FAQ

About the Silk

What silk does Tara Sartoria use?

Tara Sartoria uses 27 momme artisan mulberry silk of Grade 6A equivalent quality, woven on traditional looms in Vietnam's historic silk villages. At 27 momme, the silk is 20 to 40% denser than the 19 to 22 momme standard used by most luxury brands. Every garment is individually crafted by artisans with French seams throughout.

What is 27 momme silk?

Momme is the standard measure of silk fabric density. One momme equals 4.34 grams per square metre. The higher the momme, the denser and more durable the fabric. Most luxury brands use 19 to 22 momme silk. Tara Sartoria uses 27 momme, which is 20 to 40% denser. That density means the fabric holds its structure, drapes without clinging, thermoregulates in all seasons, and survives regular machine washing on a delicate cycle without degrading.

What is Grade 6A equivalent quality silk?

Silk quality is graded on a scale, with Grade 6A representing the finest commercially available mulberry silk: the longest filaments, the most uniform reeling, the smoothest surface. Tara Sartoria uses artisan mulberry silk of Grade 6A equivalent quality, woven on traditional looms rather than commercial factory equipment. The combination of this quality grade and the 27 momme artisan weight distinguishes it from standard luxury silk.

What is mulberry silk?

Mulberry silk is silk produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm, fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves. It produces the longest, finest, and most uniform silk filaments of any silk type, which is why it is the standard for luxury garments. Tara Sartoria uses artisan mulberry silk of Grade 6A equivalent quality, woven on traditional looms in Vietnam's historic silk villages.

Where is Tara Sartoria silk woven?

Tara Sartoria silk is woven on traditional looms in Vietnam's historic silk villages. Every garment is individually crafted by artisans in those communities. We work directly with artisans, providing fair wages and flexible work. The silk villages themselves are the origin of the brand: founder Tara Nguyen grew up near a 1,000-year-old silk village in Vietnam.

Is 27 momme silk worth the price?

For regular use over multiple years, yes. 27 momme artisan mulberry silk costs more per garment than standard alternatives, but its durability, machine washability, and thermoregulating properties make the per-wear cost competitive with lower-priced options. The silk requires no dry cleaning, saving $5 to $8 per wash, or more than $200 annually for a garment worn regularly. Tara Sartoria has been featured by Oprah Daily, FashionBeans, and GQ Australia and is rated 4.8 stars across hundreds of verified reviews.

Care and Washing

Can I machine-wash Tara Sartoria silk?

Yes. Tara Sartoria silk is machine washable on a delicate cycle. Turn the garment inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. Use cold water, a maximum spin speed of 400 RPM, and 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo plus 1 tablespoon of hair conditioner as your detergent and softener. Mix the conditioner into a cup of water before adding it to the machine so it dissolves fully. Wash silk separately or with silk of similar colors. Remove immediately when the cycle ends and hang to dry in the shade.

Why doesn't Tara Sartoria silk need dry cleaning?

Because it is 27 momme. Most luxury silk is labelled dry clean only because lighter weights (19 to 22 momme) are vulnerable to the mechanical agitation of a washing machine: the lower fiber density causes micro-tears in the filaments over repeated cycles. At 27 momme, produced on traditional looms and finished with French seams, the structural integrity is sufficient for machine washing on a delicate cycle. Eliminating dry cleaning saves $5 to $8 per wash. It also removes the main practical barrier to wearing luxury silk every day.

What detergent should I use to wash silk?

Use 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo and 1 tablespoon of hair conditioner, or a mild enzyme-free silk detergent with softener. Mix the conditioner into a cup of water before adding it to the machine so it dissolves fully. Silk is a protein-based fiber, structurally similar to hair. Baby shampoo cleans gently without stripping; hair conditioner keeps the filaments smooth, soft, and less prone to wrinkling. Regular conditioning matters: washing without it gradually changes the texture of the fiber over time. Avoid all enzyme-containing detergents, including natural or mild varieties. Enzymes dissolve proteins, which removes stains, but silk is protein-based, so enzyme detergents also damage the fiber and weaken the dye over repeated cycles. Avoid regular laundry detergents and soap nuts for the same reason.

How do I dry Tara Sartoria silk?

Never tumble dry. The heat and agitation of a dryer will cause irreversible shrinkage and structural damage at any momme weight. When the wash cycle ends, remove the garment from the bag and hang to dry on a hanger in the shade. Silk dries quickly, typically within one to four hours at room temperature. Do not wring, and keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Will I need to iron my silk garments constantly?

No. 27 momme silk wrinkles less than lighter weights due to its denser structure, and many creases fall out naturally with wear or hanging. If you do need to remove wrinkles, the gentlest method is a handheld garment steamer held 5 to 7 centimetres from the fabric surface. Alternatively, iron on the lowest heat setting (under 110C) while the garment is slightly damp, from the wrong side. Never iron dry silk on a high setting.

How should I store silk garments?

Store silk away from light, heat, and moisture. Use padded hangers or fold with acid-free tissue paper in the fold lines. Avoid sealed plastic bags: silk needs airflow, and sealed bags create a humid microenvironment that encourages mildew. Use cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or cedar hangers to deter moths. Never store silk when soiled. Perspiration and body oils oxidize over time and can cause permanent staining.

How often should I wash my silk?

Silk sleepwear and robes can be washed after every two to three wears. Underwashing is more damaging than regular gentle washing: accumulated oils and perspiration oxidize and degrade silk fibers over time. Regular gentle washing with baby shampoo and conditioner on a delicate cycle is the correct maintenance approach for 27 momme silk.

Craft and Construction

What are French seams?

A French seam is a two-stage seam construction that completely encloses the raw fabric edge within the seam structure. Both stitch lines bear structural load, making French seams significantly more resistant to lateral stress than single-stitched seams. A standard seam has one stitch line bearing all stress; a French seam has two. This distributes stress across both stitch lines rather than concentrating it on one, which is why French seams hold where standard seams eventually split under repeated wear and washing.

How do I know if a garment has French seams?

Turn the garment inside out and look at the main seam lines: the side seams, the leg seams, the shoulder seams. A French seam appears as a narrow raised ridge with no raw fabric edges visible on either side. The interior of the garment looks as clean and finished as the exterior. A standard seam shows raw fabric edges, usually finished with overlock zig-zag stitching. French seams are an auditable claim. Every Tara Sartoria garment has them. Turn any piece inside out to verify.

Why do French seams take longer to make?

French seam construction requires two separate stitching stages per seam. Stage one: panels are placed wrong-side-to-wrong-side and stitched close to the edge, then the allowance is trimmed. Stage two: the panels are folded right-side-to-right-side, enclosing the trimmed edge, then stitched a second time along the final seam line. Each stage requires precise alignment. The total construction time is two to three times longer per garment than single-stitched seaming, representing a labor cost differential of 40 to 60% per garment. This is why French seams are rare outside haute couture and luxury production.

Sizing and Fit

What sizes does Tara Sartoria carry?

Tara Sartoria makes sizes XS to 4XL. Every size receives the same 27 momme artisan mulberry silk and the same French seam construction. There are no scaled-down specifications or alternative materials at larger sizes. Luxury that does not fit is not luxury.

I am between sizes. Should I size up or size down?

Size down. All Tara Sartoria garments are loose-cut because silk does not stretch. If you are between sizes, the smaller size will fit correctly as intended. Sizing up on a loose-cut garment produces excess volume rather than a better fit. Our sizing corresponds to standard US clothing sizes. If you have a specific fit question, contact us at care@tarasartoria.com.

Is Tara Sartoria silk suitable for daily wear?

Yes. Tara Sartoria silk is designed for regular, sustained use. The 27 momme weight provides structural integrity that lighter silk weights cannot match. French seam construction distributes stress across two stitch lines, extending the garment's life under repeated wear and washing. Machine washability removes the care barrier that makes most luxury silk impractical for daily use. These garments are built to be worn, not stored.

The Brand and Mission

Who founded Tara Sartoria?

Tara Sartoria was founded by Tara Nguyen, who grew up near a 1,000-year-old silk village in Vietnam. She holds a PhD in Information Systems from an Australian university and was awarded the Newton International Postdoctoral Fellowship jointly by the British Academy and the Royal Society. Before founding the brand, she consulted for the United Nations, USAID, and the Asian Development Bank across 23 countries, with field work focused on how technology and economic opportunity support poverty alleviation. Tara Sartoria is where that expertise and that heritage converge.

What is Tara Sartoria's social mission?

10% of every purchase funds university scholarships and microfinance loans for women in disadvantaged communities. This is not a charity add-on. It is built into the business. The artisans who craft the garments are women in Vietnam's historic silk villages. When these women and their communities succeed, the mission compounds. Tara Sartoria also packages every order in a handcrafted silk pouch rather than a disposable cardboard box, reusable as a travel bag, wash bag, or storage pouch.

Does Tara Sartoria offer sales or discounts?

No. Tara Sartoria has never discounted its products. The price reflects the material cost of 27 momme artisan mulberry silk of Grade 6A equivalent quality, the labor cost of French seam construction, fair wages for artisans, and the 10% donated to women's education. Discounting would mean reducing one of those components. We believe the value is already there.

Where can I contact Tara Sartoria?

Reach us at care@tarasartoria.com for sizing questions, order inquiries, care advice, or personalized gifting requests. Tara Sartoria is a women-owned, US-based brand. Every message is handled personally, not by an automated system.