Silk Organza Project : Tie-dyed Silk Dupioni Organza

I began project to dye Silk organza in earnest, and started to tie-dye to get some suitable patterns  for it. Acutally I've been tie-dyeing in various colors with Silk organza, but It was just for my works. (go to the page about it). So, I only dyed with colors and size what I wanted. But once I have made up my mind to show this unique and special silk, I need to find  suitable patterns more seriously.



If you already read about my previous posting,  you would know that the organza I'm using is Silk Dupioni Organza. For first-time visitors, the simplest explanation is that this fabric is vintage organza silk. It's quite different from most other organza, because Silk Dupioni is created from the threads of double cocoons. 

It has Natural irregular texture, irregular slubs and different thickness parts, which are caused by double cocoons, and It makes this silk more vintage. (If you click the words 'Silk Dupioni Organza', you can get more information in detail.)

I realized something through this project. This silk organza can be not only fabric but also Craft Art Supplies. From now, I would like to say from crafter point why it can be useful material. 

First : This Silk Dupioni Organza is stiffer than most other organza, so is usually easy to sew. Because it has irregular slubs and different thickness parts, which gives it a crisp and stiff quality. This features can give the final product a crisp and formal appearance. So I can say that this is suitable see-through fabric for patchwork and quilting art.

Second : This Silk Organza could work like as if Silk paper which has natural patterns and special texture. Especially texture is different from most fabric, it's crisp and stiff like paper. So it tends to take creases well like folded paper, and  after ironing it tends to resist wrinkles like unfolded paper.

Third : This Organza is affected by light beautifully more than most other see-through fabric. Because it's also 100% silk, so silk's sheen is added. Further, subtle slubs make it more gorgeous. By the nature of  translucence, it's suitable for lamp cover. I took some pictures to see how it looks as lamp cover using incandescent lamp. While turn on the lamp, the patterns disappear and it function as a lighting cover well. And when turn off, the original color and patterns were seen perfectly, it looks better than pictures.

I got some ideas from those features, and I made cute mini cards with tie-dyed silk organza. I wanted to try to make see-through cards, because this fabric has huge advantage as the crafts materials - It's perfectly acceptable for both sides to be used and seen. (I mean both sides are same perfectly). So I cut and remove inside pieces, and then put small pieces of patterned silk between the papers, namely the silks was sandwiched between the papers.

Phew...It's too tough for me to explain everything in English.. I hope you understand what I'm saying even if there're some mistakes. Lastly, what I want to say in this post is that if you're fiber Artist or crafters,  you will be able to use this unique fabric to your art works better than me.

Making an Etsy shop

I began making an 'Etsy shop' to show and sell my hand dyed silk fabric. It is a  huge challenge for me, because my English is not yet at the level to run an online shopping mall in English. Actually..even though my speaking in English is also not good yet, I'm not nervous when speaking English. Because of travel experiences. BUT writing in English makes me more nervous...hum..so, I'm doing my best now- using translate, getting help from some friends, studying English. If some sentences are awkward, please understand. :)

Goods on sale in Etsy is Hand dyed and painted silk fabric which is one of  Korean traditional fabrics. Actually I have a big dream, so I quit my job and I started to prepare my own business. I want to show and introduce beautiful Korean traditional silk to everyone who are textile crafters or designers. Because I could know through travel that even if most of people who I met on my journey liked and were interested in my silk, It's very hard to see Korean beautiful silk abroad. They said "So beautiful, I've never seen silk like that before".

But It doesn't mean that running Etsy shop is my business. I want to go abroad to introduce Korean traditional fabric designed by me directly, and  work using that. I mean I want to paint and make something what my customers want abroad. For doing this, I'm currently developing some products using my unique silk. I have received support from the Korean government a little to do my small business. They offer a joint office, and I'm working hard there for my dream.

(This is my office, I'm sharing the office with someone. )

So, the reason  I decided to open Etsy shop is to show my hand-designed silk fabric before going abroad. I know that It would be difficult for me,, but I'm going to try. To open Etsy shop, I have to do a lot of things by myself, because I cannot afford to hire someone who help me. Not only making hand dyed and painted fabrics, my main works, but also 'Taking Pictures', 'Making Etsy shop pages in English', 'Blogging  to explain my silk for Etsy buyers'. And I need to study about systems of oversea delivery, way of packing safely and choosing some materials for selling. 

Oh my god, there are a lot of things to do than I thought.

(Photo studio is offered  as well, and It's one of the hardest things for me to take photos well.)

I'm just confident in making designed fabrics by hand, and the other things are still at the level of an amateur. Despite all the difficulties, however, I won't change my decision. I've been investing my time for my business now. So, before starting business in earnest, time and effort to make items will be reflected a very little bit in the price..cheaper than the other shop here. I really hope I can get many chances to show this beautiful silk to people.

Then, It's time to work!  See you at Etsy shop!