What is silk twill?
The twill weave that gives a silk square suppleness, structure and a subtle lustre.
Silk twill, also called silk serge, is recognised by the fine diagonal lines formed by its weave. Supple yet structured enough to hold its shape, it is especially well suited to silk squares: it is easy to tie, keeps a beautiful structure and stands up well to regular wear.
What is twill?
Twill — or serge in French — does not refer to a fibre, but to a way of interlacing yarns to form a fabric.
The yarns are interwoven with a slight offset from one row to the next. This is what creates twill’s characteristic fine diagonal lines.
This weave can be made with different fibres: cotton, wool, polyester or silk. Silk twill is therefore simply a twill-woven fabric made with silk yarns.
Compared with a simpler weave, twill generally offers more structure and suppleness while keeping the fabric fluid.
Why is twill used for silk squares?
Twill is particularly well suited to silk squares because it combines suppleness, structure and durability.
It remains pleasant to wear and easy to tie, while retaining enough structure for folds and knots to stay clearly defined. Its gentle texture also makes it less slippery than satin, helping the scarf stay in place.
Finally, the twill weave gives the fabric good stability, which makes it well suited to printed silk squares intended for regular wear.
What is the difference between twill and satin?
Twill and satin are two types of weave. Both can be made with silk, but their appearance and feel are very different.
Twill is recognised by its fine diagonals. It generally has a slightly more structured hand, more body and a subtler sheen.
Satin, by contrast, has a much smoother, more uniform surface. It reflects more light, which gives it its glossy appearance and a more slippery feel.
A silk satin and a silk twill can therefore be made from the same fibre: what changes is the way the yarns are woven.
Is silk twill durable?
Yes. Thanks to its dense, structured weave, twill offers good durability for a silk fabric and is well suited to a scarf worn regularly.
It is still delicate, however: repeated rubbing, jewellery or sharp objects can pull a thread or mark its surface.
With suitable care, a silk-twill square can retain its suppleness, colours and appearance for a long time.
Is silk twill shiny?
Yes, but its lustre is generally more subtle than satin’s.
Silk naturally catches the light, but twill’s diagonal texture diffuses it more. Its appearance therefore varies with angle and movement, with a softer, less uniform sheen.
Twill can seem almost matte from some angles, then reveal more lustre as it moves.
