In this sewing tip video, I'll explain why I always look out for silk when thrift shopping and why it's now harder to find.
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I've been second hand clothes shopping and upcycling for 30+ years. I very rarely buy clothes new.
I source all my fabric from thrift shops. It’s just in the form of clothing or manchester.
There are some fabrics I am always on the look out for and one of my favourites is silk. Particularly raw silk.
Years ago, I used to see a lot more of it but now it’s quite rare so, finding a silk garment is a little lottery win.
Raw silk, also known as silk noil or silk waste, is made from the short fibres left over after processing the silk worm cocoons into silk thread. That’s why raw silk has a unique and irregular texture.
Considering the time the hard working silk worms spend cultivating their cocoons, I think silk fabric deserves our respect.
I’ve had this stunning turquoise gown for some time. It’s way too small for me and I have plans to upcycle it into a vibrant sundress. It’s got an invisible zipper all the way down the back which gives me a lot of design flexibility so I can easily tailor it to my size. I’ll make a video of the process so check back shortly for the results.
Raw silk is not only beautiful to look at but feels very natural and breathes well. Similar to 100% cotton and linen.
I recently picked up this beautiful silk dress for $1.00 while on a country thrifting trip. It’s fully lined and the embroidered detail really pops against the vibrant fuscia fabric. I love it.
And finally, during the same thrift trip, I bought this pleated raw silk skirt, also for $1. It’s hand made and would have taken someone ages to create. I hope I do it justice when I upcycle it into something new.
Next time you're thrifting, keep an eye out for raw silk. It’s easy to work with and stands the test of time. And that’s rare with all the cheaply made fast fashion in stores these days.
If you’ve been lucky enough to find some raw silk while thrifting or if you’ve got an heirloom piece in your wardrobe, let me know in the comments below so we can share our respect for timeless fabric.
Thanks for watching.
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See you next time,
BEX
Second Life Upcycling is about altering and upcycling clothes to give them a second life, inspiring people to recycle, repurpose, refashion, reuse, and rethink. On this channel, you'll find easy, quick, and simple step-by-step clothes upcycling tips and easy sewing tutorials. I have been thrifting, second-hand shopping, and sewing for 30+ years. I started thrifting in the 1980s. My passion is following an ethical style when it comes to my clothing choices and living an environmentally friendly life. I rarely buy new clothes (or anything new for that matter), instead shopping second hand at shops, Goodwill, Vinnies, Salvos and flea markets.