Take a jar and mix breathability like linen, smoothness like silk, and softness like cashmere. What you get are the characteristics of lotus silk fabric. It is one of the most precious fabrics you can ever experience. But at what cost? 

Team Muslin Dhaka works with the most exclusive and luxurious fabric on earth. We can confirm that lotus silk fabric is probably the second toughest ever made. What’s the first one? Well, it should be golden spider silk fabric. Spider silk requires milking millions of spiders for several years and a huge manpower which is not commercially viable. However, Burmese Lotus Silk Fabric is the new trend in the luxury fashion industry. Its royal features, comfort, and uniqueness make it a fabric with very high potential. 

In this article, we will present an in-depth history, production process, features, and other essential aspects of lotus silk fabric.

Let’s begin.

What is lotus silk fabric?

Lotus Silk Fabric is made of streams of lotus leaves and flowers. Lotus is an aquatic flower plant native to different parts of Asia. If you break a fresh stream of the lotus plant, a really thin lotus fiber gets out. By trolling the fiber, yarn can be made. The lotus yarn is later weaved in lotus silk fabric.

Lotus silk fabric is unique. Many other plant-based fibers are used for making fabrics, but those are evolved and have been mastered for centuries. Lotus silk fabric is relatively new. The process is developed, but it’s not as efficient as other woven fabrics. 

Meticulous handcrafting is required for making lotus silk fabric. However, its outstanding features, high demand among tourists, and fashionistas helped the growth of lotus silk fabric.

Lotus silk fabric is produced in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Recently, Bangladesh started to produce a special kind of lotus silk fabric under a pilot project. While other countries need 30.000 lotus stems to make one kg of lotus silk yarn, we need only half. This reduces the cost as well. We, Team Muslin Dhaka, can make super luxury lotus silk fabric, scarfs, and sarees using the muslin weaving technique! 

Although the fabric has gained massive popularity, the production is very limited. (Myanmar) Burmese lotus silk is most popular. Lotus silk fabric can only be produced in places with an abundance of lotus plants. The plants grow in the slow-moving water like lakes and ponds. 

The stems can be collected only from April to August. Only 25 kg of lotus silk fiber can be extracted from 100 tons of lotus silk stems. I share these stats again to give a better idea of how difficult the task is. The process is backbreakingly slow. Making just one scarf requires about two months of hard work. One regular lotus silk scarf’s price starts around $300-$400, which pays off all the hard work.

Regardless of the complex process, lotus silk fabric comes with its undeniable appeal, charm, and comfort. The fabric is also very sustainable and as green as it can be. 

We will dig deep into its features and making process. Before, let’s have a look at its highlighted features.

Highlights

 

Industrial Name	Lotus Silk Fabric
Origin	Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Other Names	Lotus flower silk fabric, Burmese Lotus silk, Lotus silk, Lotus fiber silk Fabric.
Construction	Satin, plain, and twill weave in handloom.
Weight	Light.
Color	Natural faded white.
Airflow	Very high.
Moisture Absorbance	Moisture resistant.
Shrinkage	No
Stretch	Comes with a slight natural stretch.

 

What is the history of Lotus Silk Fabric?

The history of lotus silk fabric starts in the 1900s. A woman named Sa Oo in the village of Kyaingkhan, Myanmar was playfully breaking the lotus streams. It’s really common for Asian people to make stuff with lotus flowers and stems. She noticed the fibers are so delicate and if rolled it may work like a thread. The thread was initially weak and easily broke, but after it dried, it seemed very smooth & worked like regular yarn. 

After a lot of trial and error, she successfully developed a way to make fabric with lotus silk. The first attire she made was a Buddhist monastic robe. After her death, no one worked with lotus silk fabric for many years. After that, one of her relatives again started working on textiles.

Phan Thi Thuan was a weaver who lived in a village near Hanoi, Vietnam. She used to work with mulberry silk. When she learned about lotus silk in 2017, she noticed lotus flowers were abundant around her area. She saw a great opportunity in lotus fabric. Her skill sets fit perfectly for that. She felt like ‘the chosen one’ and started developing Lotus Silk Fabric. After successfully making high-quality lotus silk fabric, she built a cottage industry that hired weavers. The fabric grabbed the attention of the fashion industry. Within a few years, the lotus silk fabric business stood up firm and never looked back. 

Phan Thi is not only an innovative entrepreneur but also a teacher. She has taught hundreds of people how to extract lotus silk yarn and make fabric from it. We shared her video in fabric making section.

What are the Characteristics of Lotus Silk Fabric?

Lotus silk is super breathable and hypoallergenic. Great fit for people with sensitive skin. Its smooth like silk but slightly thicker. Comes with a natural ivory color, and a simplistic vibe. The specific characteristics depend on the weaving technique. Satin is smooth and silky, plain weave is breathable. Twill ones are more durable and thick. 

Appearance

Lotus silk comes with a natural appearance. Its neutral color and beauty easily suit both modern and traditional fabrics. Depending on the weaving the appearance can be slightly different. Some lotus silk fabrics come with aesthetic lotus patterns and designs. Another great feature of this silk is that it does not wrinkle. You do not need iron.

Softness

The softness of Lotus Silk Fabric depends on the weaving technique. Satin ones are the softest and smoothest. Plain-weave lotus silk fabrics are also soft. Twill lotus silk is not that common, not that soft as well.

Yarn quality

The yarn quality of lotus silk depends on the skill level of the yarn maker, Aka spinner. Also, different species of lotus silk fabrics have slightly variable yarn quality. Cambodian lotus species Nelumbo Nucifera fibers are the strongest. Spinners make the best yarn from that. Muslin Dhaka lotus fabric is also made from the same species.

Breathability

If you want to learn the key feature of Lotus fabric, its breathability. It is one of the most breathable fabrics after Dhaka Muslin.

Heat absorption

Lotus fabric’s heat absorption feature is quite interesting. It does not absorb much heat. It stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Some other natural fabrics show similar characteristics. But lotus fabric has it more. 

Stretch

Most natural fabrics do not stretch. But Lotus silk has a slight natural stretch which makes it more comfortable. It makes it different from conventional silk.

Water absorption

As lotus plants are aquatic, lotus silk is water-resistant. It also dries easily once wet. The fabric absorbs water slowly but dries very fast. Regular silk does not have these characteristics.

Transparency

Lotus fabrics are not meant to be transparent. But delicate ones will pass more light.

Shrinkage

Unlike cotton fabrics, lotus silk does not shrink. However, it requires special care. 

Durability

Lotus silk is a luxury fabric that is very suitable for regular use. You can use it daily for years.

Color retention

No dyes or chemicals are used in this fabric, so it remains the same natural color for years.

How are lotus silk fabrics made?

As we mentioned earlier, lotus silk fabric is one of the hardest fabrics to make. The making process can be slightly different depending on who is making it. Here let’s explore how Phan Thi Thuan makes it in Vietnam.

• Collection of Streams

First, the lotus stem is collected from the lakes and ponds. The lotus flowers grow where the depth of water is 1-2 meters. A long stem connects with the soil and the leaves float over the water. Those fresh streams are collected for lotus silk fabric. After collecting the stem, the yarn must be made within 24 hours. So spinners collect that much of the stream that they can convert into yarn within stipulated time.

• Yarn making

3-4 lotus yarn is held together and shallowly cut. Then, workers twist and break the streams. The broken parts stay connected to the fiber. They come out when pulled correctly. Workers pull them out and roll the fibers on a nonsticky wooden table. Every single inch of the lotus silk thread is rolled by the hands. This is the hardest part of making lotus silk Yarn. There is no easy way to do it. To make a single scarf, one person has to work almost 2 months of yarn making.

• Drying

After the Yarn is rolled, it is dried in the air. After drying the lotus silk yarns become as strong as traditional silk fabric. However, making traditional silk yarns is a lot easier. The silkworms do most of the fiber-making work.

• Processing

After the yarn dries, it is processed and rolled for further use. When the lotus flowers are available, weavers prioritize more on making yarns. Later in the year, weaving and fabric-making take place.

• Fabric Weaving

After the yarn the fabric is made all by and loom. All the traditional techniques and equipment are used in the process. It is not the hardest part of producing lotus silk, but still a time-consuming and delicate one.

What are the Uses of Lotus Silk Fabric?

The potential uses of lotus silk are vast. It’s such a versatile and pleasant fabric, it can be used for many purposes. But in reality, due to its high expense and low availability, it is used in a few fashion items. 

Currently Used For :

Lotus silk scarves are one of the most popular items. Most businesses make comfortable and fashionable scarves with the fabric. There is a problem with luxury fabrics like this. It’s risky and complicated to make certain ready-made dresses. Making scarves and shawls are the best options as it can fit any person, any taste and style. Still, luxury dresses and accessories are made with it but they are not as common as scarfs.

Potential Uses

Lotus Silk Fabrics can be usable for various purposes. It can be great as a bedding material because of its softness, comfort, and hypo-allergic features. For the same reason, it is great for baby clothes. The sacred fabric is also used in luxury fashion. Any type of dress can be made with lotus silk.

Advantages and disadvantages 

Let’s recap the advantages and disadvantages of lotus silk fabric.

Advantage

• Breathable
• Elegance is incomparable
• Soft and smooth
• Stretch
• Comes with a luxurious feel
• Water resistance
• Quick drying feature
• Hypoallergenic
• Wrinkle resistant
• Lightweight

Disadvantage

• Complex and long production process
• High expense
• The raw material is not available everywhere
• Available in limited color.

What is Lotus Silk’s Impact on Luxury Fashion?

Lotus silk fabrics are in the first stage of development, but their luxury features easily caught the attention of the luxury fashion industries. Apart from luxury, lotus silk is considered a sacred fabric in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Monks wear this holy lotus flower attire.  

All these traits make Lotus Silk more valuable to the end user. Currently, native producers and start-ups are marketing it. 

However, luxury brands are quite interested in this fabric. So we expect the fabric will be more available under the famous luxury brands in near future.

What is the future of Lotus Silk Fabric?

The future of lotus silk fabric is quite promising. However, there are some problems that need to be solved for the staple production of the fabric. Spinning the lotus silk yarn is a complicated and time-consuming process. It requires the human touch. Until a simpler way is invented, production will remain limited. 

It will remain a luxury boutique industry. With its increasing popularity, more brands and startups will be involved in this industry. We are also involved at an early stage. 

Where to Buy Lotus Silk Fabric & fashion?

Lotus silk is usually unavailable offline unless you are visiting Vietnam or Myanmar. But you may find some good options online. Finding the most authentic lotus silk fabric is hard. 

So we recommend a few brands for real products. 

What are the best lotus silk brands?

Check out the best lotus silk brands :

• Dhaka Muslin Lotus silk – Best for Customize super delicate fabric
• Acalastem
• Whakato
• HannahSanHandmade

Is Lotus Silk sustainable?

Lotus silk fabric is one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet. Why? It does not even require any land. Let alone the use of water, pesticides, or fertilizers. Lotus plants grow in ponds and lakes naturally. Collecting them does not disturb nature. 

The materials are highly degradable and environment friendly. The entire production process includes zero carbon emissions. The fabric is also durable and long-lasting. Lotus silk fabrics can play a great role in the Green Planet movement.

FAQ

Can you wash lotus silk fabric?

Yes, you can hand wash lotus silk fabric with water and a mild detergent. Remember to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. 

Is lotus silk waterproof?

No, lotus silk fabrics are not waterproof but have moderate water resistance features.

Final Thoughts

Lotus silk fabrics represent human innovation and the richness of nature. We can make the most advanced materials, but what we get from nature is always the best, considering every aspect. 

Lotus silk fabrics are luxurious and hold the essence of beauty and simplicity. We tried to present an in-depth exploration of lotus fabric. We hope it helps you gain proper knowledge about royal lotus silk fabric. 

Book a Private appointment if you want to buy the best lotus silk dress.