Is Tussar Silk Soft or Stiff? Understanding Its Texture

I’ve often wondered if tussar silk is a soft or stiff fabric.

As someone who loves incorporating natural fabrics into my wardrobe and home décor, understanding the texture of tussar silk can help me make informed choices when purchasing tussar products.

A Quick Intro to Tussar Silk

For those unfamiliar, tussar silk is a beautiful, textured silk fabric made from silkworms that feed on trees rather than mulberry leaves.

Tussar silk is known for its rich, deep color and has an earthy, rustic quality compared to other silks.

• Tussar silk originates from India, where it’s still widely produced today
• The production process gives it a distinctive texture that sets it apart from silks like mulberry and eri
• Understanding the unique texture of tussar silk can help determine suitable uses for this fabric

So is tussar silk soft or stiff? Or somewhere in between? Let’s take a deeper look.

Describing the Texture of Tussar Silk

When touching a piece of tussar silk fabric, you’ll notice it has a textured, grainy feel compared to the very smooth texture of mulberry silk.

Here are some key characteristics that describe the texture of tussar silk:

• It’s slightly stiff – Tussar silk has a bit more body than other silk fabrics. It’s not overly stiff, but has more structure that holds its shape.
• It has a nubby texture – Up close, you can see a grainy, uneven texture that comes from the short fibers used to spin tussar silk.
• It becomes softer with wear and washing – Though never as smooth as mulberry silk, tussar silk does soften up over time with use and gentle washing.

So while tussar silk may feel a bit stiff to the touch at first, it can soften up with some wear and care. The texture lies somewhere between a crisp cotton and a flowing silk charmeuse.

I researched the distinctions between tussar and mulberry silk, and found some useful insights.

What Contributes to the Texture of Tussar Silk?

A few key production factors influence the signature nubby texture of tussar silk:

• Fiber quality – The short fibers used to spin tussar silk yarns create variation in the thread thickness.
• Weaving method – Most tussar silk fabrics have a plain weave, which contributes to the structured drape.
• Minimal processing – Unlike mulberry silk, tussar silk undergoes fewer steps in production helping retain more of its natural texture.

Common Perceptions of Tussar Silk’s Texture

If you’ve read about or handled tussar silk yourself, you may have conflicting perceptions of its qualities. Some may describe it as a rough, stiff fabric, while others experience it as having a soft, suede-like feel.

So why the discrepancy? Here are a few reasons why perceptions of tussar silk can vary widely:

• Regional varieties – Indian tussar silk is typically less processed and has more texture than Chinese tussar silk fabrics.
• Customary use – In India, tussar silk is often used for sturdier items like jackets or sarees that utilize the fabric’s natural stiffness. For garments worn close to the skin, it may feel rougher than expected.
• Fabric finishes – Tussar silk can be treated with processes like calendering or emerising to smooth down the fabric surface and make it feel softer.

To help illustrate the true handfeel…

Factors that Influence Tussar Silk’s Texture

From fiber to finish, there are a few key factors that determine whether tussar silk ultimately feels soft, medium, or stiff:

• Raw vs. treated tussar silk – Raw fabrics without additional processing have the most texture and stiffness. Treated tussars feel more refined.
• Dyeing and printing – Some processes use harsher chemicals/treatments that strip the fabric’s natural softness.
• Blending with other fibers – Mixing with cotton, wool, or synthetics can either soften or stiffen the texture.

Below is a table summarizing how various production methods affect the texture and feel of the finished tussar silk:

So while a harshly dyed, heavily calendered tussar silk may feel quite crisp and smooth, an undyed, unprocessed tussar retains the fabric’s signature grainy texture, which softens over time.

Learning the benefits of tussar silk made me appreciate this fabric even more.

How to Soften the Stiffness in Tussar Silk

If you find your tussar silk garment, saree, or décor too stiff and scratchy, there are a few tricks for softening up the fabric at home:

• Hand wash in cool water using a gentle soap or mild detergent, then air dry. Avoid hot water or harsh chemicals!
• Use a fabric softener made for delicates when hand washing to condition the fibers.
• For quick softening between washes, spritz tussar fabrics with a little fabric conditioner diluted in water.
• With wear and gentle washing over time, the texture will relax and become suppler.

For severely stiff tussar silk fabrics, professional textile treatments like enzyme washes can help soften the texture and make it more drapey. Talk to your local fabric store or dry cleaner.

Ideal Uses for Tussar Silk’s Distinctive Texture

Once you understand the true texture of tussar silk – mildly stiff yet becoming softer with age – you can choose suitable end uses that complement its earthier, rustic properties:

• Lightweight apparel – Tussar silk garments tend to drape well and hold their structure. The texture also adds visual interest!
• Home textiles – From statement pillows to wall hangings, tussar silk makes an excellent decorative fabric for adding texture and color to living spaces.
• Accessories – For bags, scarves and other accessories, tussar silk offers body and durability along with a touchable, nubby texture.

No matter how you choose to use tussar silk, follow the recommended care instructions to help retain its beauty:

• Hand wash cool or dry clean
• Line dry in shade
• Avoid bleach and hot water
• Dry clean for heavily embellished fabrics
• Steam or gently iron on low when needed

I bought a tussar silk saree that feels quite stiff and rough. Will dry cleaning help soften it up?

Great question! While dry cleaning can help freshen up fabrics, the chemicals used are often too harsh for delicate silks and may actually cause them to stiffen over time.

I’d recommend trying a few home methods first for softening your saree – hand wash in a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, then let it air dry.

Adding a splash of fabric softener to the rinse water can also help relax the fibers. With a little TLC, you’ll have that tussar silk saree feeling softer and flowing beautifully!

Why does my tussar silk outfit feel perfectly soft in the summer but too stiff in cooler weather?

Tussar silk gets affected by changes in humidity and temperature. When it’s hot and humid outside, the moisture in the air makes the fibers relax and become more supple.

But when your environment gets cooler and drier, the fabric loses that moisture and stiffens up.

Try spritzing your tussar silk garments with some water before wearing them in cooler, drier conditions.

The added moisture will help soften the texture temporarily. Storing tussar silk pieces in breathable cotton bags can also prevent excess moisture loss.

Can I use fabric softener sheets to soften up my stiff tussar silk curtains?

I’d advise against using dryer sheets directly on tussar silk curtains or any delicate fabrics. 

The perfumes and chemicals in dryer sheets may leave residue on the fabric that causes stains over time or even make the curtains stiffer.

For the best results softening home textiles like tussar curtains, go for a gentle wash in woolite and lukewarm water, then let them air dry.

The natural process of water washing and air drying allows the fibers to relax without adding harsh chemicals found in dryer sheets or fabric softeners. Your curtains will drape beautifully!

Key Takeaways: Tussar Silk’s Texture at a Glance

To wrap up, here are the key points for understanding tussar silk’s distinctive texture:

• It has a slightly stiff, nubby texture – Tussar silk is textured rather than super smooth like mulberry silk, with a grainy feel from the short fibers used.
• The texture lies between crisp and flowing – It has more body than other silks but softer than a stiff cotton. With wear, it relaxes further.
• Production methods alter the texture – Less processed tussars retain more natural texture versus those treated to create smoother fabrics.
• It suits lightweight garments and décor – The texture and drape make tussar silk well-suited for apparel and home textiles that aren’t worn right against the skin.

I hope this overview dispels any conflicting perceptions and helps explain the characteristic texture of beautiful tussar silks!

Next time you’re shopping for tussar products, remember to feel the fabrics yourself before deciding if the texture suits your needs.

Have your own experiences with tussar silk? Let me know in the comments! I always love to connect with readers.