[SCA-AS] RE: [SCA_NaturalDyes] Saving Antique Silk?

[Margaret Geiss-Mooney]

Greetings and salutations – In the mundane world, I am a textile/costume
conservator in private practice. I am a SCA newbie and so don’t have a  SCA
persona yet. Is she planning to wear the dress or just display it? The
bottom line is that there is nothing to stop the splitting and shredding
(inherent vice problem). If she wishes to wear it, my first suggestion is to
make a replica (using a synthetic fibre fabric) making a pattern from the
original. Depending on how much disintegration has already happened,
stitching to a backing might not be an option and usually means the dress
can’t be worn. An adhesive solution (adhesive attaching to a backing)may be
the only way to keep all the bits and pieces on the same plane but wearing
it would not be an option either with this solution. It really depends on
the current physical condition and where the damage is located.

Regards,

Margaret Geiss-Mooney

Textile/Costume Conservator

Professional Associate, AIC

mgmooney at moonware.net

   _____  

Greetings, please feel free to forward this where you think it'd help....

A friend of mine has an Edwardian / Victorian wedding dress of brown
silk, which of course is disintegrating due to the tannins / iron in the
dye. Is there any conservation that can be done, or does she have to
stitch the silk to a backing like I've seen done with flags, or something
else?


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