SERVICES AND PROCEDURES
CONSULTATION SERVICES
- Textile Examination to determine condition and potential treatment
- Textile Survey and On-site Evaluation of objects and collections
- Design of Storage Facilities
- Disaster Recovery Consultation
CLEANING
The cleaning of a textile is important not only for its overall appearance, but in order to retard its deterioration. Available treatments include hand vacuum cleaning with a low suction HEPA filtered cleaner, wet cleaning, and hand dry cleaning.
RESTORATION
Restoration is the actual replacement of missing material, employing the original techniques of manufacture. Reweaving, re-knotting, and re-stitching of textiles such as tapestries, rugs, quilts and samplers is available.
CONSERVATION
Conservation is the stabilization of existing material. Conservation by stitchery includes the sewing of fabric overlays and underlays to support and infill areas of loss. Various darning and couch stitching techniques are used to secure the support materials to the textiles.
Conservation by adhesive consolidation is often necessary for the stabilization of shattered silk fabrics and other dry rotted materials. A support material is coated with an appropriate conservation approved adhesive. The material is then heat fused to the damaged textile.
MOUNTING
Large flat textiles often require mounting onto a support frame (strainer) before framing. Finger joined pinewood, sealed with an acrylic sealant, is used to prepare the strainer. An appropriate mounting fabric is stretched and stapled to the mount. The textile is then hand stitched to the mount.
Small textiles may also be secured to a flat mount before framing. Mounts are prepared with acid free Fome Cor board that is covered with fabric. The textile is then hand stitched to the fabric covering the mount.
FRAMING
While we do not offer on-site framing services, we work in conjunction with local framers with long time experience in archival framing. New frames can be provided, or original frames can be restored as needed and re-used.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
We are available to participate in the design of textile storage facilities, as well as to pack textiles for long term storage.
We dress mannequins for costume exhibition and display.
DISASTER RECOVERY
We will work on location to triage a disaster site and determine the appropriate course of action for removal of textiles from the site. Upon examination, we will assess the condition of the textiles and propose a plan for further care.
After examination, a condition assessment and proposal outlining a course of treatment and costs involved will be prepared, and must be authorized, prior to conservation.
In accordance with the AIC (American Institute of Conservation) Standards and Practices, all treatments include written and photographic documentation.
SELECTED INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT LIST
- Smithsonian Institution
- National WWII Museum
- William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library
- U.S. Infantry Museum, Fort Benning
- U.S Chaplain Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- New Orleans Museum of Art
- Union League Club of New York
- Biltmore Estate
- Louisiana State Museum
- Museum of Mississippi History
- Confederate Memorial Hall, New Orleans
- Historic New Orleans Collection
We respect the anonymity of our private clients.