DEGUMMING IS THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE SERICIN, OR SILK GUM, FROM SILK. REMOVING THE GUM IMPROVES THE SHEEN, COLOR, HAND, AND TEXTURE OF THE SILK. BECAUSE THE GUM CAN SERVE AS A PROTECTIVE LAYER, IT IS TYPICALLY LEFT ON THE SILK UNTIL IT IS READY TO DYE. MOST OF US KNOW THESE RAW SILK FABRICS AS SILK ORGANZA.

Selective degumming removes one of the two proteins from the fiber in silk organza, otherwise known as raw silk. When this process is done in combination with shibori resist techniques, (itajime, Arashi, ori-nui) you can selectively have areas with the softness of habotai silk and other areas with the crispness of organza. This creates a beautiful fabric with a texture that dyeing techniques can further enhance. In this workshop, you will apply a selection of shibori techniques on raw silk fabrics in the morning. After lunch, these fabrics will be processed to remove the sericin protein and then over-dyed in indigo. There will be a materials fee of $40 for this class- You will receive 1 organza scarf and a piece of organza for practice. You may also bring your own Raw Silk Organza. For this class materials will be ordered from http://www.thaisilks.com/

SELECTIVE DE-GUMMING ON RAW SILK with Suzanne Connors