Techniques
I thought you might like to know about the artistic process that created your art piece.
At first, I pre-wash, iron each silk piece and stretch it on a stretcher frame. Then I draw my design with a gutta thin the outlined areas of the design.
Another silk painting technique that I use is a direct paint-on method. Dyes are applied to silk fabric using an exciting array of watercolor techniques: wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry painting, use of salt, alcohol effects. However, the effects on silk are often more dramatic than on paper.
After the dye has dried, I set the color in a silk steamer for 4 hours. This increases the brilliance of the color and allows the dye to permanently bond to the silk on a molecular level. After the steam setting process is completed, the silk is colorfast and washable.
Finally, the scarf is washed again, ironed, and now it’s ready to wear!
Painting on silk might be a long process, but well worth the result. Beautiful colors around your face will compliment your complexion as well as your wardrobe.
Each silk painting is drawn and painted by me one at a time and so no two items are identical. That’s the beauty of the handmade process!
Materials
For silk
- Habotai silk – a very light and has a subtle sheen. Habotai is known as “China silk” and it is the classic silk fabric for painting onto. The Habotai silk scarves feel wonderful to wear.
- Crepe de Chine
silk has a slightly crinkled texture with a gentle, graceful drape, a very soft hand, and a more substantial weight than the Habotai silk. It is lustrous and beautiful to wear. - Flat Crepe feels like very, very thin Satin. It is lighter and shinier than the Crepe de
Chine, and makes amazing scarves. It stays lustrous and lush, and the effect of the dyes after the steam settingare irresistible. - Satin stays heavier but bears the colors gracefully and makes a unique accessory for a more formal outfit.
- Chiffon is a very light and quite transparent silk fabric, wonderful to feel. Chiffon scarves look magnificent and feather-light to wear.
Care Instructions
Hand
Add 2-3 tablespoons of white vinegar to the final rinse to enhance the brilliance of the colors.
Roll the wet silk in a towel and squeeze gently, but don’t wring.
Iron your silk garment, while it is damp. Keep the iron in the Delicate or Silk scale. Always iron it on the reversed side. Do not steam!
While ironing, do not wet your silk locally as it may cause rings.
Do not hang your silk for display in direct sunlight. Indirect light is fine.
Always use hairspray or perfume before putting on silk garment.
I paint some scarfs using special gold/silver/bronze outlines. These scarfs have
Storage: Best place to store silk is in a dark cool closet, either on a padded hanger or laying flat. Silk is a natural fiber so it has to “breathe”. Please do not store in closed plastic bags or plastic containers and avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
Travel tips: You can pack your silk items as you would do with any other clothing. After unpacking simply hang. Minor wrinkles should disappear overnight. Too many wrinkles? Hang in a moist place (bathroom after a shower) and the wrinkles should drop out.