Silk Painters International - SPIN

When I first began painting on silk over 20 years ago, the thing to do was to use a large pot to set your dyed pieces. My first attempt at doing this resulted in the package falling into the water and my work was ruined. I then called Rupert, Gibbon (now Jacquard) and ordered their stove top unit, which I am still using;  not a bad investment. I also have a large bullet unit for larger pieces. However, before I got the latter, I used to fold my silk and use the stove top unit until someone said this would never work – well, it does work, if you do not roll the silk too tightly and place an extra piece of paper or muslin upon the area you wish to fold so you do not have a sharp crease.

After the work is completely dry, and all salt removed, place a piece of newsprint or muslin (or even thin non-iron on interfacing on a flat surface, then a layer of silk, another layer of paper, and continue this layering until you have about six or seven layers.

I never put more than this in the smaller unit. Make sure that the silk pieces do not touch each other. If you are using very dark colors, I recommend using a double layer of paper between the pieces. Roll carefully onto your dowel and secure with small pieces of masking tape. Cover the roll with a sheet of architect’s tracing paper, which is semi-waterproof, as insurance against condensation drip. I make this paper longer than my roll and seal it carefully at the ends onto the dowel, so there is no chance of condensation entering the end of the roll. I do not use foil, as the only time I used it, the roll was ruined, as too much moisture got through. Place the roll into the preheated unit. The water should be simmering; surface just breaking small bubbles; a rolling boil is not needed. Susan Louise Moyer told me aeons ago not to put my work into a cold steamer and I have never done so. I always listen to Susan’s advice! Check that your unit has enough water to complete the steaming. You may need to add a little water halfway through. When the steaming process is complete, remove the roll from the unit carefully – the roll is very hot. Unroll and admire!

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