Silk sources

[steve]

Does anyone care to share sources of silk fabric and/or garments? Everyone is always looking for alternatives to the obvious!

Steve

[Kathy]

I get all my silk scarves and yardage from Exotic Silks. This is their wholesale site. They have a sister site Thai Silks that is their "retail" site. However, if you are purchasing over $100 you can easily set-up an account through Exotic Silks.

Even though they have done some revamping of their site recently to make online ordering easier/more efficient, I still like to call and talk to the rep(David) for my region. I especially like it b/c I can immediately know if what I want is in stock or when it will be back in stock.
They are super quick with shipping. They have a disclaimer of shipping of about 5 days out from ordering but I have generally gotten my stuff in under a week.

As far as silk clothing blanks, they don't have much and besides Dharma(which doesn't have a big selection either) I don't know of any others.

 
Kathy

[monica]

Can any one suggest some silk sources???  I am desperately searching for mens white long sleeve silk shirts.
My daughters ballet teacher asked me to dye a shirt match a costume.  The dying I can pull off it's the finding the shirt I seem to be having trouble with.
Thanks, Monica

[ktaltre]

I googled "silk clothing".

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=silk+clothing&btnG=Search

I didn't go look at anything, but there's a lot to look at!
k. taltre

[monica]

Any other suggestins?

[ktaltre]

Continuing thoughts on silk blanks:
Dharma is really the only reasonable priced source for silk blanks in our dyeing universe - and as mentioned, Exotic Silks.
There is the option of sewing your own silk blanks, if you sew, or having them sewn for you. Silk yardage from Dharma and Exotic Silks is actually reasonably priced, but the cost of hiring someone to sew for you is cost prohibitive.
If one were truly serious about working with silk and had the financial backing (haha), you could go to Hong Kong  and find a factory to make your blanks.
I have seen a "want ad" in Threads magazine occasionally, advertising for a skilled seamstress for Carter Smith's studio. Again, silk clothing is high end and if you're doing that sort of thing and can get the money for it, hire a seamstress (and that's a whole other ball game).
I'm a pretty good seamstress and developed some T patterns for silk. I have dyed silk yardage, but haven't been able to work up to cut it yet; I can cut cotton - the silk intimidates me. What I'll probably do is make the shirts and then dye them. What's interesting, is you could sew the blank up to the point of the underarm seam and dye the shirt flat and then finish the shirt after dyeing.
That's all for tonight..
k. taltre