Tuesday 11 June 2013

100% silk velvet: the results

A quick update on the kitchen: it's coming along well and is on schedule, though the mess is still indescribable.  The messy, building phase should be finished at the end of this week, happily, though there's still a fair amount of work to do after that.

But back to silk velvet.  So far, I have found three suppliers of pure silk velvet, across three continents.

Firstly, Oh So Elegant in Australia.  I ordered a small amount of fabric from there for a test piece a while ago, and it was very nice indeed, though quite a light weight - more a dressmaking fabric than upholstery weight, but still good for smaller items.  They were very nice to deal with, too, and sent my order promptly.  Their velvet is currently Aus $100 a metre.

Next, Delectable Mountain Cloth in America.  This firm was recommended by several people, but I have to admit to being a little disappointed.  I contacted them to ask if they supplied silk velvet; they confirmed that they did, in an upholstery weight, but didn't keep it in stock and would need to order it in, at around US $200-$400 a yard (they weren't more specific).  So far so good, but when I asked for further information - how wide is it?  Can I order swatches? - I didn't get any response at all.  I've chased a couple of times, but they're still to get back to me.  Disappointing.

Finally, back to Europe, and Prelle in France.  Prelle are manufacturers, not just suppliers, though they do sell directly too.  They produce both silk and silk/wool blend velvets, in quite a heavy weight; the silk velvet is £274.60 per metre (I suspect that's converted from Euros), and the silk/wool is £280.  They're very nice to deal with, extremely helpful, and supplied quite large swatches at no cost very quickly.  There is a downside, however, in that their velvets are only 64 cm (25") in width, which may not be suitable for larger items, and means that it's even more expensive than it looks.

This is all the information I have so far, but if anyone knows of any other suppliers, I'd be very happy to add them to the list.

4 comments:

  1. I often drool over the figured velvets from prelle - did you see the velvet gowns the globe had made up for mark rylance last season? if its for embroidery silk pile on a cotton back is actually nicer to work on(I"ve tried both). depending on how much/what colour you want I have some for £50 pm and I'm local to you. I can only really spare a metre or two, am not sure if I can get more

    this is some draped
    http://opusanglicanum.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/petrus-christus-dress/

    this is some embroidered

    http://opusanglicanum.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/book-cover-finished-weell-sort-of-of/

    btw, blogger wont let me know if you reply, so You'd either have to comment on my blog or pm me

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  2. Hi - I've been to Delectable Mtn. in Brattlesboro, VT...very nice in person. I've seen the fabric they have on hand (there's not much in silk velvet). The samples to order from retails for $400 yd, gorgeous stuff - rather heavy, what are you planning to use it for? I don't think they swatch at those prices and the best way to deal with the shop is in person. I also don't remember the width. If memory serves, it's sourced in Europe.

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  3. @opusanglicanum - that sounds interesting, thanks! I'll be in touch off-list.

    @anonymous - unfortunately, as I'm in the UK, popping into the shop in person isn't really an option, but I'm sure it's a fab place to visit.

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  4. Taj velvet and silk mills situated in the city of Taj Agra, in India. Company is engaged in weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing and finishing for garments and furnishings.
    http://www.tajvelvet.com/

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