Cleaning Nineteenth Century Needlepoint

[Adrian]

Hi all,

I've done a quick search but not found much on this. A customer has brought in two nineteenth century needlepoints (one dated 1839 on the work itself). Both have been framed by an amateur at some point and stretched by nailing the canvas (honestly!) to a timber 'inner' frame. The rust from the nails has gone into the canvas but not affected the works themselves too badly so far from what I can see.

However, it looks as though neither work has ever been under glass, and consequently they are really quite mucky. I've advised the client that this type of work should not be washed, but they would really benefit from a clean - and that I'd look into it!

Are there specialists out there that anyone knows of who would tackle this type of thing? And if so, what sort of costs might we be looking at? Any help would be most welcome.

Thanks,

Adrian

(I do actually love these unusual jobs!)

[Roboframer]

Google is your friend!

http://www.textileconservators.co.uk/index.htm

I typed in 'fabric conservators UK' and then 'textile conservators UK'

Before I did that I was going to say contact the National Trust - I've seen amazing restoration that they have done/have had done, on old bed quilts etc. The people in that link have done National Trust stuff.

I haven't looked as far as pricing on that website, but it should be expensive!

[JFeig]

Basic cleaning and blocking of a 19th C sampler should not be that expensive if you take it off the backing for the conservator.

My textile conservator would charge less than $100 for a 16" x 24".... with out any major complications.

[Not your average framer]

There's some kind of organisation based at Hampton Court Palace which may be able to advise you. I'm not quite sure of what the organisation is called, but it could be something like "The Royal School of Needlework".

They have the responsiblity for care and restoration of the U.K's national needlework treasures, etc. They also produce new needlework items for official occassions and for Royal celebrations. I think they are in some way connectied with the Institute of Conservation at Kew in Surrey.

I don't know how much help they are likely to be, but they might be able to point you in the right direction to find out more.

I hope this helps.

[Roboframer]

There's some kind of organisation based at Hampton Court Palace which may be able to advise you. I'm not quite sure of what the organisation is called, but it could be something like "The Royal School of Needlework".

I know about the RSN but like I said - Google is your friend

http://www.royal-needlework.co.uk/

They have the responsiblity for care and restoration of the U.K's national needlework treasures, etc.

I wouldn't go that far - from their website - their 'mission' is to " teach, practise and promote the art of hand embroidery to the highest standards, within both historical and contemporary design contexts"

I've had stuff in to frame from recent RSN courses - I posted one here, some Jacobean Crewel work. Mitred corners, plenty of adhesive, all stuck on to a lump of plywood.

They are mostly about technique and presentation and IMHO are, to a serious stitcher, what the FATG is to a serious framer. (Heart in the right place but needs a reality check!)

[Roboframer]

I've had stuff in to frame from recent RSN courses - I posted one here, some Jacobean Crewel work. Mitred corners, plenty of adhesive, all stuck on to a lump of plywood.

'ere you go ....

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2135

[Keith]

You might want to try this lady, I had the same thing 1869 sampler nailed to a piece of wood, she gave me a rough idea of cost over the phone.

http://www.kelleyaldridge.com

Keith

[framejunkie]

If ever anyone needs a conservator of any type, the Institute of Conservation is a useful resource -

http://www.icon.org.uk/

and specifically their conservation register -

http://www.conservationregister.com/index.asp

Always found who i need there, although photo conservators are really thin on the ground (i think i should train up!)

[Not your average framer]

I wouldn't go that far - from their website - their 'mission' is to " teach, practise and promote the art of hand embroidery to the highest standards, within both historical and contemporary design contexts"

Hi John,

There was a very interesting television documentary which I saw probably during the late 1980's or the early to mid 1990's.

It was part of a series which was about specialists involved maintaining our needlework, uphostery and fabrics heritage in museums, stately homes, royal collections etc.

The Royal School of Needlework was featured in this documentary, so I assumed from watching the documentary, that this is what the Royal School of Needlework is there for. Thanks for correcting my error.

[span2iels]

Adrian

I have searched on the Institue of Conservation web site for a conservator specialising in samplers. The closest to you is the 'Textile Restoration Studio, details as follows:
Mrs. Jacqueline -Hyman
Telephone +44(0)161 928 0020
E-mail studio@textilerestoration.co.uk
Website www.textilerestoration.co.uk

Hope this helps. When you come to frame the sampler an article titled 'Framing Antique Samplers to Museum Level' that I had published in Jan 2009 Art Business Today might help.

Mal Reynolds

[Roboframer]

Is that on line? I'm pretty sure ABT is not on line, therefore, to read that article either you have to be a FATG member or an ABT subscriber; in either case you would already have the magazine, (unless of course you joined/subscribed too late for that issue) but maybe you missed that article and still have the magazine.

If not you could of course contact the FATG/ABT and purchase a back issue and I don't think any reader of this thread is going to do that.

In UK TPB is on line, in the USA PFM is on line and so is decor magazine.

[Adrian]

Thanks for all the replies everyone - some very interesting and useful comments and links there. I've now been in contact with a couple of people who have indicated prices and discussed some of the issues with me. Customer, however, left the pieces with me and disappeared on holiday ................

Guess what - I bought a book from FATG before I started out at the beginning of the year. Along with this they sent a sample copy of Art Business Today - January 2009 what a piece of luck! Very interesting article Mal and has been very useful to me - should also help me to sound a bit more knowledgeable in front of the client.

Adrian

[span2iels]

Hi Adrian

Pleased you have the article should you have any questions then please ring.

MalR