Caring for Cultural Material 1

Caring for Cultural Material 2

Damage and Decay

Managing Collections

Managing People

Handling, Transportation, Storage and Display

Glossary

Index

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Caring for Cultural Material 2
In this volume:
arrow Textiles
– Leather
– Wood
– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Material
– Metals
– Outdoor Collections
– Acknowledgments
TEXTILES
In this chapter:
– Objectives
arrow Introduction
– What do we mean by textiles?
– What are the most common types of damage?
– Common causes of damage
– The do's and don'ts of handling textiles
– The do's and don'ts of labelling textiles
– Historical costumes—why they should not be worn
– Storing textiles
– Storing accessories
– The best materials for storing and displaying textiles
– Displaying textiles
– Open hanging methods for flat textiles
– Displaying historic costume
– Cleaning textiles
– Summary of conditions for storage and display
– Textiles in Australia's climatic zones
  MORE ABOUT TEXTILES
– A note on the use of Tyvek
– Selecting fabrics, threads and stitches for textile conservation
– For further reading
– Self-evaluation quiz
– Answers to self-evaluation quiz

 

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TEXTILES

Introduction

Textiles are found in many collections in museums, galleries and libraries. They are valued for their historic interest, their aesthetic appeal and their cultural significance.

Because of their wide appeal, textiles—particularly historic costume—are often on permanent display in regional museums. They make striking exhibits and are very evocative of times gone by. But our great interest in them can be their greatest enemy.

Many textiles are very familiar, everyday items. For this reason, we don't always realise just how fragile they are and so don't always give them the care that they need. We display them, wash them, wear them, and feel them to enjoy the texture of the fabric; and in doing all of these things we expose the textiles to the risk of damage.

With a greater understanding of how to handle, display and store textiles safely, it is possible to take steps to improve the care of the textiles and to ensure ongoing access to the historic and cultural information and the aesthetic pleasure that they provide.

 

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