Caring For Taffeta

Taffeta has a crisp drape and may be gathered into a lofty fullness.  Pleats hold a sharp crease.  Fabric is moderately easy to cut and sew, but pins and needles may leave holes.  Choose close-fitting, fitted, or semi-fitted styles to make draperies, petticoats, dresses, evening wear, bridal wear, and linings.  Extremely difficult to iron.  Drycleaning is strongly recommended. 


What to expect with Taffeta:
  • easy to cut out
  • reversible; both sides of the fabric look the same
  • pins and needles may leave holes, marks
  • creases easily
 
Wearability:
  • strong and durable
  • long-wearing
  • wears evenly
  • resists abrasion
  • resists snags
  • holds its shape
  • tends to wrinkle
  • water drops leave spots or marks

Suggested care:
  • dryclean only
  • dry iron
  • may fade, bleed or shrink slightly
 
Sewing rating (easy to hard): easy
Suggested clothing fit: fitted, semi-fitted, or loose-fitting
Suggested styles: pressed pleats and tucks; lofty gathers; puffed or bouffant


Silk’s Limitations:
Silk is regarded as nature's most perfect fiber, but even perfection has its limitations:
  • Soap and agitation - Silk's smooth surface does not attract dirt and is easily cleaned, but silk can be damaged by most laundry detergents - so always dry clean your silk.  Silk loses strength when wet, so do not wring or agitate.
  • Bleach - Silk is easily damaged by strong bleaches that contain sodium hypochlorite. 
  • Heat and light - Silk is sensitive to heat and begins to decompose at 330 degrees fahrenheit.  Use a warm (not hot) iron.
  • Mildew and moths - Silk will not mildew except in extreme conditions.  Moths don't care for it, but carpet beetles do.
  • Perspiration - Perspiration causes silk to deteriorate and affects the color, causing staining.  Any silk worn next to the skin should be cleaned frequently.