Original Message From: "Susan" <hottl...@neo.rr.com> Sent: 8/2/2019 8:35:42 AM
....just received the latest newsletter from RSN & they are conserving this 1911 gown. There is a short video & some photos showing the ivory lace, jeweled lace & white fur trimmed claret velvet garment. I am not sure about the lace so perhaps an expert will comment?? Susan Hottle FLA USA 8/2/2019 10:21:42 AM Eastern Standard Time, suebabbs...@gmail.com writes: The video is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybMoUBRjHpc The outfit was worn by the Countess of Carnarvon at the Coronation of George V in 1911. More can be read at https://royal-needlework.org.uk/lady-carnarvons-coronation-robe/ and https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/the-coronation-robes/ Sue Babbs >From Jeri: Dear Lacemakers, If you received this reply directly and not through Arachne, it is because I sent you a bcc (blind carbon copy). My comments will not reach all, because AOL and Gmail do not always interface. In fact, it is possible this will never reach the group list. You'll know, if some of you received 2 copies. Many changes have been made, which I do not wish to learn. I can relate to the RSN video because of EGA and RSN experiences and classes taken in the past 50 years. Decades ago, when RSN was still at Prince's Gate in London (it is now at Hampton Court Palace), I took a design class there. It put me in close proximity to work they do to preserve womens' needlework history. When lace requires repair, it is usually done with a needle and thread. Even if it is bobbin or another type of lace - they use embroidery techniques to recreate what is missing. After cleaning and preparation (including research), threads to match have to be found, sometimes unraveled from an area that will not be seen (under another part of a costume, or seam allowance). A large selection of threads used in past generations were saved for this purpose, but have not lasted to today. Perhaps, also, matching scraps of elements - like flowers - have been salvaged through the years. Then, restoration - making a piece look whole - can begin. Remember our definitions: Restoration means to put something new in to make an item appear to be whole. However, it must be noted that it is technically no longer original. Conservation means to stop deterioration, which can include cleaning, but leaves a damaged piece pretty much as-is. Sometimes, conservation is the only action that can be done, because intervention makes old textiles fall apart. It takes an enormous amount of time to do this work, and also to learn how to do it responsibly. I recommend a book published by the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles - Changing Views of Textile Conservation. It contains a series of long essays telling about work being done in various nations to save rare ancient and not so ancient textiles. What is to be learned from this? It is very important to know how to not damage lace in the first place. Please take care of your personal 20th and 21st C. handmade lace. The world population is rapidly growing, and yet there are less people every year who know how to use bobbins and needles. If you are demonstrating and the opportunity arises, it is nice to weave into your dialogue something about lace care. For the Lacemakers of Maine, I prepared a simple "Care of Lace" list to give to viewers who seem interested. Perhaps your local lace guild should have one to publish in a newsletter? Jeri Ames in Maine USALace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
