There is to be an exhibition: Silk: From Spitalfields to Sudbury at Gainsborough's House 17th June - 8th October 2017 and furthermore a Silk Festival in 2018.
One of the current Sudbury silk producers, Vanners, exhibited at the recent Braintree Textile Fair and I was able to buy some lovely pieces at a very reasonable price. I'm going to make some snap frame purses , some with gaudy coloured bead snaps and some more elegant versions!
I then plan to offer them to the Gainsborough's House Gift Shop, as they'll fit it nicely with their exhibition theme. I'll let you know how I get on!