What is a textile conservator and when do you need to contact one? Textile conservation is the caring for and repairing of textile objects. These objects can be everyday garments or important historical flags. They can be a tapestry that is hundreds of years old or a quilt stitched a few decades ago. They can […]
Textile Conservation 101
My Journey to Textile Conservation: Past, Present, and Future
Beginnings One of the first hurdles to becoming a textile conservator is knowing that the field exists at all. Many people have interests in museums, art, craft, history, or science but have no idea that they could channel these passions into textile conservation. Very few people (including several of my family members) known what textile […]
Fabulous Fibers: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral (and Synthetic too)
As I discussed in my last post, textiles are all made out of fibers. But what are fibers? Fibers are the small units that make up textiles. If you pull out a single strand from a clump of wool, you’ve got yourself a wool fiber. Animal Fibers Fibers are categorized by their origin. Animal (also […]
What is a textile? Tapestries, shoes, and more?
I’ve already explained what a textile conservator is, but what exactly is a textile? The meaning seems obvious until you try to clearly define what is a textile. A tapestry is clearly a textile, but what about a shoe? Does it matter if the shoe is made of silk or leather? Should you bring it […]
Who are textile conservators?
Textile conservators are professionals who care for, treat, and preserve important textile objects. These objects may include a family heirloom christening gown, a famous wrestler’s ring attire, or a fragment from an archaeological dig. These textiles may be ancient or modern, in tatters or pristine, priceless or only valued by their owners. Textile conservators may […]