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Aerial Silks
Ok ladies who do silks. I currently have the medium stretch 108 inch width fabric. My problem is with my grip. They are just almost too thick for my hands. Anyone else have this problem? Wondering if they can be cut or if I should order the 54’s. I’ve seen performances with much more narrow fabric than what I have and I’m just looking for opinions.
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22 Replies
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Mine is 110 wide. I have an Aerial sling/hammock. I have pretty small hands and mine seem okay. I just need more upper body strength : ). You might want to talk to the person you purchased from. Where did you purchase from? Silks led me to this wonderful site. Let me know what you find out.
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I would work on your grip strength as well. I have a rock climbing squezee ball that I use. You didn't mention how long you've been training, but just getting your hands used to holding your weight on the silk. The best way I've found is just to hang from the silk. Also I've found that stretching my hands and arms during and after my workout helps with the soreness.
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Sorry… I’ve been on pole for two years and silks a little over a year. Pretty strong grip but my hands are kinda small.
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I think it's a matter of preference. I have small hands too, so I understand where you're coming from. I have gotten used to gripping thicker silks, but they feel harder to manage when I'm wrapping myself. Like the silks feel heavier. I would see if there is an option that is between the 54 and 108 inch width. Unless you have tried the 54 inch one, I would advise cutting your silks for now. I really dislike narrow silks because they hurt more intensely during drops and I don't think they are as aesthetically pleasing. Yes they are easier to grip, but if I hang for a long time, I find that they are harder on my fingers because I'm squeezing so much less area.
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Ah, okay. I consider my hands to be pretty small as well and don't have much trouble with the 110 inch wide silks. Second OzarkSiren and talk to the person or site you purchased your siks from. Also, if there is an aerial school or instructor in your area, you can try to talk to them.
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Ok ladies here's the breakdown when it comes to fabric sizing
110' is used for NON stretch fabric only, it's used primairly for hammocks and beginner lessons since there is no stretch and therefore easier to climb. (yes there are many "advanced" aerialists that use non stretch, which in my opinion is shear lazyness because it takes less effort to climb" **end rant**
for any stretch fabric, be it medium or super stretch a 60' is used, it is not necessary to use anything wider as the stretch absorbes the shock value of drops distrubuting the impact force.
Here's the strength testing stats if anyone is interested:
http://www.flyingsquirrelconsortium.com/ptest2007/FT300FU.html
cheers
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Thank you so much. I think the ones I’m looking at are 54″ with medium stretch. . I’ll post when I make my decision.
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You can trim them too. I trimmed a foot off all my 108" silks and I am much, much happier with them.
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Thanks jivete. That’s what I was thinking of doing. Do you have the interlock? Mine are shiny with medium stretch. Thinking of ordering the same fabric and trimming it down like you did…
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I just have 40 denier tricot fabric. I get mine from Fabric.com. It runs about $6/yard with free shipping over $35.
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Thanks… The tricot didn’t have quite enough stretch for me. I wish it did because it’s a little cheaper.
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How long is the fabric you got from Fabric.com?
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I have three sets. The longest is either 15 or 16 yards to go with my rig at full height. I also have a 13 yard set for 15ft ceilings, and a 9 yard set I use as a hammock.
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Thank you. I was afraid I’d order 18 yards and get it in two pieces;)
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Thank you. I was afraid I’d order 18 yards and get it in two pieces;)
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Jivete, how much stretch does the 40 denier tricot have? Thanks…
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The longer the silks, the more stretch they seem to have. With my rig at 20ft they have a bit of give, maybe six inches–I don't pay too much attention to it. I do know from one studio I go to that certain colors have more stretch than others. If I remember correctly the green silks at her studio are the stretchiest. My black ones seem less stretchy than the red ones, but it's pretty minimal.
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As for the original question, I would simply get another pair of silks, rather than cutting the ones you have. Yes, the material is designed to only tear in the direction of the weft and not the warp, but who knows what would happen if you cut them. Always be safe- just buy new ones.
And on another note:
@upandover: I find it pretty amusing that you suggest not using non-stretch silks because you think that people who use them are "lazy" and that it's "easier to climb" (not true) and then you provide a link to http://flyingsquirrelconsortium.com/– these people are my teachers and they ONLY use non-stretch fabric. The difference between stretch and non-stretch is a matter of preference, nothing more. Next time, you might want to try to be a little kinder in your words, lest they turn out to be mistaken.
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I can’t find the narrower fabric with medium stretch. I have read several places that you can safely ” strip” the fabric to make it narrower. I’ve had swatches sent from several places with no luck finding a 60″ medium stretch. The lady at fabricdepotco.com will actually strip the fabric for you for about .60 a yard but all she carries is non-stretch. You’re right it’s about preference. I know an aerial performer in FL and she prefers very wide non stretch. Personally I like the stretch but the 208’s are just hard on my grip…
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People post questions here to seek information and advice from fellow polers and aerialists. Upandover- I don't see any reason to post your "advise" with such negative wording. (Seriously? – it's a post about the width and stretch of fabric, not a moral debate.) Thank you Elektra Vallens for pointing that out.
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Oops…108’s. From one redhead to another I love your screen name.
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