Upcycling silk
Silk, an ancestral material of timeless beauty
Silk is a natural textile material of so-called animal origin since it comes from the cocoon made by the bombyx caterpillar, also known as "the silkworm".
Rare and sumptuous, it has stunning technical qualities, such as its solidity. Over the years, it has charmed men with its softness and flattered women's coquetry with its distinction. A true symbol of luxury, it still retains its character of exclusivity today.
It has its origins in China, 2700 years BC, through a very pretty story. It is said that a Chinese princess discovered silk by observing a bombyx cocoon in her cup of tea, which had fallen from the mulberry tree above her. A long thread unwound as she tried to retrieve the cocoon...
Today, the silkworm is reared for the purpose of producing and weaving silk, and the monopoly on production is no longer attributed to China. Although 90% of the world's production is carried out in Asian countries, other countries, such as France, also engage in this work.
Silk remains a rare and precious textile, its production being longer, more complicated and more expensive than many other textiles.
The use of silk in clothing
Silk is a highly prized textile in women's and men's dressing whether on the clothing, lingerie or accessory side. Fine jumpers, dresses, blouses, boxers, nighties, gloves, scarves... Silk is extremely gentle on the skin, it doesn't cause allergies and also has thermal-regulating qualities.
Its high price gives it a certain prestige that delights a privileged few. The famous Hermès silk square is, incidentally, one of the finest examples of this.
But fortunately, it is possible to own a few silk items without being as rich as Croesus. They can be inherited from our parents or grandparents, found in a thrift shop or used in small touches on other materials.
In fact, silk can be found in different forms of textiles. Silk chiffon, silk crepe, silk georgette, silk satin, wild silk, etc., are just a few examples.
Inspirations for your silk upcycling projects
So what can you do with silk? How can you use this precious material in an upcycling project?
The first idea is of course the traditional scarf, which can easily be upcycled from a larger or smaller scrap of fabric. A scarf you can wear around your neck but also on your head!
Why not also make a pretty gathered panty in the fashion of the time? There's nothing nicer than soft underwear. Our team of Tillists could even embroider a lovely personalised message on your knickers. Extra chic and very exclusive, don't you think?
Finally, among all the crazy ideas we could come up with for upcycling silk, there's the over-sized t-shirt with a silk scarf!
We've actually dedicated a whole article to it, just here.
Somewhere between a dress and a top, it's both hyper casual and chic and will be a perfect ally for your summer evenings.
Get in touch with our seamstresses and share your ideas with us.
We are also at your disposal in case you lack inspiration. Our Tillists are specialists in sewing, fashion and style and there's no doubt they'll be able to help you recycle your dressing room, with or without silk!
No time to start sewing?
your homewho can advise and help you recycle and personalise your dressing roomcarries out transformations in its workshopet livre le vêtement après transformations chez vous
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