Biltmore Replication Project 2009 - Finished!

Last week I finished a huge textile replication project for the Biltmore Estate. By huge I mean the time it took - 2 years and 1 1/2 months to complete. The individual pelmets, similar to a valance, are not large 21" x 102" finished but they are very rich in color, materials and detail. A "textile replication" is as exact a copy of the original textile as possible. The original panels are not in good enough condition to rehang when they restore and open the Second Floor Living Hall in 2011. My four pelmets will hand in their stead. The top photo shows the panels being lined and backed at my friend Bernie Rowell's studio. The gold cotton sateen is a wonderful tight woven fabric and necessitated keeping my needle sharp with the sand strawberry. The bottom photo shows a finished pelmet, the darker brown velveteen end panels were probably added to the central embroidered panels when the Vanderbilts had them made into pelmets. The brown velvet hangs on the side of the pelmet frame with the entire embroidery panel spanning across the window and drapes that will hang below. It will be wonderful to see them hanging in their glory once again when the Second Floor Living Hall opens in 2011.