And, scene: 2021 is a Wrap!

In spite of the pandemic, we adjusted to new schedules, masks, and remained flexible as projects and exhibits kept changing…and as it turns out, we were very busy! Though it wasn’t actual travel, we did experience intense time traveling and explored the world—through textiles.

Here’s a look back at some of the textiles that kept us stitching and steaming along in 2021…and a sneak peek at what is to come in 2022…

Wishing everyone a sensationally sparkling new year!

Hillwood – Roaring 20’s

So much fun to work on-site at Hillwood preparing and building mannequins for lavish beaded stylish 20’s dresses.

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Papier

Stunning paper costumes and creations by BEA SZENFELD at the House of Sweden, Washington DC. Bea has designed paper couture for Lady Gaga and Bjork. Even though these costumes were made of paper, the artist wanted the gentle hand of a textile conservator to carefully fold, collapse, pack, and protect. We were lucky to work with Bea, via zoom, our first virtually guided de- installation.

Bea has ‘birthed’ many paper babies, of stacked- and strung-together paper circles—and each with a unique name. Even though the babies are paper, they have weight and move. These babies came to life in our arms, as we tenderly lifted, cradled, and tucked each one into a soft box for traveling.

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Shawbaker Flag 1860, Frederick City Hall

An 8-month long project coordinated with 5 other partners, including a painter, conservator, framer, art shipper and installer, Frederick Art Commission…and a summer intern from Shippensburg College. It was an intense treatment and remounting and final re-framing of an important piece of history for Frederick Maryland. Our blog is forthcoming, stay tuned.

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Mr. B’s Quilts, 1920s–1960s

Made by his great-grandma, grandmother, and aunt and passed through the family. Mr. B remembers cuddling under them as a child. One had a surprise! It is a peek-a-boo—a quilt inside a quilt. Not wanting to waste, his grandmother created a new quilt cover in the 1960s around a beloved but very worn-out older one. The fabrics in these quilts lead to clear dating.

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Yugoslavian embroidered traditional dress

Purchased in Zagreb in 1972 by our client while on an epic family world trip. She wore it for her Los Angeles HS Prom in 1975! The cream-colored and brightly embroidered linen had become significantly stained brown and foxed. Through careful cleaning, maybe her daughter or grandchildren will want to wear it for their prom someday.

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Adam & Eve Sampler

This 1700s needle art of silk on wool is such an unusual deco-style 1930s graphic of the muscular biblical couple…

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The Robert A. Facchina Italian American Museum of Washington, DC

This new museum celebrates the Italian community in DC. The exhibits contain great local storytelling—especially the enormous contribution to DC’s Federal landscape—think marble and stonework of so many of the government buildings, and the churches including the National Cathedral.

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Dynamic 60’s Wall Hanging by Brasilian artist Genaro de Carvalho

Bought by my beloved friend Kitty Hempstone on a 1960’s road trip. We cleaned, restored, and remounted it so that her grandchildren can enjoy it and imagine the stories Kitty would have told them.

Painted Portrait Scarf, Korean War, 1950s

Remarkable realistic portrait a US soldier had made of his beloved wife far at home. This is a love cloth,  so tender and personal;  her glamorous image is surrounded by the flowers and famous attractions of Korea. A real family treasure.

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Stratford Hall ‘housewif’ 18^th c silk embroidered sewing kit

This typical silk embroidered 3-dimensional case was an essential accessory for a lady of that time. Why a ‘housewif’? The term was purportedly first found in print in 1749 and refers to a portable sewing kit often used by male soldiers to repair their clothing. It might contain needles, pins, buttons, thread and show off her excellent stitching skills. Ripped, fragmented, and silk and trim falling off—this was a complex treatment to put it back together so that it looked whole and could be gently displayed.

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Christening Gown made from WWII Parachute Silk, National Museum of the Marine Corps

In August of 1945, a U.S. Navy fighter plane dropped a small parachute over the Japanese prisoner of war camp in Niigata Japan with the message, “Hang on boys. You’ll be back in the States soon.” The parachute was pocketed by Private First-Class William H. Chittenden who brought it back home when the POW camp was liberated in September 1945. His mother fashioned the parachute into an infant’s baptismal dress which was worn by all 3 of Chittenden’s children.

His survival of WWII and his blessings for the next generations through this piece of cloth are a remarkable story. While wedding dresses of parachute silk are more common, this was the first time we encountered a christening dress made fashioned from a parachute.

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1916 Pullman Coupe Deluxe for Women

This exquisite jewel box of a car with its deep forest green exterior and green and gold silk and wool upholstery, roller blinds and curtains…is one of a kind. The advertisement says it is possible to “learn to drive this elegant alluring $900 car in 30 minutes.” ‘Tailored for Her Majesty, the American Woman. The De Luxe Coupe is built to reflect the refined smartness of Milady of Today. A well-groomed, thoroughbred car…graceful in design and finished in the best of taste.”

Kaitlyn felt like Cinderella pre-ball, as she folded herself into the small vehicle for hours (days, really!) of cleaning and repairs. By the end of the treatment, the transformation was complete and glamorous once again; Kaitlyn and the Pullman are ready for the ball.

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