Silks for Use in Magic, available from Dancing Spring Magic

Dancing Spring Magic
111 Castle Circle
Crossville, TN 38555-6863

Phone 931-788-5272
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Silks in Magic

Just getting started in magic? Magic with silks will be hard to beat. All in one package you have flash, color, and fascination. Professional illusions range from productions to vanishes. Color changes. Penetrations. Sizes from hankies to foulards for performance close-up, in parlors or on stage. And much more.

Pure silk is the most expensive fiber around -- it's made from the cocoon of the silkworm, well, more correctly stated, the silk moth. And, it takes around six pounds of cocoons to make just one pound of silk, and it takes an hour to do, as well. But, oh, is it luxurious.

Don't fret. In magic we use a wide variety of silk. Differences in quality mean differences in price, too. That's why you want to pay attention to what you are buying... Often in magic any cloth intended for the purpose is called a "silk." That's just the way it is.

Silk originated in China well over 4,000 years ago, but the art of making silk spread to India, the other major producer, about 1,000 years ago. Silk has several qualities of which we take advantage in magic. Its proteins feel very much like human skin, which is why it feels so nice. When magicians use a fine silk, and the spectator touches it, then the performer's image is often actually enhanced. Really! It holds bright colors, too, and drapes beautifully, so it is a treat for the eyes. It is soft and elastic, so it packs into tight places -- which makes for incredible productions -- and then springs back when released. It is also a very strong fabric, and wears well.

Hint: When woven from continuous filaments, it is properly called Pure Silk. Spun Silk, on the other hand, is made from shorter lengths. Wild Silks tend to be thicker than the purest cultivated silks, but they are often actually stronger.

Take care of your silks, and they will last a long time. Some need to be dry cleaned, but most can be washed by hand. Inexpensive or poorly made silks may stiffen, however, and can lose their shades or sheen after a lot of washing. Some varieties may even shrink. So, testing is advisable. After all, you are on your own with any fabric you buy, anywhere.

With that in mind, you might try soaking in lukewarm water with a mild soap in solution. Rinse in cool water until the soap is completely gone. Some people recommend soaking again with a bit of vinegar in the water, to help neutralize any soap that is left. Rinse again in cool water. One method of drying is to roll the silk in a towel rather than squeezing out the water. Then let it lay flat on a towel. You can often iron a silk, provided you use a low or medium temperature iron, while the silk is still a bit damp. Again, the watchword is "test."

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