RE: William Morris Textiles

["Frisina, Ann" <Ann.Frisina@xxxxxxxx>]

I worked on a set of Dove and Rose William Morris Curtains some years back
mid 90's at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  

After disassembling, separating them from their lining I wet cleaned them in
the standard dilute .05% solution of Orvus W.A. Paste and Water.  I also
added a touch of Igepal to facilitate the removal of a greasy particulate
often found on home furnishings in urban environments like NYC.  I was
careful to keep the temperature around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  They cleaned
up very well.  However, if I were to wet clean another pair I would still
spot test for fugitive dyes.  I remember the curtains being a little stiff
originally and wet cleaning helped to return some of its flexibility. 

The wet cleaning was followed with support patches hand stitched in place to
support weakened areas along the edges most handled.  

Unfortunately I have no real memory of how I dealt with the lining fabric or
even if it was original to the curtains.  However if your lining is in
really bad condition why not make a physical file for documentation purposes
and re-lined them with a similar fabric.  After all lining fabrics are
supposed to take the brunt of the sun, and temperature fluctuations.  I
can't imaging many being able to hold up for long periods of time.

Good luck with your work! 

Ann Frisina
Textile Conservator
Minnesota Historical Society
e-Mail: ann.frisina@xxxxxxxx
(651) 297-5490



 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary W. Ballard [mailto:BallardM@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 1:58 PM
To: texcons@xxxxxxxxxxxx; joan_marshall@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: William Morris Textiles


You may wish to contact Lynda Hillyer, head of textile conservation at the
Victoria & Albert Museum. Also, Linda Parry who is (was?) the curator there
involved with the Morris textiles has written several books on the subject.
Best wishes, Mary Ballard

>>> joan_marshall@xxxxxxxxxxxx 01/28/99 11:53PM >>>
I need information from anyone who has done cleaning and/or other
conservation of William Morris textiles.  I am trying to make some decisions
about the cleaning and repair of a set of silk and wool Jacquard weave
cotton lined curtains.  The pattern is Dove and Rose.  There are holes and
abraded areas; the lining is heavy, water stained and discoloured overall;
the silk is weak with areas of loss; and the curtains reek of tobacco smoke.

If anyone has treated any similar Morris textiles, I would be interested in
their experience.  I want to know if any precedent has been established in
their treatment.  Simply put, I would like to remove the lining in order to
save the textile.  In fact, I'd like to keep the fabric lining as as far
away as possible from the curtain fabric!  I have only minimal information
about the curtain provenance; I know where the fabric was woven and where
the curtains were hung, but not where the curtains were made.

If anyone has dealt with a similar dilemma, I would like to hear about it.

Thanks,
Joan Marshall