How to identify real silk

[Strumpets Bazaar]

I have a Liberty of London dress ready for my shop and really can't decide whether it is silk or not. Anyone got any foolproof ways of identifying real silk? I've read a little about the burn test but before I see whether there's a bit of fabric I can snip out has anyone got any other ways of telling? Thanks, Jayne.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I would have to say that your best bet is the burn test.

 

[vivavintageclothing]

If you have a steamer, steam for a second or two and then smell the fabric. I can always tell real silk by the particular smell that it has when it is warm from being steamed...no burning necessary if you recognize it. Maybe you can compare with an item that you know for certain is silk?

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Amy, that's an interesting point...can you say what you find it smells like...sweet, etc?

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

I agree that the burn test is the best way. You only need a teensy tiny snippet of fabric or even a few threads from the inner selvage....just don't use a match as that adds another scent to the smoke and can alter your nose's ability to discern the burning hair aroma from the silk. I use the gas flame from my stove burner, or a clean unscented candle or lighter. If you don't have a good nose, try the steam or another method. I like the seam method too, but take care not to get the silk water spotted or water marked. Good luck.

Is this an antique gown and when is it from?

 

[Sky Ranch Vintage]

If you have a steamer, steam for a second or two and then smell the fabric. I can always tell real silk by the particular smell that it has when it is warm from being steamed...no burning necessary if you recognize it. Maybe you can compare with an item that you know for certain is silk?

I was going to say exactly the same thing!!

It has a very distinct smell. Hard to explain, but it's a dry smell that kind of tickles the back of my throat. It's always very apparent to me when I'm steaming either wool or silk.

 

[EndlessAlley]

Gosh, I never thought about the smell created from a match flame effecting the results when doing a burn test. No wonder I could never discern the smell of wools, silks, etc. Great information... thank you.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I know what you mean about the wool smell, Amber...I will have to check out the silk steamer thing though, now I am very intrigued.
So we should also have a "steam smell chart" too!

 

[vivavintageclothing]

A "smell chart" for vintage might include some less than lovely things...

Amber, I can't put the particular scent of silk into words very well either, but I will say that vintage silk smells "better" to me than modern silk--not sure why though?

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Another vote for the burn test but other methods I use are by feel: it's cool to the touch, sometimes "slimy" depending on the type. I agree that comparing it to something that I know is silk can also help.

There are so many types of silk, and some are easier than others: satin, twill, fuji, peachskin, raw and shantung are all weaves I find easy but georgette is hard. I've been meaning to set up a folder of fabric swatches because if I can't always tell, my staff and customers will be in trouble too!

I always tell wool from the smell: I slightly wet a bit (using a spray gun or tissue), the smell is so strong. It also comes out when you iron it, as do most fabrics.

 

[Strumpets Bazaar]

Thank you so much for all the tips. I'm going to get my brave up and try the burn test. I agree with Nicole that I'd like to build up a library of swatches! Barbara was asking if it is an antique gown - it's a 50s gown. I've put an album on my facebook page prior to adding it to my shop if you are interested: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.337795879609719.93294.132555860133723&type=3
Thanks again,
Jayne

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

Jayne, that is a lovely dress and from the photos it looks like a watered silk / moire silk.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi again,

I am in love with that dress. I don't see moire, I see a printed silk, but it is really beautiful and the construction is top notch. If only I had my waistline back.....

 

[Linn]

Beautiful dress! I agree with Barbara, I'm not seeing moiré, either - it looks like printed silk. I love the strip to avoid running your stockings!

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I see silk taffeta! Beautiful frock.

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Yes, lovely dress! And I agree with Amy on the odor you get when you steam silk (wool, too).

Also, I find that with older fabrics, silk is much easier to discern than with more modern ones. On those, with enough practice and handling of different types of silk, you'll generally be able to tell just by the feel and sometimes the look (for example, the slubs in a shantung or a raw silk will be much more irregular than in a shantung-look synthetic). Today, high-quality woven polyesters can be hard to tell from contemporary run-of-the-mill silks, but generally not so when you're dealing with 60s & 70s silk vs. woven poly. While rayon and silk can, depending on the weave, feel and look very similar, and a burn test is the "best" way to tell if you're not sure, you often can tell by feel and texture (especially in conjunction with the "steam" odor test!).

 

[thespectrum]

To me, silk smells a little sweetish when steamed, it's hard to describe, but that's how I test if I can't do a burn test or if a burn test is inconclusive.

 

[Strumpets Bazaar]

OK - I've snipped a little scrap of fabric and done the burn test. It smelt of burning hair and the ash crumbled. No melting or bubbling. When I held the fabric just a little into the flame and removed it straight away it stopped burning by itself. Would you all agree this is how silk would react?

 

[retro ruth]

Yes, that all says silk to me. The burning hair smell is the most characteristic aspect of silk in a burn test. The flame self-extinguishing is also typical.