The process of making silk paper is simple andrequires no special tools or equipment. Silk paper is made by simply laying silk fibres or Silk Tops between two pieces of Nylon Tulle and spraying the silk fibres with soap and water and then applying Fibre Fix or Textile Medium to fix the fibres together permanently. The result of this fusion of silk and medium is a sheet of shimmering silk paper.

Process...

1. Cover the work area

with plastic sheeting or

newspaper.

2. Pour or squeeze dishwashing

liquid into one

spray bottle and add water

to the dishwashing liquid.

e.g. 50 ml dishwashing

liquid to 200 ml water.

3. Pour 50 ml Textile

Medium or Fibre Fix into one

spray bottle and dilute this

by half with water. e.g. 50

ml Medium to 50 ml Water.

(Note: Both of these solutions

can be stored in the spray

bottles for up to 2 weeks).

4. Start to work in the tray

by laying flat one sheet of

Nylon Tulle on to the base of

the tray.

5. Begin to place Silk Tops

on to the Tulle (this process

is similar to preparing Wool

Tops for felting). Holding the

Silk Tops in one hand, gently

pull away tufts of fibre

using the other hand. (Note:

Holding the Silk Tops approx.

20cm away from the other

hand will allow the fibre to

pull free from the end of the

silk.)

6. Start to lay Silk Tops on

the Tulle. Depending on

the thickness you require,

lay one or two layers of Silk

Tops (perhaps placing one

layer horizontally and the

next one on top vertically to

maximize fibre fusion).

7. Proceed to cover the

Tulle, leaving at least a 3cm

border around the edges.

At this point you may add

decorative elements such as

glitter, yarn etc.

8. Place the second piece of

Tulle on to the Silk Tops and

spray the soapy mixture on

the Tulle (which sandwiches

the Silk Tops). Use your

hands or sponge, brush or

roller to work the soapy

mixture into the Silk Tops.

When you have wet the top

layer turn the Tulle over

and repeat on the opposite

side. Using a foam roller or

sponge, mop up any excess

soapy mixture. Pour off any

excess soapy mixture from

the tray.

9. Spray the medium (half

Fibre Fix and half water)

on to the Tulle which

sandwiches the Silk Tops.

Repeat the process as per

the soapy mixture; apply to

one side with a foam brush,

roller or hands (if using

hands please wear gloves).

Apply the Fibre Fix medium

quite liberally. This process

will ensure all of the silk

fi\bres are fused together.

10. Use a foam roller to

remove any excess medium.

The silk paper making

process is now complete. To

dry and finish the process,

keep the Tulle in place and

hang the wet silk on to a

clothes rack or line to drain

and dry. If drying inside,

place newspaper under

drying rack to collect any

excess medium. When the

silk paper is completely

dry, carefully peel away

the two layers of Tulle. Silk

paper may be ironed on the

silk setting if you require a

flatter sheet.