Re: Silk Velvet

[Joanne Hackett <JHackett@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jane,
Should you wish to persue using silk velvet I can recommend Thai Silks
in California.  They stock a variety of silk velvets, including one
ready to dye.  I have always found them helpful with swatching and they
will sell you a small quantity.  They have really great sets of pre-cut
swatches of all of their china silk colors and their different types and
weights of silk.
http://www.thaisilks.com/

Joanne Hackett
Associate Textile Conservator
Indianapolis Museum of Art.


>>> janehammond@xxxxxxx 6/29/2005 5:58:15 PM >>>
I am looking for a source of silk velvet (light-weight), suitable for
use as a backing in an enclosed frame containing ivory/gilded metal.
The velvet will be use to cover the backboard of a shadowbox frame
which houses three ovals of carved ivory set in gilded frames.
Because of extensive mold growth the original wood backboard will be
replaced, mostly likely  by  MDF covered with ragboard, over which
new velvet will be placed.  The original velvet can not be salvaged.

Can anyone recommend fabric sources that will sell small quanties ( a
yard?) of silk velvet suitable for conservation use? The original is
of a caramel color, so I am prepared to dye, if a white or ecru
velvet can be found.

Thank you for your recommendations.

Jane Hammond
Adjunct Textile Conservator
The Intermuseum Conservation Association
Cleveland, Ohio