16 momme silk fabric

If you ask for silk without specifying a weight, 16 momme (~69 gsm) is usually what turns up. It is the standard weight for silk charmeuse and crepe de chine, and it is the weight most people are comparing prices on without realising they are.

Ten families are woven here and it carries the largest number of individual qualities in our range. That matters practically: if you are sourcing two fabrics in the same colour from the same place, 16 mm gives you the widest choice of both.

Families woven at 16 momme

Availability is always current-stock dependent — the shelf holds 300–500 m per colour in most families; custom dye starts from 40 m.

What 16 momme suits

Where 16 momme sits in the range

Every weight we weave, with the number of families and individual qualities available at each. GSM is the standard conversion.

The highlighted row is this page. Family counts differ because looms and yarns set the limits — not every structure can be woven at every weight.

Sewing and handling at this weight

• **70/10 to 80/12**, depending on how tight the weave is. A tight charmeuse wants the finer needle.
• Do check dye fastness before you wash, particularly on saturated colours. Fastness depends on the dye class, which depends on the shade — bright reds and deep blacks are the two that most often need care.
• Sixteen is about the point where a rotary cutter starts being faster than scissors on long straight runs. Below it, the cloth walks.
• Steam rather than press where you can. Shine marks from an iron show on satin surfaces.

Next to the neighbouring weights

• One lighter step: 14 momme — 6 families, 9 qualities.
• One heavier step: 18 momme — 3 families, 3 qualities.

Frequently asked questions

What does 16 momme mean in grams?

One momme is roughly 4.34 g/m², so 16 momme works out to about ~69 per square metre. The conversion is the standard one published across the trade; actual GSM varies slightly by weave and finish.

Which fabrics come in 16 momme?

10 families on our card are woven at this weight, 33 qualities in total — use the table above for the exact list. Availability of specific colours depends on what is on the shelf versus in a dye lot.

Is 16 momme silk good quality?

Momme is weight, not quality. A 16 mm is not better than a lighter one — it is a different tool. Quality is decided by the grade of the yarn and the evenness of the weave, both of which we hold constant across the range.

Can I order 16 momme from one metre?

Yes, in stock colours — cut from one metre, same as the rest of the range. Custom dyeing of this weight starts from 40 metres per colour with a lab dip approved first.