Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
> I have to agree with Suzi. I don't wash my velvets before or after I > sew...it seems to mess with the pyle/pile. ok, it gets funky after it's > washed; however gently. And I've found all the velvet I have washed looks infinitely better than when I first got it. Same with many people around me who wash fabrics the second they get them. I was all mine in cold water with enough powder to remove whatever treatment is put on. I find velveteen here especially given some treatment that makes them mush harsher than they need to be. I snubbed velveteen for years because of it. I also either use fabric conditioner or regular conditioner (ok, high end stuff, but it's made for hair anyway;) ) and then hang it out on a day where it's either mildly windy (beats out folds and wrinkles) or on a damp day with light breezes. If the pile still isn't soft I'll hand spritz it with a mixture of water an my best conditioner and pat the pile until it feels better. I've had cotton velvet curtains come up beautifully this way too. Necessary when you are poor and the only large lot of velvet of this thickness you can get is by buying second hand. And when velveteen in the shops is less than perfect. I have had poly velvet get wet and then go crunchy when dry (though it was able to be brushed softer again), which really made me nervous the first time I washed cotton velvet. But I have also washed a viscose piled silk backed velvet with no adverse reaction. Gentle cycle cold water. I suspect success has as much to to with the actual fabric bought (and prestore treatment) as the water you have (our water fluctuates between soft and hard and musty) and the machine and drying space etc. I consider myself lucky to live in Auckland, even though the humidity is extremely frustrating from a comfort point of view, just as the rain is, it can be great for some washing needs. If not general washing needs;) We don't have a dryer btw, which is probably not the case for the vast majority here. We simply have no need of it. If it's cold and wet we usually have the heater on and the lounge becomes a laundry room over night. If it's a lovely day they we have two seperate drying areas. michaela de bruce http://glittersweet.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.14/48 - Release Date: 13/07/2005 ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
Hey everyone, I have to agree with Suzi. I don't wash my velvets before or after I sew...it seems to mess with the pyle/pile. ok, it gets funky after it's washed; however gently. Just my 4 cents (inflation + GW Bush, ya Know) Rhonda Rhonda Donaldson LTA II e-Reserves Jr. Guru in Training Circulation Department Downtown Campus Library P O Box 6069 Morgantown, WV 26506 293-4040 x4094 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken." --Frank Herbert "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7/11/2005 3:15:10 AM >>> At 04:36 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: >Why do you want to wash it? I never, ever wash velvet, (of any kind) and >the suppliers here in England are horrifeid at the thought. I don't see the >point of buying a fabric for its look and feel, then washing it to change >that. > >Suzi in London I wash my cotton velveteens and cotton velvets all the time. Why? To allow me to clean it at home, with gentle detergent and rinse, and then hang to dry. Otherwise, my costumes would cost a fortune to keep dry cleaned, not to mention all the trims I would have to remove first as dry cleaners here mangle or melt them. If I am using velvet it is for an elaborate gown, covered with trims, and totally unsuitable for washing. I have customers from 20 years ago who have only had their costumes dry cleaned, and they are in excellent condition, no melting or mangling. Obviously it takes all sorts. Not to mention that some of the velvets I have purchased have the nastiest hand before wash (all the treatments), and soften up nicely after wash. I have never had to buy velvets that I didn't like the hand of - I don't give customers those to sample!! And the rayons here are not really shiny at all. However, the so-called silk velvets are really nasty looking, and expensive, but usually look cheap!! I won't touch them at all. Isn't it fascinating how different our experiences qwith fabrics are? Suzi in London mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 7/10/2005 7:43:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I prefer cotton velvet - there is no cotton velveteen anywhere in England that I can find - but if my customers are not well off, rayon velvet sometimes has to do. Granted I don't do Tudor period, but here is my opinion on velvet. I think rayon velvet actually simulates silk velvet better than cotton does because rayon is a filament fiber and cotton is staple--silk is also a filament fiber. It is true, though, that many cotton velvets have a good heavy weight and rayon velvet can be pretty thin and slippery. And it can be difficult to sew, but this can be overcome with patience. If it were offered to me, I would probably take it. I concur. Personally, I feel that good-quality cotton velvet is the best non-silk velvet for re-creation (taking into account weight, drape, ease of use although losing a little in sheen). But having said that, rayon velvet has some advantages and is not to be sniffed at. Besides that, you shouldn't pass up free fabric. -- Adele de Maisieres - Quot homines, tot sententiae. - ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
In a message dated 7/11/2005 8:44:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I wash my cotton velveteens and cotton velvets all the time. Why? I used to get [when I lived in Greensboro, NC] heavy cotton velvet "scraps" free from a company called SECCOA [it's an anagram forsomething] that makes theatre curtains and "blacks". Since the lengths used to make the curtains are the height of whatever proscenium they are to decorate, if there was a flaw in the fabrics say 6 yards into a 10 yard piece for a 30' proscenium, that piece would get cut off and become a 6 yard scrap I'd go get lengths of 4 to 6 yards usually. "Thank goodness we don't have to lug them to the dumpster" the girls would say as I came to haul these enormous scraps off. Anyway, I'd always wash the heavy velvet. It got out a salt treatment put in the fabric to make it fire proof and the nap would fluff up beautifully. It's the kind of velvet whose color changes an entire shade from nap up to nap down. [Many rayon velvets don't seem to do this.] Better cut everything out in one direction! I had a steamer to "iron" the velvet. I might wash a rayon velvet to fluff it up. But thank god for the steamer! ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
At 04:36 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: >Why do you want to wash it? I never, ever wash velvet, (of any kind) and >the suppliers here in England are horrifeid at the thought. I don't see the >point of buying a fabric for its look and feel, then washing it to change >that. > >Suzi in London I wash my cotton velveteens and cotton velvets all the time. Why? To allow me to clean it at home, with gentle detergent and rinse, and then hang to dry. Otherwise, my costumes would cost a fortune to keep dry cleaned, not to mention all the trims I would have to remove first as dry cleaners here mangle or melt them. If I am using velvet it is for an elaborate gown, covered with trims, and totally unsuitable for washing. I have customers from 20 years ago who have only had their costumes dry cleaned, and they are in excellent condition, no melting or mangling. Obviously it takes all sorts. Not to mention that some of the velvets I have purchased have the nastiest hand before wash (all the treatments), and soften up nicely after wash. I have never had to buy velvets that I didn't like the hand of - I don't give customers those to sample!! And the rayons here are not really shiny at all. However, the so-called silk velvets are really nasty looking, and expensive, but usually look cheap!! I won't touch them at all. Isn't it fascinating how different our experiences qwith fabrics are? Suzi in London mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
In a message dated 7/10/2005 7:43:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I prefer cotton velvet - there is no cotton velveteen anywhere in England that I can find - but if my customers are not well off, rayon velvet sometimes has to do. Granted I don't do Tudor period, but here is my opinion on velvet. I think rayon velvet actually simulates silk velvet better than cotton does because rayon is a filament fiber and cotton is staple--silk is also a filament fiber. It is true, though, that many cotton velvets have a good heavy weight and rayon velvet can be pretty thin and slippery. And it can be difficult to sew, but this can be overcome with patience. If it were offered to me, I would probably take it. Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
At 04:36 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: Why do you want to wash it? I never, ever wash velvet, (of any kind) and the suppliers here in England are horrifeid at the thought. I don't see the point of buying a fabric for its look and feel, then washing it to change that. Suzi in London I wash my cotton velveteens and cotton velvets all the time. Why? To allow me to clean it at home, with gentle detergent and rinse, and then hang to dry. Otherwise, my costumes would cost a fortune to keep dry cleaned, not to mention all the trims I would have to remove first as dry cleaners here mangle or melt them. Not to mention that some of the velvets I have purchased have the nastiest hand before wash (all the treatments), and soften up nicely after wash. Then again, I don't buy rayon velvets as our groups locally consider them too shiny for "ren faire use" (we do Henry VIII to Elizabethan). But for other costuming things, I wouldn't mind... but I'd rather get the silk/rayon just cause it drapes better. And yes, I would gently pre-wash those as well. Kimiko in Fresno, CA, USA. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
At 04:04 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: 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? A few questions to help you decide: Are you involved in a group activity where the group is fine with rayon velvet use in the costumes? If not involved, are you ok with using rayon velvet for one project or several? Are you willing to do a lot of hand basting (better than lots of pins) in order to control the "velvet creep" while machine sewing? Do you have a garment in mind when you look at the fabric, that does scream "make me!!!"? Do you have space for the 8m of fabric? If your answers are yes to any or most of the above, then by all means, accept the gift. If no is the common answer, then decline, and let the person give to charity. Personally, I would accept it, and if after a year I hadn't found a suitable use, then I would give to a charity, perhaps in the name of the original donor. But the decision is yours. Have fun if you do! Kimiko ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
> 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 had some rayon velvet one time that I used to wrap gifts to give to people at costume events. Instead of wrapping paper, I used velvet. Add some ribbon and you have a beautiful gift on the inside AND outside ;~> Or you could make wall hangings or curtains out of it Diana www.RenaissanceFabrics.net "Everything for the Costumer" ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
> 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 h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
At 04:04 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: >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) >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? >Also if I were to take it what sort of era would suit 8m of Rayon velvet? >I'm primarily interested in Tudor (my first thought was something like >http://www.tudor-portraits.com/Mary5.jpg or a loose gown like this >http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/images/Mary09.jpg) but I'm also open to >Elizabethan, 18th or 19th century ideas (there's nothing preventing me from >doing 17th century except that I haven't yet come across a 17th century >fashion that really grabs me and says "wear me!") >thanks >Elizabeth Given that rayon velvet is generally very difficult to sew (watch it slither away from you) and that it does not have the right hand or drape for pre-20th century clothing, I'd say "Thank you very much for thinking of me, but ..." and send it off to charity. Joan Jurancich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Why do you say that? I find it works perfectly well for any period, providing you use the right patterns. I prefer cotton velvet - there is no cotton velveteen anywhere in England that I can find - but if my customers are not well off, rayon velvet sometimes has to do. You can see several examples of it in wear on my web site - The Henry Vlll and Anne Boleyn figures are both wearing rayon velvet, as are the "Ramirez" characters - both I seem to remember. Suzi (www.suziclarke.co.uk) mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
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) 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? Also if I were to take it what sort of era would suit 8m of Rayon velvet? I'm primarily interested in Tudor (my first thought was something like http://www.tudor-portraits.com/Mary5.jpg or a loose gown like this http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/images/Mary09.jpg) but I'm also open to Elizabethan, 18th or 19th century ideas (there's nothing preventing me from doing 17th century except that I haven't yet come across a 17th century fashion that really grabs me and says "wear me!") I have used rayon velvet for Tudor with no problems - you just need to pin it and pin it and pin it. Why do you want to wash it? I never, ever wash velvet, (of any kind) and the suppliers here in England are horrifeid at the thought. I don't see the point of buying a fabric for its look and feel, then washing it to change that. Suzi in London mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] rayon velvet any use?
At 04:04 AM 7/10/2005, you wrote: 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) 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? Also if I were to take it what sort of era would suit 8m of Rayon velvet? I'm primarily interested in Tudor (my first thought was something like http://www.tudor-portraits.com/Mary5.jpg or a loose gown like this http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/images/Mary09.jpg) but I'm also open to Elizabethan, 18th or 19th century ideas (there's nothing preventing me from doing 17th century except that I haven't yet come across a 17th century fashion that really grabs me and says "wear me!") thanks Elizabeth Elizabeth Walpole Canberra Australia ewalpole[at]tpg.com.au http://au.geocities.com/e_walpole/ Given that rayon velvet is generally very difficult to sew (watch it slither away from you) and that it does not have the right hand or drape for pre-20th century clothing, I'd say "Thank you very much for thinking of me, but ..." and send it off to charity. Joan Jurancich [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
