Sewing Projects

Sensuous Silk Scarf

Make a beautiful, colour co-ordinated scarf using softest silks and microwave dyes. They make fabulous gifts for Christmas.
BY CAROLINE MUNNS

MATERIALS

* Microwave dyes (we used Arty’s Quick Colour microwave dyes)
* Plain silk scarf or 114 x 28 cm (45 x 11”) Ponge silk (or similar weight)*
* Microwave bowl and microwave cling film
* Microwave oven
* Rubber gloves

* If making a scarf from fabric, hem all edges using a rolled hem before proceeding with dyes.

Steps to make

1. Wet the silk with water, and wring out so that it is slightly damp and then fold, tie or scrunch as follows  before placing in the microwave bowl.

- For a marble effect, casually scrunch-up the silk
- For a tie-dye effect, twist/pleat (take hold of both ends of the fabric and twist it so that it looks like a rope). Coil it into the bowl.
- Tie with thread or string to make a repeat pattern
- Fold the silk into squares for an interesting repeat pattern – try a simple design like the petals of a flower.

2. Drop the dyes onto the silk using the dropper end of the bottle - this can be as random as you like, or in rows of colours to give a more structured effect.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, turn the silk over carefully, and fill in any areas on the other side that do not have enough dye on. White areas can be left on the silk while dyeing, which will give brighter colours, or you can cover all of the silk with colours, which will give a deeper look to the scarf as the colours will merge more.

4. Cover the bowl with microwave cling film, or with a lid with two sheets of kitchen roll underneath to make it more airtight. Microwave for 4 to 5 minutes at 450 watt.

5. Carefully remove the bowl, and peel off the film (steam may escape so keep fingers and face away). The silk should be virtually dry when you remove it.

6. Rinse the silk through to remove any excess dye and then press it on the reverse with a hot iron (no steam) while it is still slightly damp.

Tips on microwave dyeing

1. Handle the silk and bowl with care as they will probably be very hot after fixing the dyes.
2. Experiment with different ways of dying silk, and remember to try it out first to check the timing in your microwave.
3. Keep room well ventilated.
4. Supervise children very closely when using heat and microwaves and do not leave the microwave unattended while in use.

Stockist Information

Rainbow Silks can supply microwave Scarf Kits  which includes basic red, yellow, blue and black dyes, along with a Ponge 5 silk scarf, ready-hemmed, size 114 x 28 cm. The dyes, scarves and silk by the metre can also be purchased separately from Rainbow Silks.

Arty’s Quick Colour microwave dyes come in handy 30ml tube with dropper end, ready to use. The very concentrated, vivid colours give fantastic effects in only 3-4 minutes. 12 glowing colours available in DQC1002 Yellow, DQC1004 Orange, DQC1007 Red, DQC1010 Pink, DQC1013 Violet, DQC1016 Ultramarine, DQC1019 Turquoise, DQC1017 Dark Blue, DQC1028 Green, DQC1034 Brown, DQC1038 Cognac, DQC1043 Black. 

For further details of the kits, components or Arty's catalogue, contact Rainbow Silks at: 6 Wheelers Yard, High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 0AL. Tel: 01494 862111, fax: 01494 862651, email: caroline@rainbowsilks.co.uk. Website: www.rainbowsilks.co.uk.

This project has been reproduced with the kind permission of Sewing World magazine. For details of the magazine, visit the website: www.sewingworldmagazine.com