I work w dupioni all the time. I wash it before sewing and also tooss it in the dryer. and after. You'll need to press it maybe or just get it out of the dryer right away.

Colors may bleed the first few washings.

I've heard you shouldn't use a steam iron (only dry) on silk dupioni. Have some but haven't sewn with it yet. I also thought line dry.

So you don't have a problem washing it at all? how do you wash it? I am assuming you use only cold water.
I am so happy to hear it can be washed though! yay!
Every site I read on said that if you wash it it doesn't look as nice and it needs to be dry cleaned (which I just won't do!!!)
Do you think the silk will be ok for a duvet? I only use it during the winter and usually wash it 2x during that time. So it won't be used all year long.
-renee

I wash it in cold water with a cold water rinse. It will seem stiff and weird and then ironing it will return it to the wonderful texture. And yes I use a steam iron all the time and never had a problem.

Do you put the iron directly on the fabric or do you put a towel down first ? If you put it in the dryer do you use your low heat setting? My dryer gets VERY hot so I am not sure if that would ruin the silk.
thanks for all your help!!!
-renee

Nice to know aboput the washability of dupioni.I've washed lots of silks, & it usually does fine, but I washed some shantung awhile back & it became fuzzy & lost its finish = (

FWIW, if you're concerned about marking the fabric, use a pressing cloth.A 12"-18" square of thin, washed muslin works well...

I use a low setting for the dryer and a low setting for the iron, but I don't hesitate to use steam, Dupioni ravels terribly so make sure you finish all the edges and seams.
I serge the edges before the first wash too so as not to lose a few inches.

Yes, I was wondering about that. Only problem is that I don't have a serger. I guess I am living in the dark ages!
Do you think a zig zag stitch would be ok? Maybe I should just buy a serger.
Mmmm Christmas is going to be here soon!!!!

-renee

a zig zag is fine, but definitely do something at the edge or you lose too much fabric

FWIW, you don't even HAVE to have a zigzag stitch - closely spaced straight stitching 1/8" or so from raw edge will serve the same purpose.

HTH