Silk Purls

These threads are copper wire wrapped with filament silk and then coiled over a mandrel into a purl. They are couched in place with matching silk threads, such as Au Ver a Soie 100/3 or Soie Paris.  The purls can be couched down as seen to outline and fill figures. They can also be stretched and used to form hair for lions or people in stumpwork. Often they are cut into shorter pieces and threaded onto silk to be sewn in place, forming loops which stick up off the fabric. Entire flowers were filled using this technique. 

Individual colors are sold that match the Cabinet of Curiosities Historic Colors. Note that garnet color can work as the dark value for both the flame and redde families.  

Note that the new purple is a more reddish purple than in previous years.

This product line is being discontinued. 

These are tiny silk purls, compared in the photo to our normal silk purl collection.  Available to buy as individual colors.

Individual boxes of tiny silk purl are available in 18" quantities.

These are very large silk purls which can be used for heavy texture on pieces.  Ideas include tubes for fountain spouts, tree trunks, arbor vines or structures.  About 2 mm in diameter.  The boxes contain 18" of the silk purl.

The mixed box contains a piece of every color between 1.5"-6"long.  The boxes are stuffed full and between 24"-30" total.

This flat silk covered wire scallop trim is about 2 mm wide and is found stitched as an accent on 17th century stump work.  Made in Au Ver a Soie colors, it starts as a #8 silk purl.  Depending on the amount of stretch and roller system used, there are two levels of overlap that can be made.  In this version, the loops lay next to each other so the entire loop can be seen.

Each box contains 18".

New 2021 Colors:  2912, 2916, and 710

This trim is a beautiful way to accent your stumpwork.  It is about 1/8" wide.

New 2021 color: 2916

Small silk laid down trim is a useful small size of a loopy trim.  I like to use it to add a stand-up layer between silk purls, a nice line of trim such as a stem or pull it out a bit so the loops don't overlap anymore and use it as the wire edge for leaves and petals.

Each box has 18" of the trim that is laid down, it can be gently pulled as shown in the video to make a longer length of small silk scallop trim.  

New 2021 Colors:  703, Cream, F15, 2533, 2646, 616, 615, and 4521

This is a thicker silk wrapped wire that uses the base from #4 silk wrapped purls.  Useful for making stumpwork leaves and flowers - skip wrapping the wire yourself with silk!  

Each tube has 10 meters of silk wrapped wire

The Brights package has 1 tube each of 2126, 199, 0072, 741, 945 and 933

The Neutrals Package has 1 tube each of Cream, 4534, noir, 2533, 615, and 3314

A limited number of 615 silk wire are available.

These colors are new, yet limited in nature as they are neutrals which aren't sold in high volume in purls, so we have made some to fill the gap but not enough for long term sales.  But if you are looking for something in the neutrals in size 4 purl - here is a chance to grab some of the colors produced.

The color numbers are 4+AVS Soie Ovale number.

New Limited Colors for 2021:  615, 2915, and 4521

These are limited colors and are neutrals and brights that are outside of the historic color line.

Small silk laid down trim is a useful small size of a loopy trim.  I like to use it to add a stand-up layer between silk purls, a nice line of trim such as a stem or pull it out a bit so the loops don't overlap anymore and use it as the wire edge for leaves and petals.

Each box has 18" of the trim that is laid down, it can be gently pulled as shown in the video to make a longer length of small silk scallop trim.