> A friend is offering me 8m (the 8m is based on her recollection, we haven't > actually measured it) of Rayon velvet as a gift, or otherwise it's going to > charity, it's a nice dark tan colour but I'm a little concerned by how shiny > it is would that change when I washed it? (I have never worked with Rayon > Velvet as you don't see it in the shops here mostly it's poly/acetate deep > pile velvet or cotton velveteen)
It shouldn't change too much. Is this the chiffon velvet often labeled as silk velvet, but actually has a rayon pile? Or does it have a heavier base? > So, in short would it be worth my while to take it? or would it be better > off going to charity where somebody else will make something modern from it? Take it! Velvet through the ages as far as I can tell varies as much as it varies now. From close photos of several items I know I've spotted different pile depths, thicknesses of the pile and sheen. And there are some very glossy velvets out there. Especially of the 19thC. Some really OTT velvet travelling suits made of the shiniest velvet seen;) Also very shiny plush. There was a travelling outfit on ebay not long ago... but I'm not sure if it is still up. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48864&item=8303219926&rd=1 That's one still up anyway. http://www.rubylane.com/ni/shops/terry2/iteml/5821#pic1 This is one in particular I was thinking about. True the flash probably affected the aparent sheen, but compared to man made fibre shine in flash it's not too far off. Except in many poly velvets you wind up seeing the ground through the pile. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48864&item=8315843543&rd=1 Maybe someone has a different date on it, but that is some very glossy plush. (first photo sans flash) If it is chiffon velvet, just flat line it with some cotton to stabilise it for a heavier feel. I did that with my velveteen for my Elizabeth de Valois gown, and it makes a huge difference. In this way I'd think the Victoriam is going to be the better way though as there was at least one very large piece of velveteen in my Valois skirt which I think wouldn't work with the chiffon velvet. With the Victorian you have the option of puffing and otherwise catching the two layers of fabric together. But I also think one could do a row of hand tacking stitched to keep the two frabrics together. I did that with the wool interlining of my dress based on Mary of Hungary's gown. michaela de bruce http://costumes.glittersweet.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.11/45 - Release Date: 9/07/2005 _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
