Silk
paper is an exciting new and unique medium for designing with silk. Silk
is the most lustrous of all natural fibers. Silk paper captures this
intense lustre and is easily incorporated into the artist's work. The
softness of silk is available in paper. Silk papers are made from soft
silk fabric or a blend of silk and cotton. These papers are generally
imported from India.
The handmade silk paper is made by mottling silk threads in cotton pulp
or by simply laying down unspun silk fibers and gluing it together with
various adhesive mediums.
Making of Silk Paper
- Lay silk fibers on a tray covered with a net.
- Pull out strips of silk of the required length from the silk top.
- Place the silk strips on a tray in a way that they run parallel
in even layers.
- Cover these strips with a netting.
- Wet the silk strips so that they accept adhesive easily.
- Paint the silk with solution of soapy water.
- Turn the sides few times, making sure that the strips are wet
from all sides.
- Blot lightly to get rid of excess suds and drips.
- Apply a good adhesive evenly on both sides.
- Lay on a rack to dry.
- After drying, carefully peel off the netting and press silk paper
beneath a pressing cloth with a medium iron.
To the beautiful silk paper more texture can be added using silk
noils, threads, silk laps, silk hankies etc. Different adhesives like
textile medium, acrylic gloss medium, etc are used to obtain a unique
feel and effect.
Silk papers perform diverse applications. This extra smooth
range of handmade papers is used for gift wrapping, notebook covers,
carry bags etc. You can virtually paint with the silk paper, create
sculptural pieces or design wearable art pieces.
