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.

These are tiny silk purls, compared in the photo to our normal silk purl collection.  Available to buy as individual colors, if you are interested in shaded families or collections, the color names are listed below for convenience.

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

The Neutrals Family contain French Beige, Fawn, Gold, New Pine, Dark Ivory, Silver Pink, Dark Ecru, and Ecru.  

The Stone Family contains Ice, Sage Green, Slate Green, Petrol, Silver, Dove, Pigeon, and Pale Grey.  

The Flame Family contains Chestnut, Henna, and Burnt Copper.  

The Red Family contains Cardinal, Kenya Red, Red, Begonia, and New Blush.

The Blue Family contains Dark Kingfisher and Alice Blue

The Purple Family contains Deep Crocus, Crocus, and Pale Crocus

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".

This is an amazing product, a silk gimp turned into a purl shape by winding it around a silk thread.  Very flexible I have seen it on so many embroideries used for tree trunks, grasses and in some cases as a filler on flowers in early 17th century embroiderers.  A limited edition run, this is available in color 4525.  Slightly larger than our silk purls, it would make great trees and could be used for hair as well or a lion's mane.  Sold in 1 yard packages.

These are not Cabinet of Curiosities colors but have been produced to expand the Silk Purl size 4 collection for the general market.

I am offering the colors in limited numbers of two collections for those who may be looking for something outside my color collection.  

Greens/Neutrals - 8 meters of silk purl in Olives, grey greens, purple-browns, navy and black.  These are perfect to extend the greens and to provide some building colors or very darks needed. Collection includes 44113, 42142, 43733, Noir, 41426, 43735, 42114, and 43414

Brights - 8 meters of silk purl in fun bright colors in greens, blues, pink, orange, and dark fuchsia.  Collection includes 40225, 40114, 43012, 41046, 42112, 40132, 40633, and 43045

The color numbers are 4+AVS Soie Ovale number.