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Ingredients

Silk Hankie
and/or
Silk Top

plastic net, spraying bottle,
simple wallpaper glue, rubber gloves,
old newspapers, plastic foil, optional: wooden frame

Cover your workspace with the plastic and put some old newspapers on the plastic.
The top layer will be the plastic net.

When using hankies, separate the flimsy layers carefully: take the thick edge between two fingers and gently pull thea layer off. Pull this layer again to separate the fibres, do not pull the edge completely apart it does make a nice pattern. Put as many layers of hankies on the net as you like. The layers should be placed on top of each other in different angles. Use 3-4 layers for a regular sized silk paper. This means 3-4 layers of the separated hankies, not a complete one as they are packaged. Spray some water on top for easier handling and put another net on top.

You can use a wooden frame to mount the hankies to get a very thin silk paper. Put some nails in the edge of the frame, very close to the inner edge. Push one end of one layer of hankie over a nail on one side of the frame. Pull it to push it on a nail on another side and so forth until it is fixed on all four sides. Then take a new layer and put it on the frame in the same way using different nails to get a different angle. Repeat this until you have the thickness you like. Put the frame on top of the net, the hankie facing the net. Then put another net in the inner opening of the frame.

Tops have to be pulled into small shapes similar to wool roving for felting. The fibres should be approx. 5-10 cm long. Put these shapes onto the net and have the shapes overlap each other. Use at least two layers, putting the top layer in a right angle onto the shape of the previous layer. Put as many layers on top as you like. BUT: the more layers you use the more difficult it is to rub the wallpaper glue into all layers.

Hang the complete "Sandwich" on a drying rack with clothespins, do not lay it flat. Let it dry comletely before taking it off and pulling the net from the silk. Do not put it in direct sunlight. If you used the frame, let it drie on the frame while it is rests flat on the table.

If you want to avoid having the pattern of the net on both sides of the paper but have a rather smooth surface on one side, work on a stainless steel or a glass table and let the paper rest there until it is completely dry. Once you pull it off you have a rather shiny surface on one side.

If you want to use Silk Paper for clothing you need to substitute wallpaper glue with a textile medium. This is usually available from artists stores.

Both materials are well suited for felting with the hand needle or the embellisher. This can be used on clothing as well. It is a rather quick way to embellish jackets, blouses, pants or mend small holes in a very creative way!