Dupioni Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy

Introduction to Dupioni Fabric

Plain-weave Dupioni fabric is a sharp woven fabric with a fine texture. It is a 100 percent silk fabric that is tightly woven. The fabric keeps you cool in the summer while warm in the winter. It is one of the best silk fabrics used to make various clothing.

Dupioni can be woven into plaids, multicolored patterns, floral designs, and complicated motifs, while at the same time, it can also be embroidered. Designers and customers alike can use the finest and best embroidery machines to get the products they desire. 

What is the History of Dupioni Fabric?

According to most scholars, a fiber that could reflect light was generated by the larvae of the regional Bombyx mori moth and discovered by the Chinese around 2570 BCE.

The abundance was so remarkable that China’s leadership insisted on perfect transparency, even threatening to execute anyone who revealed the purportedly infinite wealth almost growing on trees in the countryside.

Properties of Dupioni Fabric

• Drapes well
• It has an elegant texture
• It has a highly-lustrous surface
• It is strong and more sturdy than other such silk fabrics.
• Is Highly absorbent

How is Dupioni Fabric Made?

The fabric is made using silkworms. A silk cocoon is spun by two silkworms working together to make Dupioni silk, which is robust, twofold Silk that is strong and durable. It is difficult to work with this yarn because, despite its smoothness, the Silk is tough and unpredictable.

The fabric has slubs on its surface. This is because the raw Silk is harvested from the cocoons of these silk caterpillars. The term Slubs is basically when the yarn is uneven, being thinner at some ends while thicker at some.

Where is Dupioni Fabric Made?

For hundreds of years, the countries of India, China, Thailand, and Japan have produced Dupioni fabric, a fabric made entirely of Silk. While these countries do act as producers of the fabric, to outline a single major producer would-be India.

One of the leading producers of Dupioni Fabric, India, has been doing this for a long, long time. In the city of Varanasi, the Ansari community’s weavers have been making textiles in local villages for years. Hence, satisfying the demand of the Indian community.

Common uses of Dupioni Fabric   

Dupioni fabric is used for a wide range of apparel and décor. The elegant fabric is considered a luxury clothing item.

Daily and bridal wear

The fabric is used for making skirts, blouses for women’s wear, and jackets. The fabric is quite popular for being used in making bridal wear due to the shiny and shimmery surface of the fabric,

Home décor

The fabric is used for home accessories like table cloths, chairs, sofas, pillow sheets, placemats, curtains, cushion covers, etc. Thus, the fabric has a wide range of internal applications. 

Sewing with Dupioni fabric

Sewing with this fabric isn’t as hard as it seems. The textured fabric is best suited for structured clothing that needs to have a perfect fitting. A textured weft should be used when sewing with Dupioni fabric. You should use a thin hand sewing needle; a 10/70 needle is preferred. 

You have to use a new needle every time you start sewing the fabric. Also, when sewing with dupioni fabric, an underling is preferred to make the fabric stronger. As the fabric is stable enough to sustain heavy textures, sewing patterns and embroidery of different kinds can be sewed.

Hence, you can sew the fabric according to your taste and preference using an array of colorful sewing threads and the right sewing notions and supplies. 

Dyeing with Dupioni fabric

Generally, silk fabrics don’t take dye up well as the fabric is made of Silk while the thread is not. However, Dupioni fabric can be dyed easily. You can get various coloring options using all-purpose dyes like the Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye.

How to care for Dupioni Fabric?

Dupioni fabric should be handled carefully. Otherwise, the fabric can wrinkle and won’t stay the same.

Washing

• It is better to dry clean Dupioni fabric
• Otherwise, if washing, use a mild detergent on the fabric for not more than 5 minutes.
• Soak the fabric in Vinegar which can act as a neutralizer for soap 
• Now wash in cool water to remove the smell of Vinegar
• Allow the material to dry

Ironing

• Place the fabric on an ironing board and cover it with a piece of cloth
• Using a shark steam pro iron, set it to a cool setting which will allow wrinkles to be removed
• Do not leave the iron in a single place for too long
• Use airing to dry out the fabric

Storing and caring

• Keep the fabric in a dry and cold environment
• Do not expose it to the sun
• Do use freshening sprays near the fabric. Those will leave stains

Where to buy Dupioni Fabric?

Dupioni Fabric can be bought at fabric and garment shops. Customers can also buy it through online retailers and websites like https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB, which has the best Dupioni Fabric available—ranging from the normal Dupioni Silk to the Faux Dupioni silk.

It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;

• By yard
• By Inches
• Can be cut to order

Price

The fabric is costly and expensive since the fabric is entirely made of Silk. And Silk is considered a luxurious commodity.

Dupioni is a type of textured silk fabric that features signature slubs that usually run horizontally across the fabric. It is usually tightly woven, shiny, and is known for its full-bodied drape. Dupioni silk is generally quite durable and unlike some silks and silkier fabrics, it is quite often surprisingly easy to work with and sew. There are many other great benefits to sewing with dupioni silk. It is breathable, resists wrinkling, and doesn’t stretch out. Dupioni silk is fairly versatile and can be used for anything from apparel items to household and décor accents.

Best Dupioni Fabrics

Here are our dupioni fabric reviews.

1. Dupioni Silk

Because of the weave of the silk, dupioni silk features a characteristic slub texture that runs across the fabric. This fabric also has the characteristic, lustrous dupioni sheen. This dupioni silk is wonderfully soft and drapes beautifully. This line is very versatile and can be used for many different apparel projects. Bridal items, jackets, skirts, blouses, and dresses can all be made with dupioni, as can window treatments, bedding, pillows, and other home décor accessories and accents.

• Fabric must be hand washed or dry cleaned
• This line of fabric comes in twenty different colors to choose from
• This lightweight fabric is made from 100% silk

2. Fabricut Style: Luxury Silk

This line of silk has both the slub texture and the lustrous sheen that is the signature of dupioni fabric. While some lines of dupioni fabric are quite affordable, this line is a luxury line and is priced accordingly. This fabric is soft, drapes well, and is versatile enough to be used for both apparel items as well as many different household projects.

• This line comes in almost eighty different colors
• Fabric is dry clean only
• This fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% silk

3. Temp Fabrics Dupioni Silk

This line of dupioni silk fabrics features the signature slub texture, but it has more of a matte sheen. It does have a full-bodied drape that is perfect for making a whole host of different projects. While this silk can be used for fancier blouses, skirts, jackets, dresses, and other formal apparel, it is also durable enough to be used for bedding, drapery, tabletop décor, or other household accessories.

• Dry clean only
• Comes in 54” widths
• This fabric is very lightweight and is 100% silk and has been hand-painted

4. 58″ Faux Dupioni Silk

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford real silk, buying a faux dupioni could be a good option. Surprisingly, the faux dupioni silk also features the slub texture that dupioni is so well known for and also has a beautiful, lustrous sheen. Dupioni silk is also known for the beautiful way that it drapes, and this fabric also features a full-bodied drape.

• Like real dupioni silk, this fabric is also very versatile and can be used to make both apparel and household items
• This fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% polyester
• This line of fabric is available in over fifteen different colors

5. Ramtex Inc. 120” Faux Dupioni

For those that can’t afford dupioni made with 100% silk, buying a faux dupioni is the next best thing. This dupioni comes in specialty wide widths that can make sewing projects like bedding, drapery, and even some apparel items much easier and faster. This fabric is budget-friendly, and has a full-bodied drape, a matte sheen, and a slub texture.

• Dry clean only
• Fabric is very lightweight
• Made from 100% polyester

Dupioni Fabric Buying Guide

You might think that silk fabrics are hard or fussy to work with, but that’s not always the case. Dupioni silk or faux dupioni can often be quite easy to work with. Dupioni is often a popular choice because of the many great benefits of the fabric, but also because it is durable, beautiful, classy, elegant, and drapes well. Dupioni also comes in many different colors and widths, making it easy to customize for a whole host of different projects.

Versatility

Dupioni fabric is lightweight and soft enough to make many different apparel items, but it is also durable enough to stand up to tougher household and everyday use. Dupioni can make wonderful jackets, dresses, and blouses. It is a very popular choice for wedding gowns, as well as for bridesmaid dresses. Dupioni fabric can also be used to make beautiful drapes, table cloths or table runners, accent cushions, pillows, bedding, and more. The fabric is generally dry clean only and has almost no stretch, which is important to consider before beginning any project.

Budgeting

Dupioni fabric that is made from 100% silk can be quite expensive, while others that are still made from 100% silk can be more middle of the line as far as pricing goes. If you’re on a tight budget, looking into buying a faux dupioni might not be as questionable as it sounds. Faux dupioni features the same slub texture, beautiful sheen, and full-bodied drape that many of the real silk dupioni fabrics do. They are generally also only dry clean only. Keep in mind that if you would like the properties of silk, faux dupioni won’t offer all of the same properties, as it is generally made from polyester, which is a synthetic fiber. Faux dupioni is very budget-friendly though, which is an important aspect to consider, especially for larger projects.

Recommended Reading:

• Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
• Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
• Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
• Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
• Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

Conclusion

As the “queen of materials,” Dupioni fabric has earned its reputation. In terms of beauty, texture, and practicality, Dupioni Fabric is the best material on the market today. The fabric’s tiny bumps are indications that natural fibers have bonded together. Dupioni fabric is a joy to work with because it is supple and easy to manipulate.

Craftspeople can utilize sturdy, crisp fabric for various creative projects since it doesn’t slide when sewn. You can choose from a wide range of colors, including creamy whites, rich jewel tones, and beautiful pastels.

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Sources

• Avad Textil
• Fabriclore
• Wikipedia
• Sew guide
• Beauty. bg fashion