Ahoy there, Mateys! – Part 1 Often, when we think of textiles, we think of fashion or women’s handwork. But in many cultures, it is the men who are the master weavers, dyers, block printers, and high-end tailors. So this two-part post is dedicated to the gentlemen! Just for you, I have selected some truly […]
The Technological Significance of Textiles
Today I’m thrilled to share with you an amazing article by critically acclaimed author Virginia Postrel. An exploration of the technological significance of textiles, Virginia examines fabric’s cultural importance – whether buried in antiquity, hidden in our language, or glamorized in glossy periodicals. It’s a fascinating read that is sure to leave your head spinning! […]
A Final PS from Jakarta: Traditional Batik Making Lives On
Reflections From A Long Time Admirer And Importer Of Fine Batiks I first met Bill Royer as a child in Southeast Asia. Bill was enchanted with the hand crafts and skills found in batik making and basketry, carving, lacquer, farming, cooking, food, clothing and the many rural ceremonies centered around religion and seasons. For many […]
Looking Through The Eye of a Needle
Let’s get to the point… Needles are a textile conservator’s best friend. We stab them through wool, tunnel them through tapestry warps, and tenderly ply them through lace and silk. Needles are our partners in constructing ladders and herringbones, our tools for figure-eights, and our means of tacking down loose embroidery. Archeological evidence suggests that […]
Making Fashion Pop
The intersection of disposable clothing and pop art. by Lauren Klamm Production of paper clothing began with a 1966 American Scott Paper Company promotion offering an inexpensive paper dress, and quickly become a popular fashion novelty, with a large number of clothing items such as men’s vests, bridal gowns and even underwear. Major retail outlets such […]
Farewell, adieu Sam-pay ketamu lagi Museum Tekstil Jakarta!
Hats off to a great project and stay here in Jakarta! Ending on a wonderfully high note, 75 textile lovers attended my Talk Show covering the Conservation of the Iwan Tirta batiks…great turnout, gorgeous batik sarong and attire and brilliant discussion. today! Here I am with my so cool and eloquent MC Dyan–perfectly dressed […]
Washington Post article features Julia Brennan’s preservation work on Lady Astor’s coronation gown
The Post’s Cathy Alter spent some time with Julia in her studio observing the restoration and preservation of the Danville, Va. native’s coronation gown. Click here to read about Julia and Caring For Textiles as she unfolds the history of this significant ensemble. (photos by Andre Chung/for The Washington Post) [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”16″ gal_title=”Lady Astor”]
Jakarta Post 3#: I am BECOMING batik!!
I am BECOMING batik! It’s my daily language, looking at patterns, learning the names, asking millions of questions, feeling the soft cotton, learning about maestros such as Go Tik Swan -who I now want to make a film about. Everyone at the Museum Tekstil is so knowledgeable about batik, symbolism, history and ritual. It’s […]
Jakarta post #2: Everybody loves wet cleaning!
Everybody loves wet cleaning! Wet cleaning is called cuci, pronounced chuchee in Indonesian—and it means washing. Washing is a major part of our conservation project. After many years of exposure and city pollution, the Iwan Tirta batiks are dry and crispy, acidic and soiled. They desperately need cleaning to brighten the colors and neutralize the pH […]
Julia returns to Jakarta: Installment #1
Julia returns to her birthplace of Java, on a mission to preserve a national batik treasure. In early April, Julia returned to her birthplace of Java, to preserve an important collection of batik by Iwan Tirta; a joint project of the US Embassy and Musuem Tekstil–the batik of diplomacy. This is the first of several […]
