Re: 19th century velvet

[Dlt573@xxxxxxx]

I could suggest places to look in NYC or Boston, which would not be helpful 
to you in Australia.  Instead, I will generalize and suggest that you find 
out where upscale designers purchase their fabrics and look there.  In NYC 
those sorts of fabric houses are mostly in the "D&D" (Design and Decorators) 
Building.  You can probably find a similar place near you.

Also, I strongly urge you not to use antique velvet.  Even though a red 
velvet may not sound like a rare item, use of an antique fabric as a "supply" 
or "prop" sets a bad precedent.  This practice was fairly common in the US a 
number of years ago (for example for recovering upholstered chairs), but most 
museums have, I believe, stopped it, the better to preserve historic fabrics.

Happy hunting.

Deborah Trupin
Textile Conservator, NYS Bureau of Historic Sites