Smooth as Silk

Have you ever tried silk? I'm not talking about the soy based, milk substitute that vegetarians or lactose intolerant people drink. I'm talking about using silk batting in your quilts.  I was hesitant to start using silk in my quilts because it is slightly more expensive and I read somewhere on the internet that silk requires special techniques to quilt and should not be attempted unless you know what your doing.  Are you kidding me? Jan, the owner of Shiisa Quilts, where I work, prefers only silk batting in her quilts.  I can attest that there is no special or complicated quilt care going on at her house.  I wanted to try it.  I did not presoak the batting or prewash the fabric. I quilted the quilt at least 2 inches apart, which is pretty light quilting for me. You can goes as much as four inches apart if desired. When finished, I washed the quilt in my washing machine with cold water, using a medium spin speed. (I had marked the border with orange chalk and it really needed a wash.)  After washing, it went straight to the dryer on medium heat until it was just barely dry. Did it shrink? Yes, but no more that a cotton batting would shrink. I happen to like the soft pucker of a natural fiber quilt but if you don't, you could prewash your fabric and batting according to the manufacturer's directions. What I loved most about the silk batting was the lightness and drape of the quilt. When quilting a large quilt, the weight of it pulls and drags. I found the silk batting moved easier and scrunches up nicer  on the machine.  Silk batting is warm and breathable. I hope my daughter, Shelly and my son-in- law, Tom enjoy this quilt. Oh, in case you think I pieced this quilt, I did not. The fabric is Folklorica by Julie Paschkis for In the Beginning Fabrics. It is one big piece of fabric with 3 added borders. Easy, peasy!     

 

Comments

[Julie J.]

Great info. Thanks, Lisa!

[Shell]

Love it already! Can't wait to hunker down with this beautiful quilt. We are very lucky.