This is my VIP stash busting dress. I bought the the silk yardage eight years ago from an import shop, but have never been brave enough to use it! I also almost ruined it by washing it; the orange bled all over the cream sections. Thankfully, I was able to save it by hand washing it in synthrapol detergent.
More on my blog: http://daughterfish.com/?p=1808
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More silks than not can safely be washed, especially "blouse weight" silks such as habotai (china silk), crepe, georgette - but HAND washed, in cool water, mild detergent, and don't wring it out! Drain the water from the sink or basin, press out excess, then roll in a towel to press out more water. You can lay it flat to dry on another towel or on a drying rack, or gently hang to dry on a padded or shaped clear plastic hanger, not wire. Always test a scrap of fabric first to see if it's going to do something awful like run or pucker. (And never wash natural silks such as dupioni, shantung, pongee, etc., unless you want a soft puckery look - the natural gums of the silkworm give these silks their texture and gloss and will be washed away.) Don't panic if you see some color in the sink - silks do have a tendency to discharge some dye, but as long as you keep the water temperature reasonable and don't leave it in too long, it probably won't matter.
It's always worth trying a swatch, because think of what you'll save in dry cleaning bills! Also, silks that have been washed usually won't water-spot if you get caught in the rain or splatter yourself at the sink.
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