As we often recommend - take care of your textiles (including laces) so they do not require professional conservation/restoration.  News has come that this very unique 15 foot x 12 foot 1951 textile, designed by and made under the direction of Constance Howard, is undergoing conservation. Perhaps you would think this three- to five-year endeavor of interest, especially since it probably did not take that many years to create. The padded figures are five eights the size of an average person and in high relief on flat felt backings. This clearly shows in the photos at:Â
https://www.nationalneedleworkarchive.org.uk/country-wife-mural.html  Perhaps someone can find a nice full-screen photo of this wall hanging and share the address. I found photos, but greatly reduced in size. A lacemaker is located in the extreme lower right corner.   Constance Howard, was a teacher well-known to American embroiderers. We were quite fascinated with her bright green (almost turquoise) hair back in the 1980s. Her obituary states she began this transformation in the 1930s using lithographer's ink! There are 11 books by her in my library, and probably more were written.  Her accomplishments were considerable and included establishing the Department of Embroidery at Goldsmiths' College, London, in 1948 - at a time when embroidery was not considered "art". She was appointed MBE in 1975. She died in 2000.  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1349752/Constance-Howard.html  Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace 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/
