Silk Taffeta by the yard

Silk Taffeta Pronounced [Taf-i-tuh]
The word “Taffeta” is from the Persian word Taftah which is defined as a silken cloth derived from the verb taftan which means to shine, twist, spin.

Silk taffeta is a crisp lightweight fabric with a smooth lustrous finish with a slight crosswise rib and a characteristic rustle when moving. Taffeta made before 1930 may have been excessively weighted to produce a crisper fabric with the characteristic rustle or scroop. Heavily weighted silk taffeta will shatter or split easily.

Iridescent Silk Taffeta is created by using different colored warp and weft threads.

Silk Taffeta creases easily but underlining in a silk organza will minimize the creasing. Silk Taffeta garment designs need to be full, not fitted because taffeta does not ease well in seam lines.

Silk filament from one silk cocoon can measure from 1, 000 to 2, 000+ feet. The production of silk is labor intensive making it costly for consumers who value this fabric’s beauty and luster and will willingly pay the price.

When sewing on silk taffeta a sharp, new sewing machine needle in a small size is recommended. When pressing silk, an organza press cloth is suggested. Steam irons that spit or leak should be avoided as water spots cannot be removed without dry cleaning.