is it natural or synthetic??

[Aunty Lou]

Well, warp is the threads that run the length of the fabric, and weft is the threads that run widthwise.  in a shot silk, the warp is one color, and the weft a different thread color.  Dupioni silk is made of threads of silk that has not been combed to complete smoothness, leaving little bumps in the thread, which catch the light, and kind of glisten.  It also makes the fabric crisp, lending itself to pleats and crinkle effects.  Can't wait to see what you do with that wonder red/orange/gold!

[Kate XXXXXX]

The slubs in dupion silk come from having two silkworms in the cocoon, and are not to do with combing.  Some dupion is almost as smooth as taffeta, some very rough.

Dupion, raw silk, and tussah all have slubs.  Up until about the 1950's, it was thought to be a lesser grade of silk and would not have been used for top quality garments.  Much of it was turned into heavier grades of silk like silk tweed and matka (I think I'm remembering that right, but don't take it as gospel!), and mixed with wool and other fibres where the slubs would be disguised.  Raw silk and its relations became very fashionable in the 50's and 60's - possibly due to the shortage of smoother silks after the war - and have remained a staple of the Posh Frock and wedding dress trades ever since.

[DragonWing]

Kate, that is fasinating, I did not know that. I need to research more on that.

[Cilean]

Not to be a party pooper, but it sounds like you have rayon, and polyester, not Dupioni silk, most party places will not have silk because of the issues with manageability of getting it cleaned.  The side you are showing us looks just like the faux silk from JoAnns.  It is a lovely color.

Cilean

[Kate XXXXXX]

The EASY test for silk: does it stick to your hands?

Brush the palm of your hand across the surface of the fabric: does it catch slightly in places?  Chances are it has at least some silk content...  If your hand glides smoothly and the fabric feels slick, it will be artificial fibers, probably a rayon/poly mix.

[TiaLD77]

Why the reluctance to do a burn test? all you need is a small piece, 2inches wide x 1 inch long, should be plenty.

A test that I know works for wool is take a 1x1 square, soak it in bleach over night, stir in the morning the wool fibers will have dissolved, what ever is remaining is most likely synthetic. I am not sure if that will apply to silk though 

[Auryn]

I did a burn test last week but being as I really don't know what I'm looking for it didn't help me much.

I'm running around crazy this week- leaving for Indiana Friday morning and wont be back till tuesday so I'm running around like crazy getting everything done at work.
I will try doing another one before I leave but I don't know what I'm looking for.
I've read the descriptions online but visual aids on the results would help more .

[Syrilla]

My two cents... I say that is looks like a poly blend.  I have the same color in the silk dupioni, and the salvage edge is very different in color and look.  Sorry.

[DonaCatalina]

I did a burn test last week but being as I really don't know what I'm looking for it didn't help me much.

I'm running around crazy this week- leaving for Indiana Friday morning and wont be back till tuesday so I'm running around like crazy getting everything done at work.
I will try doing another one before I leave but I don't know what I'm looking for.
I've read the descriptions online but visual aids on the results would help more .

A burn test would produce a fine, almost non-existent white ash for silk.

[Auryn]

definitely not silk then.

When I bought it I bought it with the full understanding that it might very well be 100% synthetic and I'm ok with that.

I just figured I would ask.

Now I just gotta figure out what to do with it

[TiaLD77]

AHHH, now I understand. There was at one point a chart somewhere that listed what a burn test would look & smell like for diffrent fabrics.

Does anybody else have a link for it? Mine is lost to the desk top dino that died at home.

[CapnFayeCutler]

This one?

Link to larger .gif version here

[Lady von Groper]

You rock, Cap'n!  Thanks for the link!