Silk Lining for Tunic

[Leda EmBorr]

I'm having lining issues....

I'm making yet another Obi-Wan style tunic and I need to line the crinkle gauze with silk, because otherwize it's just too thin.

But I'm ordering online and I don't know what to get. There's a ton of different silks here: www.fabric.com/SearchResults.aspx?SearchText=silk&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e

I'm looking for a silk lining that is light as a feather and very smooth... something that will drape like the gauze does and flow with it.

*does best Gungan accent* Any help here would be great----

[ayanabashu]

Try Haboti silk, it will behave more like what you want.

www.thaisilks.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TS&Product_Code=021F

It's $2.20 US/yard for the 5mm and only comes in natural. There are other weights and styles available from this site also.

I won't go anywhere else for my silks, Thai Silk has always had the best prices.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

That is an amazing site for silks. Check www.dharmatrading.com too. They've cheaper prices by the yard for Silks if bought by the bolt.

[ayanabashu]

Thanks for reminding me, I had forgotten about Dharma.

I generally use Thai Silk since I can get just about any weight and style I need be it for a chemise or a winter weight under tunic.

One of my greatest joys was getting my hands on scarf weight for silk painting to give as gifts.

[Nova Darklighter]

If you want very thin and slippery, you might want to try a china silk for lining, the habotai looks like a very lt wt. noil. though I might want to give that a try for an undertunic, or maybe just a nice chemise for under a garb. Leda, if you come in for fabric, let me know, I've a few places we haven't gone, because we haven't wanted that sort of thing much.

[Leda EmBorr]

I bought some china silk a while back but I'm still looking for something that's 110% natural. China silk is a blend, isn't it?

Thanks for those two websites... I'm sending for swatches.

And Nova... yes, I do believe I need a lesson in silk identification... another fabric frolic is in order!

[Nova Darklighter]

No, China Silk should be 100% silk, though there is a very good imitation that is 100% poly, it looks the same & almost feels right but it doesn't breathe as well, so it's warmer, it also doesn't drape as well as the real thing, it's a bit shinier sometimes as well, but that depends on the brand/mill.

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

You could always try the match test on the china silk that you have. If it burns into ash, it's natural. If it melts into black, it's poly or a blend.

Hey, and check out the lining poking out of Obi-Wan's sleeves here!

www.cswu.cz/obiwan/obi/ep3poz/18.jpg

I wouldn't worry about getting any lining to lay flat after seeing that.

[Leda EmBorr]

That's definitely silk... only silk lays like that.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Man he's dressed nice.:-) I'd not use Noil as an under tunic shirt because it'll 'pill; up and is a little ruff against skin. I know cuz I've worn my raw silk over tunics with under tunics. yikes. SO Habito silk huh? cool

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I saw Ep III last weekend and I couldn't help looking up Obi-Wan's sleeves! You can especially see the lining when he's leaning against the doorway of the subway car after they rescue (?) Palpatine.

[Nova Darklighter]

I think that might be a shade thicher than the china silk, though still pretty thin, maybe a 4ply silk, very drapy, usually not quite as shiny as china silk.
Wash and dry the silk noile a few times, it gets very soft, I've used it for nightshirts and medieval undertunics many times.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Cool. My raw silk got thin and i 'm concerned it might start tearing.

[Leda EmBorr]

yeah that's the thing about silk... it's biodegradable! lol!

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Yeah bummer, but BOY is it soft and great to work with.:-D