Satin Silk Sarees Are Smooth Creations From Silk

The Satin Silk Saree is a satin fabric made from silk. It is the fabric weave, resulting from a natural fibre such as silk or from synthetic fibers such as Rayon, Nylon or Polyester or any such, woven in a certain way. By its very definition, Satin is known to have a glossy surface or sheen on one side and a dull lacklustre finish on the other. When a natural fibre like cotton which has short staples is used to make Satin, it is known as Sateen.

Satin is generally used for making items of apparel, mostly for women. It also finds use in clothing accessories for men and interior furnishings.

The lustre of the Satin Silk Saree comes from a special arrangement of warp and weft threads during the weaving process. Warp is the lengthwise lay of thread i.e.threads stretched lengthwise on the beam for weaving. Weft is the thread which is led breadth wise across the warp threads; over, under or interwoven, through spool, shuttle or some other arrangement.

There are two ways that a satin fabric is woven. One with warp threads dominating or lying over the weft threads known as warp faced satin and the other with the weft threads lying over the warp threads known as weft faced satin.

The Satin Silk Saree is woven with interlacings of warp and weft but with a difference. The warp threads lie on top of the weft threads but the inter-weave is not continuous. The warp thread ‘floats’ or passes over two or more weft threads, goes under an equal number of them and again comes out. This is followed for the width of the saree. The next warp thread goes under the weft threads and similarly comes out after a fixed number of them. This forms a closely arranged diagonal pattern that has no gaps in between.

The gloss on the saree is achieved on account of this close arrangement of yarn or threads. This shine or lustre akin to silk has made many opine that a fabric woven as satin should only be considered so, if it is woven from silk. The Satin Silk Saree derives its strength and durability from the Silk yarn and its gloss or sheen from the Satin weave.

An appealing feature of the Satin Silk Saree is that it is a ‘breathing’ fabric, as compared to Satin sarees made from synthetic fibres.

Cost-wise, while Silk Satins would be the costliest, Polyester Satins could be the cheapest. The Satin Silk Saree is definitely cheaper than a Pure Silk Saree.

The care of the Satin Saree lies in the properties of the fibre that is used in its weaving. If it is a Satin Silk Saree, then as Silk is the base material,only dry cleaning is recommended. If a synthetic fibre be used to make the Saree, then based on the fibre, anywhere from hand wash to machine wash could be allowed.

There are interesting variations of the Satin Silk Saree that appeal to modern tastes.

Prachi.L She is a freelancer long associated with ethnic fabrics, known for her special leaning towards ethnic sarees. She enjoys the privilege of being a part-time consultant to Unnati Silks. S.E-mail her at unnatikaro@gmail.com.