silk and I think patterns where this type was used. You might try contacting them, its been a year since I was there so don't know how things have changed.