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The world of textiles is more to us than just a livelihood – it’s a higher calling. Not just things of beauty, fabrics are something we study, test, and talk a blue streak about to anyone who will listen. Our detailed and painstakingly researched articles contain a wealth of information, including many little-known facts. Of course, silk is our specialty and gets the bulk of our attention. We like to think you won’t find so much information about it anywhere else. The lead author of our fabrics series is Ada Bartlova, an established fashion blogger and intrepid successor to a long line of professional tailors.
Useful tips guaranteed to make working with this beautiful fabric easy and enjoyable. Get perfect results every time.
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Can you wash silk? And how? We decided to find out. See our great silk washing test.
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Choose the right thread for sewing machines and hand sewing every time with our complete guide.
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Ever wondered about sewing machine needles? Don’t know what size to use on your project? Our sewing needle cheat sheet comes to the rescue!
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How well do you know your cotton fabrics? Would that dress be better in batiste, lawn, or muslin? Cotton is more than t-shirts and quilting squares. It comes in a whole range of great options, many of which you’ll find in stock here at Sartor. This little glossary gives you the low-down on the usual suspects.
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How can you tell if a given fabric is organic? Safe for sensitive skin? That it’s not the product of child labor? These things matter, and the answers are usually at your fingertips. Just like food or cosmetics, fabrics have their own certifications for sustainability and fair trade that can help you make an informed decision. You just need to recognize what the tag is telling you.
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Let’s talk about cotton. It’s the natural fiber we all take for granted, but just how well do you know it? Can you tell a first-rate cotton from a cheap throwaway? And what makes the difference?
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Linen is an ancient fabric that’s well worth getting to know better. Practical, easy to care for, and very durable, it’s superior, in any number of ways, to cotton. What’s more, today’s modern linen is soft and comfortable—and it comes in an array of colors and patterns to suit any taste. Versatile linen can be used for just about anything!
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As you browse our silk selection, you may be mystified by the abbreviation “mm” in our fabric weight column. Millimeters? No. The mm stands for momme (pronounced moe-mee), a traditional measure of silk weight that comes to us from Japan. What can it tell us? Read on for enlightenment.
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Planning a summer dress, you go online to pick out some linen but there’s so much to choose from in various weights. Is 160 gsm too much or just right? Here’s the lowdown on linen fabric weights so you can choose with confidence every time.
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Fabric weight is one of the key elements in any fabric description. It’s an indicator of what a cloth is actually made of and what it could be good for. In online fabric shops you’ll find it listed alongside textile content and width, in brick-and-mortar shops it’s on the sticker at the end of the bolt. So, what exactly does it tell you?
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A good tailor is the cure for all that ails you. But how to pick the right one for you? Whether you want to save the planet, need something that flatters your figure, or just want to look great, a good tailor is the key. But how does it work? What should you expect? This article takes you through the process of identifying a good tailor and working with them to produce the results you want.
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Once little more than a substitute for natural silk, rayon is starting to look a lot like the material of the future. EcoVero, its latest iteration, is an eco-friendly fiber that outperforms not just synthetics in terms of environmental responsibility, but many natural fibers as well.
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Silk pillowcases are having a moment, and it’s no wonder. Not only are they a dream to sleep on, they keep your skin hydrated and even prevent bedhead. We’ll look at what the fuss is all about and help you choose the right fabric to make your own. Find out what silk can do for your beauty sleep.
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Did you know there’s more than one kind of natural silk? It’s true, and not only do different silk moths made different kinds of silk, there are also different types depending on the quality of the yarn itself and how it was made. Each kind of silk has its own characteristics that you should know if you plan to wear it. To make an educated choice it’s good to know the basics. So, here we go!
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That silk dress was a real find, but – d’oh! – the tag says dry clean only. At a loss? Here are a few tips on finding a good cleaner. It’s easier than you may think and it’s certainly worth the effort. If you’ve been living in jeans and a t-shirt and this is your first foray into the world of professional cleaning, take a deep breath and read on. Levels of service and know-how can vary widely but a good dry cleaner can be worth their weight in gold. Choose wisely (we tell you how) and your clothes will thank you.
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Wool is the ultimate cold-weather warrior. Here’s a look at the many varieties that are out there, what makes them each special, and tips on how to tell if what you’re looking at is even wool to begin with. We’ll cover all the bases, from soft merino to virgin wool, recycled wools and fine worsteds. They all have a place in our wardrobes in everything from warm overcoats and sweaters to thermal underwear. Why not get to know them better?
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You don’t need an advanced degree in textiles or years of expertise working with fabrics in order to recognize whether what you’re buying is natural silk. All you need is a little knowledge and a dose of caution.
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Name a sturdy, breathable, natural fabric… what comes to mind? If the first thing to pop into your head is linen, you’re not alone. But today we’re talking about ramie, an exotic alternative to linen that offers great potential for home decor and garment making.
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Does pure linen bedding make you think of a modern, eco-friendly household? Or a rustic cottage? Linen is a unique material with undeniable charm. It is durable, comfortably cool, easy to care for, and a dream to sleep in. If you’ve been flirting with the idea of sewing a linen duvet cover, this article will answer all of your questions.
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Silk is an absolute classic, sought after for its beauty and exquisite softness, shunned for its price tag and supposed frailty. But is natural silk really so expensive or so impractical? How many kinds of silk are out there? And what makes silk so utterly irresistible? Let us clear up some questions (and bust some myths) for one of nature’s most intriguing materials.
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Silk bedding is a luxury you can treat yourself to every night. Make your own duvet cover and tuck yourself in without spending a king’s ransom. This guide will help you navigate our silk selection to choose just the right fabric for dreamy results.
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How well do you know your silk fabrics? Dupioni, serge, habotai… don’t be dismayed if it sounds like the roster of some pirate ship to you. We’ll help clear away some of the mystery and explain the types of silk fabric and what sets them apart. We’ll cover terminology, characteristics, tricks and tips for sewing, and which projects call for which fabrics. No two silks are the same.
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Ever wonder what those funny symbols on care labels mean? The washtub, the triangle, that little box with a circle inside? Get your decoder rings ready! This overview gives you the key to decipher what the manufacturer is trying to say. Now you’ll always know just how to wash, dry, and press your clothes. Never be vexed by the hieroglyphs on a care tag again!
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