I have a trick where you need to crumple up a silk handkercheif and then turn it into a rose head.

It needs to have the creases to be removed.

So I wanna know, Is it safe to iron silk without destroying it?

Use low temperature and you will not have any trouble. However, try lying it flat or folded in a zip loc bag with the air burbed out. If you wet the silk and put it on a mirror or glass surface, it will dry and fall off without the wrinkles.

Richard

You can also try to "steam press" the silks. It's like the one used by Laundry shops.

Sal

Be careful with the steam press on printed silks. It could cause the dyes to run.

Richard

I use the mirror technique as Richard describes and it works great. Richard you rule when it comes to silks and feather flower magic.

I use a regular iron on its lowest temperature setting with minimal steam. It makes the silk come out smooth without causing the dye to run.

THIS WORKS GREAT!!!
How simple. How elegant. How easy.

Someone please email Richard a Beer for me!!!

If you ever saw what silks go through before they get to market, you would never fear ironing silks. Look at the new 2mm flat hems. (Yes, actually "flat" is different from simply "sewn down" to just pucker later. And they are square!)

Art silks and some printed silks are a different story depending on the processes used to put the images and colors onto or into (both are possible) the silks. The problem is not the silk!

There is a big difference in steaming a silk and ironing a wet silk. A wet silk may stick to the iron. That can cause a whole set of new problems. Likewise, any process that will snag or puncture a silk isn't recommended.

I've been in the import business since 1969. Magicians' silks are something I import and have used for forty-four years.

Never have I lost a silk to ironing!

(We often joke that the greatest threats to silk are magic and magicians. Try to avoid poking them in the center. It seldom tears the silk but it will separate the weave.)

Enjoy your silk magic.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

When ever I get new silks (like yesterday) I iron them asap. But there are still traces of the creases. Any ideas how to get them out (aside from time).

Derek Merdinyan

We carry a little portable steamer on the road with us. You live in a damp environment too. Just hanging might work.

Even ironed in creases will usually iron right out with a hot iron.

Bob
Magic By Sander

Wetting the silk and putting on the glass will work. Don't mix colors when you do it.

Richard

I iron my silk shirts, why not a silk silk? Due to ignorance, if nothing else, I have ironed silks ever since I began using them about 20 years ago without a problem. Yes, occasionally a stubborn crease remains, and can be removed via Richard's glass method (but then you have more things to clean ... your windows and mirrors!), but for the most part simply use a standard iron at medium to low heat.

When using the mirror or glass trick, does one have the mirror/glass horizontal, or does one "stick" the wet silk to a vertical mirror/glass?

Sorry for sounding so dim!

Either way will work. I usually like it vertical so the water runs out faster.

Richard

That certainly is not a dumb question! The real bottom line is use what is available.

I have used counter tops, large windows, shower stall walls, shower doors, and bathtubs. I don't recommend these other surfaces because they are frequently dirty, soapy, poorly ventilated, etc. But they will work horizontally or vertically. What you are seeking is dry, flat, smooth, clean, safe, and a place where a falling silk can fall to safety.

Mirrors are simply larger and cleaner than most available surfaces. Often they are not large enough for your “wash day”. Then you’ll need Plan B.

Enjoy!

Bob
Magic By Sander

Thanks for the clarification, guys! Rest assured, at this stage, my "wash day" is not huge!

Nobody has too many silks until it is time to wash them!

Enjoy your silk magic.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Hi!

Yes it is safe to iron silks, but it is even safer to avoid ironing:) I learned from McBride`s DVD on stage magic that if you gently tie silks onto a magician rope and keep them hanging there they shall not wrinkle. This works for me:)

Regards

Wash in Woolite and steam iron. Put the iron on the silk setting. The wrinkles or creases will disappear like real magic. Don't forget to apply pressure while ironing and keep the iron moving.

I gotta hand it to Richard... Wetting silk and sticking it to a mirror makes the wrinkles just go away.

btw: what's an iron?