Handout

[Margaret Geiss-Mooney <mgmooney@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Deborah! Could I get a copy of your handout on hangers that you
mentioned?
My snail mail is: 1124 Clelia Court, Petaluma, CA 94954-5617. Thanks!
Meg Geiss-Mooney

Deborah Bede wrote:
> 
> 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