Description
Caring for textiles demands an understanding of how and why they deteriorate. This course offers a simplified explanation of the origin and structure of textile fibers as well as the finished textile object; be it either a piece of whole cloth or a finished garment. Care of Textiles teaches students to identify fibers, fabric structures and finishes, write condition reports, and understand the agents of deterioration that are harmful to various fabrics both in storage on exhibit. Topics include preparing textiles for storage and exhibit, the use of archival materials with textiles, and three dimensional supports.
Course Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Textiles and Their Structures
3. Textile Documentation and Condition Report Writing
4. Textiles and Their Environment
5. Handling of Textiles
6. Treating Textiles
7. Care of Textiles in Storage
8. Care of Textiles on Exhibit
9. Conclusion
Course Text: Harold Mailand and Dorothy Stites Alig, Preserving Textiles: A Guide for the Non-Specialist, Indianapolis Museum of Art
Optional Text: Konstanze Bachmann, editor, Conservation Concerns: A Guide for Collectors and Curators, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992.
