This topic covers both silk gauze and silk floss.

Silk Floss

Cross-stitch designs done in silk have a beautiful quality all their own. Silk floss is very delicate, comes in skeins of 4 or 6 strands and needs to be sewn with high quality needles. As with all specialty threads, use a shorter length for silk, as it tangles very easily. You can use silk floss on just about any count of fabric, even silk gauze. To prepare your silk, strip each strand then put together however many strands you need. This will increase the sheen of your stitches, as will stitching with a laying tool to keep your stitches flat. Most silk can be rinsed prior to stitching for colourfastness. However, check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure it's not dry-clean only. Silk floss is often used in fly tying, so if you are missing any colours, check your fisherman husband's fly kit.

Silk is available in more than just floss. There is silk ribbon, available in a variety of widths, the smallest usually about 2mm. Silk ribbon is often hand painted or hand dyed, sometimes with a slight to pronounced variegated effect. Silk chenille is a fuzzy thread, but it cannot be stripped down. Chenille can be used on the lower to mid-range cloth counts with good effect. Silk pearl is similar to cotton pearl, but is shinier. Silk pearl is easiest to stitch with if you run it through a lightly dampened sponge first, as it tangles very easily. If your hands are dry or rough, the silk may cling to them. Use a stitch-friendly hand cream-one that is non-greasy and won't stain your floss or fabric.