padded hangers

["Deborah Bede" <stillwaterstudio@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've made padded hangers several ways over the years, and I still like to
use more than one method.  Garments from different periods have different
shoulder slopes, so for proper support you should match the slope of the
hanger to the garment.  For really straight shoulder lines, I use those
simple wood bar hangers, coated with water-borne polyurethane, lots of
needle-punched polyester batting, and muslin or cotton surgical stockinette.

I've also been using polystyrene hangers in a technique that I picked up in
Minnesota (I believe it was developed by Susan Heald).  These hangers, which
come in only one shoulder slope that I know of, have a great advantage over
wood hangers in that they are formed with a broad shoulder surface, reducing
the need for padding.  The other truly great thing about this method is that
it involves no sewing and a hanger can literally be made in a minute.
Needle-punched batting is cut with a rotary cutter and wrapped around the
hanger.  The outer covering of the hangers is cotton surgical stockinette,
washed, that is simply pulled over the hanger and tucked in at the ends.
This method lends itself very well to a production line approach, and it's
great when volunteers or other personnel don't sew.  The way I understand
it, polystyrene is a stable material if it is protected from light, so this
use of it is ideal.

I've written a handout describing the technique and including a suppliers
list - if anyone would like one, send me your street address and I'll gladly
send one out.

Deborah Bede
Stillwater Textile Conservation Studio
196 Old Warner Road
Bradford, NH 03221
(603) 938-2310
(603) 938-2455 fax
stillwaterstudio@xxxxxxxxxxx