The Sewing Place

The Emporia => Fun with Fabric => Topic started by: Cate on November 30, 2021, 14:19:43 PM

Title: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Cate on November 30, 2021, 14:19:43 PM
Hi, i want to make silk pillowcases because of the benefits to hair and skin. I’m not sure what type of silk to buy for this.  Anyone any experience of making silk pillowcases?
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: HenriettaMaria on November 30, 2021, 18:14:57 PM
Not pillowcases but I have had silk cushions and they don't last.  Very susceptible to wear.  Maybe think about cotton sateen instead?
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on November 30, 2021, 18:53:27 PM
DGD has a silk pillowcase because of curly hair. I think my daughter said she bought it on eBay. It's silk satin, quite substantial. Habotai will be too flimsy.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Renegade Sewist on November 30, 2021, 18:57:17 PM
@Cate you want charmeuse, at least 22 mm. That stands for momme, which denotes the weight and density of the fabric in silk. The higher the momme the better the fabric will wear. Charmeuse is sometimes called crepe backed satin. Absolutely use nothing lighter than 19.5 mm which is easier to find. Look for it to say something about being 100% mulberry silk. Expect to pay 20 to 30 pounds per meter. The better silk pillow cases have an envelope type back, two overlapped pieces, so the surface remains somewhat taut and wrinkle free. That might take more than one meter, measure first before you order. I would need more than a yard.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on December 10, 2022, 12:24:48 PM
Daughter has just requested silk pillowcases. Their bed is super king-size & she can't find that size to buy. Where should I start looking for fabric? Sounds like I need 20momme silk charmeuse from this reply. She wants white so I'm guessing a bridal supplier?
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Acorn on December 10, 2022, 13:00:08 PM
If you find one, please tell me!  I never have the courage to buy silk online because I just don't know what to look for.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: BrendaP on December 10, 2022, 13:00:25 PM
Looking at the prices of silk charmeuse
https://beckfordsilk.co.uk/product/silk-charmeuse-natural-white/ (https://beckfordsilk.co.uk/product/silk-charmeuse-natural-white/)
and
https://silktime-on.com/en/silk-280-cm-wide/627-fabric-silk-charmeuse-off-white-22-mm.html (https://silktime-on.com/en/silk-280-cm-wide/627-fabric-silk-charmeuse-off-white-22-mm.html)
I think you will be financially better to purchase ready made pillowcases!

https://uk.blissy.com/collections/pillowcases (https://uk.blissy.com/collections/pillowcases)

Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on December 10, 2022, 17:27:13 PM
Thanks for those links @BrendaP . The problem is that DD's pillows are super king size so ready made silk ones are too small. Tomorrow she'll drop off one so I can measure it but it looks as though I can buy a metre of 280 wide silk for 100€ plus VAT & delivery 😱 which would make 24 off 50*70 . They'd have to have zips as there wouldn't be enough for envelope style.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: realale on December 10, 2022, 17:49:02 PM
. They'd have to have zips as there wouldn't be enough for envelope style.
The envelope bit wouldn't necessarily have to be silk though @Lachica. As it's 'inside' the pillowcase - depends on the style you are doing I suppose.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on December 10, 2022, 17:53:40 PM
Ooh, good thinking @realale!
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: charley on December 10, 2022, 22:16:30 PM
Beckford silk also do silk pillow cases, as well as fabric; super king and standard size. The prices though  :o
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on December 10, 2022, 23:18:53 PM
Thanks so much @charley. I'd looked at their silk & reckoned I could make a pair for about £77 but at £38.40 each I'll let them do the work.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on December 11, 2022, 10:01:03 AM
Is it just me that had no idea you can get king size pillows for bigger beds??  :S  :o
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: BrendaP on December 11, 2022, 10:04:25 AM
@Bodgeitandscarper I didn't know that.

Do the super king size duvet sets (cover and pillowslips) come with extra big pillowcases?
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Sewbusy on December 11, 2022, 10:05:08 AM
@Lachica  How about making the pillowcases with only the 'face' fabric from the expensive silk and use a matching colour but different fabric for the 'back' side, use something less likely to slide? Two for the price of one that way?
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Bumblebuncher on December 11, 2022, 10:27:24 AM
Is it just me that had no idea you can get king size pillows for bigger beds??  :S  :o
No, it is not!  I am wondering how big they are!  Are they just longer or wider or deeper?  I have a king size bed and can't see much room for more pillow than I already have.
Fascinating!
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Celia on December 11, 2022, 10:30:00 AM
@Lachica  How about making the pillowcases with only the 'face' fabric from the expensive silk and use a matching colour but different fabric for the 'back' side, use something less likely to slide? Two for the price of one that way?

That sounds like an excellent idea
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Lachica on December 11, 2022, 11:25:58 AM
Excellent ideas thanks peeps! We've always had a UK king-size and use standard size pillows. DD & partner have always had a Super KS which is the same as a US King. until the last couple of years they've had trouble buying big enough bedding for it. (Just as we had trouble getting KS bedding in 1979).

 @Bodgeitandscarper @BrendaP  I didn't know there was such a thing as super KS pillows until 2 days ago either! Pillowcases are 50*90.

These https://mayfairsilk.com/products/mayfairsilk-pillowcase-brilliant-white-25-momme-finest-100-pure-mulberry-silk-envelope-style
come beautifully wrapped but 😱 £152/pair.
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: coffeeandcake on December 11, 2022, 11:27:08 AM
We have a super king-size bed and our super king size pillows are longer than standard. Duvet sets in the UK all seem to be supplied with standard size pillowcases. I generally buy my sets in the US when we're there. If I buy a set here I deconstruct the pillowcases to make them fit the pillows.

Eta cross posted with @Lachica re pillow size
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Bumblebuncher on December 11, 2022, 12:26:19 PM
I literally sat her and went 'oooh, didn't know that', then OH gave me one of his stop talking to yourself looks  :laughing:
Title: Re: Silk pillowcases
Post by: Morgan on December 11, 2022, 17:14:38 PM
Various types of silk by the metre - Whaleys
https://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/a-z/silk-fabric