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!)