The weight of silk

A Momme is a Japanese unit of measurement used for creations in silk and it indicates the weight per square meter.

One Momme = 3.78 grams or 0,13 ounces. The higher the number, the heavier the fabric.

Gauze – 3-5 momme

Organza – 4-6 momme

Habotai – 12-16 momme

Chiffon – 6-8 momme (or double thickness 12-16 momme)

Crêpe de Chine – 12-16 momme

Raw silk – 35-40 momme

Charmeuse – 12-30 momme

 

Is it better to choose fabrics with a higher number of momme?

A higher number means that the fabric is more expensive because it has more resistant threads but…it’s also heavier and visually it’s more opaque.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase products with a higher number of momme.

But for scarves the ideal number of momme ranges between 6 and 16.

A weight of over 20 momme is preferred for the creation of clothes.