The silk velvet is not 100% silk. I've never even SEEN 100% silk velvet. What it most commonly is these days is a rayon pile with a silk backing. It is stronger and less expensive when made this way. Rayon dyes like a dream so what we have is a fabulous combination of fibers BUT the backing, being a different make up than the pile takes the dyes differently. In the picture above you see the deep color of the rayon pile in contrast to the lighter lilac color of the silk backing. HUGE color difference.
The edges where the fabric is attached to the looms is exposed silk- about 5/8" of it. For these panels, I have to fold the silk back and sew it to the edge so that it cannot be seen. It takes me 4 1/2 minutes to sew each edge. 2 edges times 27 panels. It also takes me 11 minutes to measure and pin and sew the 4" hems on each end and sew them in place. 20 minutes total time per panel times 27 panels.Wednesday I am dyeing the rest of the silk velvet. I'll take pictures and report back. You gotta see this!
2 comments:
Yuck. I HATE that kind of sewing. You have more patience than I do, Marjie!
A-hem! Well thank you. I'm wearing thin on it myself but I'm not showing you that part of the process. :-)
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