Skip to content

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: There! That’s better!

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

9/18/2024

CAMConservation , 1890s fashion , textile conservation

You ever have had a project lingering around your house or work that just … bugs you? A thing that needs to be done if only someone would just DO it? This bodice was one of those projects! Every time I walked down her aisle in textile storage, I would see her sad, crumbling pink shoulder ruffle and think, “I need to tend to that one of these days.” This summer, she got tended to. I feel better, and I think she does too.

(The shoulder ruffle was conserved with dyed-to-match fabric infill for areas of loss and fully supported on dyed silk crepeline adhered from the reverse. The ensemble was patched, supported, stitched, steamed, and pressed!)

The back of a white and green dress with pink ruffles before and after treatment. The ruffles are repaired.

The back, before treatment (left) Doesn’t that sad, crumbling, and wilted ruffle break your heart? After treatment (right), whole once again and perked up.

Two-piece dress, circa 1893–1894, United States, silk, Gift of Mary L. Griggs, 1966.1143ab

The front of the dress before and after treatment. The damaged pink ruffles are repaired

The front before (left) and after treatment (right). A good steaming “fluffed” up the leg-o-mutton sleeves, back to the sort of volume its 1890s wearer would have demanded.

Two-piece dress, circa 1893–1894, United States, silk, Gift of Mary L. Griggs, 1966.1143ab

Previous Next
The full dress on a mannequin, front and back

While I’m at it, might as well put the ensemble on a mannequin! So much better.

Two-piece dress, circa 1893–1894, United States, silk, Gift of Mary L. Griggs, 1966.1143ab

Related Blog Posts

A white woman with purple hair washes the yellowed blouse and skirt in a large utility sink

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Let There Be LIGHT(ening)!
by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles
10/10/2024
In the textile conservation lab, a three-piece 1890s cotton muslin ensemble arrived for treatment!
The original Rei Kawakubo jacket (left) and the toile made from a pattern taken from it (right), front views.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: “Toile” Tales
by C. Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles
7/18/2024
Wanting to do a little more analysis of this piece, I took the jacket back to the museum’s Conservation lab and created a toile, which is like a test version of a pattern used to study and perfect how an original flat pattern works.
Two chairs with their newly-reupholstered seats

Behind the Scenes in Conversation: New seats, never been sat!
by C. Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles
6/20/2024
It was time for the ladderback chairs in Gallery 218 to get a refresh! The chairs’ silk upholstery wasn’t original and over the years, while on display, the fabric had grown dingy and stained. Curator of Decorative Arts & Design Amy Dehan selected some appropriate, modern fabric in consultation with me, and I recovered the seats!