Product description
This fabric woven of wild eri silk has a wonderful, almost velvety softness. It resembles a very fine cotton, but is so much lighter and has the subtle, matte sheen typical of wild silk. Wild eri is breathable and comfortable for sensitive skin.
Uses
Fine eri silk is a wonderful universal fabric. It can be elegant or casual depending on the cut and accessories you choose. Use it for a summer dress, a pretty top (its cottony feel means it doesn’t have the cooling effect of classic silk, so you can wear it in winter too), a shirt, an airy tunic, even a wedding dress. It drapes nicely, can be gathered and ruffled. Make it into a light scarf to keep off the chill or a shoulder wrap to complement a formal gown.
Qualities
In lighter shades this fine weave tends to be sheer, so we recommend a thin lining. Eri silk is fairly easy to handle, so it is good for those just starting to work with silk.
What is eri silk
Eri is one of the most popular wild silks. Unlike classic silk, it is derived from the empty cocoons left behind by the eri silk moth (Philosamia ricini), so the pupa inside is not harmed, a fact that has earned it the nickname peace silk.
Natural silk comes in a range of varieties that most people have never even heard of. You can find out more in our post on types of silk.
Care
We recommend dry cleaning this fabric at a reliable dry cleaner. In our tests of how to wash silk this fabric stood up to gentle hand washing. If you risk hand washing, use lukewarm water and a delicate detergent for woolens; do not wring or squeeze dry; block dry on a flat surface. Dry iron on the lowest setting. Avoid water droplets.