Hand-painted silk scarf

I HAND PAINT EACH SCARF IN MY STUDIO IN CAPEL CURIG IN THE HEART OF SNOWDONIA IN WALES. 

Each scarf is an original and unique design. No two are ever the same. My designs are inspired by the shapes, textures and colours of the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia and the gorgeous North Wales coastline. The scarf is a medium weight silk measuring 180x45cm (71×18”). 

I use vibrant and colourfast silk paints that are guaranteed not to fade if you follow some basic care suggestions.

CARING FOR YOUR SCARF
Here are a few simple tips to get the best from your hand-painted silk scarf.

Washing
•Don’t put your silk scarf in the washing machine. Hand wash it in cold water with a mild silk-friendly detergent. Any kind of bleach will damage your silk’s fibres so never use it. Also, never wash it with other colours because they could bleed into your scarf. 
•Let it soak for no more than 5 minutes.
•Swish it slowly and gently.
•Rinse with fresh water. 
•Use a fabric conditioner in the final rinse. A small amount of hair conditioner will also work.
•Rinse well in cold water.
•Ball your scarf together to remove excess moisture. Don’t wring it as this will damage its fibres. Then lay it flat and roll it in a towel to absorb any lingering moisture.
•Lay flat to dry. Do not wring, twist, or rub the silk scarf while washing. Never put your scarf in the dryer. Intense heat can make silk lose its lustre and possibly shrink. Not only that, but it can also cause the fibres to break. Air drying your scarf is always the best option because it is the most gentle.

Ironing
Set your iron to low heat, cool or the silk setting.
Iron silk only once it’s dry and be sure to put a cloth between the silk and the iron.

Don’t spray or wet silk while ironing as you may get water-stains. And always remember NOT to spray perfume onto it.
If you must remove wrinkles, never iron it while it is dry. Iron while damp. Don’t spot damp either, as these could create a circle or round marks that are ugly.

Storage
•To avoid ironing, the best solution is to hang your scarf in a cool clean, dry, and airy place. 
•Silk creases so it’s best not to fold or leave it bunched up for long. If you’re storing your scarf for a long period of time then make sure it’s clean and stored in a breathable fabric bag. Avoid plastic bags because they lock in moisture. 
•Another tip for long-term storing is to store your silk scarf away from the sun to avoid fading the colour and weakening the fibre. Silk can also attract moths. Never use mothballs to save your scarves because they will smell terrible afterwards!
•Use a natural moth repellent into the bag as protection against damage. Natural lavender sachets are a great way of doing this.
•Never store in direct sunlight which can damage the silk fibres. Plus of course, there’s the fact that direct sunlight can make a fabric lose its colour.
•Never store your scarf in a damp place because it’s prone to deterioration and moths. Keep them in airtight containers or boxes that are clean and dry.