Silk paper making

Written by Hilary McCarthy
Last updated 11 November 2007

Silk paper has an extraordinary quality. Its texture and lustre stop you in your tracks and make you want to touch it.

Silk fibres are available in a variety of forms, either dyed or undyed. The process of silk papermaking is very simple and you do not need any special tools or equipment.

There are lots of uses for silk paper. You can paint it, stitch into it, mould it, collage it, bead it, wax it, gild it, laminate it and wear it. It can be made into bowls, boxes, bags, book covers, masks and lampshades - each one a unique piece of art.

Workshop notes that will tell you the equipment you will need and a simple method for making silk paper at home can be downloaded here.