Silk fabrics for dresses

Discover our premium quality Italian silk fabrics for dressmaking and fashion

Silk is a natural protein fiber that has always been considered a symbol of luxury and elegance.
Discovered in ancient China, where it was reserved for use by emperors and dignitaries, silk is considered the “queen of fabrics” thanks to its natural beauty and many properties.

The Chinese maintained a monopoly on silk production for thousands of years, exporting to Europe and the Middle East via the legendary Silk Road. Ti was only at the time of Crusades that Italy became known for its sericulture.

Characteristics of silk

Silk retains its shape, drapes well, caresses the figure, shimmers with a luster all its own, is naturally hypoallergenic, yet is still breathable; it has good absorbency and reduces humidity, which makes it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Searching for the perfect silk dress fabric?

Silk comes in a huge array of weights, textures and styles.
Choosing the right one for your project depends on the use of the garment, the type of texture and drape you're looking for, and your sewing skills.

Our premium quality 100% silk fabrics or silk and elastan fabrics are ideal for dresses and evening gowns, ceremony and formal wear, bridal dresses, skirts, blouses, trousers, jackets, light coating and lingerie.

Types of silk

Below is a short guide to our varieties of silk fabric. You can find more information in our Textile Glossary.

Silk Chiffon is a sheer, soft, vaporous and ethereal fabric, perfect to use as a top layer above an opaque layer, as sheer insets, ruffles, scarves, or draped extensions.

Silk Crêpe de Chine, also available in the stretch quality (silk Crêpe de Chine Stretch), is is an elegant, lightweight and versatile fabric and is one of the easiest silks to sew. The shiny silk of the warp contrasts the matte of the weft. Perfect for daywear as well as evening wear or lingerie, it particularly enhances draped dresses.

Silk Crêpe-backed Satin is a sophisticated, enveloping, fluid and sensual fabric with a beautiful hand and luxurious drape. The warp has a smooth, lustrous appearance while the weft is matte silk crepe with a slight orange-peel aspect. It offers two textures in one for styles in which the back side is as important as the right side. Its good drape makes it ideal for form-fitting dress patterns.

Silk Dogaressa is a precious and elegant ribbed fabric in pure silk, made with fine yarns. Excellent for skirts, dresses, both day and evening jackets, wedding gowns and evening styles.

Silk Cady / Drap is an elegant and classic fabric, perfect for both day and evening, suitable for skirts, trousers, dresses and jackets or wedding and ceremony dresses.

Silk Duchesse satin is a luxurious and elegant fabric made with yarn-dyed natural silk. It has a compact semi-lustrous satin shimmer and a slightly firm hand that lends dramatic structure to a design. It's a fabric of choice for special-occasion garments and bridal dresses, but it is also perfect for both day and evening dresses, elegant skirts, jackets and light coats.

Silk Faille is a smooth, sheer, and easy to drape fine-ribbed fabric, with a firm hand. You can use it for light coats, jackets, eveningwear and formalwear.

Silk Georgette is very close in appearance to chiffon but has a slightly denser crepe appearance and is a bit easier to work with. Lightweight and transparent, but with a firm hand, it is suitable for making vaporous dresses with overlapping effects made by using more than one layer. Perfect also for blouses, bridal dresses or lingerie.

Silk Organza fabric is a sheer, nearly transparent, crisp fabric. You can use it for special occasion garments, like a sheer blouse or a ruffled dress or as a top layer above an opaque layer. Organza is also the perfect fabric to make romantic wedding dresses with structured lines, which must maintain their shape.

Silk Radzemire is an elegant and luxurious fabric, with a twill weave, a firm hand and semi-lustrous appearance. Suitable for skirts, elegant outerwear, structured dresses and bridal gowns.

Silk Satin Stretch is a marvellous fabric that combines the sheen of silk with the comfort of stretch. It is one of our most popular satins and is ideal for evening gowns, mermaid dresses, blouses, lingerie or a smart, lightweight jacket.

Silk Shantung satin is an elegant fabric with a rough appearance characterised by slubs (raised bumps) produced by double cocoons (one silkworm makes two cocoons), that give the fabric a natural irregularity that is truly classy.It lends itself perfectly to structured evening-wear, jackets and coats, simple dresse, trousers and tunics.

Silk Taffeta is an elegant and lightweight fabric with a softly iridescent sheen and a sustained, crisp hand. It is synonymous with ball gowns and party dresses and makes an unmistakable rustling sound.

Choosing the right colour

In order to choose the most suitable colour and fabric for your sewing project, you can order our free Sample Sets (available only for plain fabrics in continuous supply).