What would you do with 4 yards of mint green silk?

[chinaKat]

I recently acquired a bunch of lovely fabric from a generous Freecycler. I have projects in mind for most of it, but one piece I just don't know what to do with -- about four yards of nice quality, medium weight silk. It is an Asian-inspired brocade with a decent sized repeat.

Mint green isn't a good color on me... and doesn't match a thing in my house - not even close. Any ideas what to do with it? It's such a nice, big piece, and has a really nice feel to it.

I'm a beginner/intermediate sewer.

[courtenay_e]

...mmmmmmm...well...if it doesn't suit your skin tone and doesn't match anything in your house, perhaps you should put it up on ebay, or pass it on to another freecycler who can use it? It would make a dress with four yards, I would think... or some nice throw pillows... or a beautiful bag or two...

[Gremco]

I would go crazy. I'm a costumer so I use lots of random, doesn't work for anything else type of things.

Do you have anyone who would like clothing or costumes made out of the material? You could make drapes, pillows, purses, anything!

[Callimom]

I'd probably try to dye it.

Karen

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Karenwith4

I'd probably try to dye it.

:

If it's really silk, it should be easy enough to dye. I'd start by cutting some swatches and dyeing those to see what kind of colors you can get before dyeing the whole thing.

[chinaKat]

Oh, I didn't think to dye it. Great idea!!!!

Could I use something like RIT?

[Callimom]

I'd use a better quality dye I think.

If you know for sure the fibre content is 100% silk then I would use a dye like this one. I can buy these dyes from my local art store, so you may be able to find a place where you could see the colours more clearly.

The challenge will be dying a very large piece of fabric evenly. If you know what you are going to make with it, I might cut it into smaller pieces and then dye it, or dye the finished product.

hth
good luck!
Karen

[Think of Winter]

I honestly think it's going to be difficult to get a good result dyeing a big piece of patterned brocade. I've been dyeing playsilks and yarn for years, and I still can't get an even coverage. :

It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful piece of silk, or a whole lot of time on something that won't work. How about pajama pants? Is it too heavy for that? Maybe some purses you could sell? A nice gift?

[fek&fuzz]

I'd sew some faux fur on the other side and wrap myself in it.

[brooks97]

How about using it for couch little pillows slip cover?

[Pumpkincat]

simple babyslings, then put them up for sale

[crazyeight]

it might be a WEE bit heavy but i would make several furoshiki's for gifts (for adults!) i like the pj pants idea though too. especially double layered with a very soft fleece inside. YUM!

[chinaKat]

Originally Posted by Karenwith4

I'd use a better quality dye I think.

If you know for sure the fibre content is 100% silk then I would use a dye like this one. I can buy these dyes from my local art store, so you may be able to find a place where you could see the colours more clearly.

The challenge will be dying a very large piece of fabric evenly. If you know what you are going to make with it, I might cut it into smaller pieces and then dye it, or dye the finished product.

hth
good luck!
Karen

These are good points. Hmm...

[chinaKat]

Originally Posted by Think of Winter

I honestly think it's going to be difficult to get a good result dyeing a big piece of patterned brocade. I've been dyeing playsilks and yarn for years, and I still can't get an even coverage. :

It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful piece of silk, or a whole lot of time on something that won't work. How about pajama pants? Is it too heavy for that? Maybe some purses you could sell? A nice gift?

Good to know. Purses are on my radar, I was thinking that even if I didn't love the mint green (or if it wasn't a color particularly in vogue) I could use it as a liner, and use a complimentary fabric for the outside.

Pajama pants might be a nice idea... esp. as a gift. Hmmm.