Is anyone aware of any source for alpaca?
My limited research indicates that the "alpaca" of the civil war period wasn't pure alpaca, but rather alpaca woven on a cotton warp in order to strengthen it.
Is there something else out there that would be close? Supposedly "alpaca" was also made with wool or mohair & the descriptions I've read of brilliantine (mohair on a cotton warp) almost always state that it is similar in appearance to alpaca. But so far, I haven't had any luck finding brilliantine either.
I'm currently working on a federal frock coat for myself and would like to use something other than polished cotton...or black linen...
Is there a more authentic substitute for alpaca out there? I have some left over FHW black satinette, which (to me) sounds like what you'd come up with if you tried to make immitation "alpaca" without the alpaca, but the satinette lacks the sheen and wiriness of what I think actual alpaca would have looked like when new.
Any info on a source for alpaca or a good authentic substitute would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt Wright
My limited research indicates that the "alpaca" of the civil war period wasn't pure alpaca, but rather alpaca woven on a cotton warp in order to strengthen it.
Is there something else out there that would be close? Supposedly "alpaca" was also made with wool or mohair & the descriptions I've read of brilliantine (mohair on a cotton warp) almost always state that it is similar in appearance to alpaca. But so far, I haven't had any luck finding brilliantine either.
I'm currently working on a federal frock coat for myself and would like to use something other than polished cotton...or black linen...
Is there a more authentic substitute for alpaca out there? I have some left over FHW black satinette, which (to me) sounds like what you'd come up with if you tried to make immitation "alpaca" without the alpaca, but the satinette lacks the sheen and wiriness of what I think actual alpaca would have looked like when new.
Any info on a source for alpaca or a good authentic substitute would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt Wright
Comment