RE: index system for historic textile samples

["Richards, Elizabeth" <elizabeth.richards@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A system we use for non-artifact samples is a file folder made out of
nonwoven nylon or polyester.  The file folder is made like a normal file
folder (i.e. it hangs on metal rods which we purchased from a file folder
manufacturer) but a Mylar sheet is sewn (by machine) to the front hanging
section.  The samples are sewn by hand to the inside of the folder.  Some of
the samples are small and some are folded in order that we have a print
repeat.  The Mylar sleeve holds a descriptive sheet and any labels or other
information that came with the samples.
	These samples are mainly 20C samples.  Samples earlier than this
tend to be artifacts and are numbered and treated quite differently.  Many
of these are mounted, ready for presentation in frames.  We have tried to
standardize the mount sizes.  Some of the very special fabrics, or
particularily fragile fabrics have special book mounts so you can look at
both sides of the fabrics (by closing the mount and turning it over, like a
book).  These take a long longer to prepare than the unmounted 20C fabrics.

In my personal quilting fabric samples (20 c) I use polyethylene photograph
sheets.  I find that they come in various sizes and I can simply slip the
fabric into the slots.  This way the fabric isn't sitched down - so it's
simple and quick.  I have them organized in decades in color groupings.  I
haven't written material on any of them - although if I get reference
material I could just put it in next to the fabrics.  Many of my fabrics are
quite small and I have them in the slide holder size sleeves.  This way you
can look at lots of fabrics very quickly.  They aren't in binders, just in
hanging file folders - but they could be in binders.  I like them because
when I talk to quilters they can look at the samples but not touch the
fabrics. 
	My 19c quilting samples are blocks and fabrics.  They are
interleafed with nonwoven fabrics and stored in tote boxes. 

Dr. Elizabeth Richards
Professor, Department of Human Ecology
3-39 Human Ecology Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada  
T6G 2N1
Phone:  780 - 492-2475  Fax:  780-492-4821


-----Original Message-----
From: Joan Kiplinger [mailto:jkip@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 3:58 PM
To: texcons@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: index system


     I want to start an index system to mount my vintage fabric swatches.
I've
decided to use archival index cards for easy maintenance and retrieval,
mounting swatch on one side and information on other.  Notebooks take up too
much room, are bulky and hard to handle.
     I know  Gaylords carries archival index cards but I need a source for
archival clear protector sleeves to fit over card. I would also like to know
if
there are other archival supply companies which carry index systems so I can
compare them to Gaylords.. Does anyone know a source selling index-size
protectors and other archival supply firms?
     Would also welcome  suggestions if there is a more convenient fabric
identification method than index cards. Thanx