KevenHester
 
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Date: 12/17/12 4:54 PM Afternoon, all ....
I'm going to start a project I've had on hold awhile this winter: reproducing a Sorella Fontana skirt that I've fallen in love with.
It's ankle length, knife pleated silk skirt. What silk with you guess would be best?
Many thanks!
Kev |
Nursebennett
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Date: 12/17/12 6:21 PM I have little experience with silk, but I made a skirt from raw silk once and it was just gorgeous and I received many compliments. I'd think you will need a silk with a fair amount of weight to it but then again, I just said I'm no expert! LOL That is a lovely skirt! I love the color, too. |
Elona
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In reply to KevenHester <<  1 member likes this.
Date: 12/17/12 7:02 PM I would think silk taffeta as shown here or here and here, and would have both enough body and flow to work very well.
Fine silk dupioni could also work, especially if you could find some of the high grade, finely woven stuff that isn't really slubby.
One thing to note is that silk loooves to water-spot. You can prevent this by (surprise!) pre-washing your silk yardge (serge the cut edges first) and even giving it a few minutes in your dryer on low heat. I do this to every silk that comes into my house, before sewing with it.
Yeah, people say, "Ooooh, never do that!", but it's good to remember that silk was washed in water eons before dry-cleaning was invented. If unsure, cut a nice square of the fabric and wash and dry it to see what happens.
Here's some discussion about washing taffeta.
-- Edited on 12/17/12 7:23 PM -- |
PattyE
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MI
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Date: 12/17/12 7:49 PM I would pick a sandwashed silk. It would move beautifully, be super soft, take those pleats well, and have a gorgeous matte finish. Yum. LOL Can't wait to see what you pick. |
VivianZ
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Date: 12/18/12 9:01 AM I just rebuilt an antique skirt for my daughter, a long black silk voile pleated skirt, with lining, for a formal wedding. It is not the look of this skirt, but it was very light and flowwy. I also made a 3 inch wide maroon velvet belt to go with. |
LuceLu
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Date: 12/18/12 8:33 PM A silk twill or broadcloth would work too. They would definitly have the sturdiness for the waistband and should hold the pleats well. Also a 3 or 4 ply silk would work. There are lots of choices, I would look at different weaves and determine what is best in your mind for what you want for the project. |
MaryDB
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Date: 12/19/12 9:36 PM I second the pp's suggestion of silk twill.
I once owned (in the 80s) a gorgeous designer silk twill pleated skirt I bought on the 4th markdown from Saks for a pittance. The silk twill had the most perfect hand and weight to sashay around with those pleats swinging (it was fuller than your picture), and I loved it. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by the drycleaners, otherwise I'd have it today. Glad to see the style coming back. |
KevenHester
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Date: 12/20/12 1:54 AM Thank you all ... your insight is truly appreciated. I like the style so much, I might try a few different options.
Will put these great suggestions to work after the hollydaze! |
dresscode
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Date: 12/20/12 8:04 AM Silk twill (medium weight) should be perfect. There are different weights and they can be difficult to find. Google around.
EmmaOneSock normaally lists her non-blousy weights as "dressweight".
A hefty crepe-de-chine might work too. I have a Chanel skirt from the 80's in crepe de chine...lined with a floaty silk. It has the same type of pleats but is shorter. |
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