By Kirstin Ingram, Second year student, MPhil Textile Conservation Dyeing support fabrics can sometimes feel like witchcraft even with synthetic dyes: you mix potions together, stir at a boiling pot, and turn a piece of undyed fabric into any colour of the rainbow. However, sometimes this magic can involve a lot of trial and error… Continue reading
by Nicole Giacomantonio, recent graduate. I was very fortunate to spend the last month at the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research to undertake the final stage of treatment on a 1920s’ gold beaded dress belonging to Glasgow Museums. The dress (E.1973.62.b) was originally purchased from Murielle’s of Sauchiehall St in Glasgow and… Continue reading
By Erinn Dunlea, first year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. Conservators must tailor each conservation treatment to the needs of the object in their care. This can be informed by the object’s nature, condition, and the context and objectives of the treatment. This past semester I undertook the conservation of a length of fabric which belongs… Continue reading
by Daniel Sanchez Villavicencio, PhD student in History of Art. As part of my PhD in History of Art, I am aiming to characterise the context and manufacturing technique of a group of painted trade union banners in the collection of Glasgow Museums, all made by the companies of George Kenning towards the turn of… Continue reading
By Laura G. García Vedrenne, second year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. As part of our taught lessons at the CTC, we study photodegradation and its effects on dyes and textile fibres. Last semester, I treated the apron of an early 20th century bisque doll dressed in regional costume, belonging to Glasgow Museums, which had suffered… Continue reading
by Megan Creamer, 1st year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. While on break this spring, Staphany Cheng, Aisling Macken, and I had the opportunity to assist with wet cleaning a large 16th century tapestry at the Burrell Collections with textile conservator Helen Hughes. This French/Flemish tapestry, Verdure with the Arms of Miro, spent many years of… Continue reading
By Josephine Dear, MLitt Dress and Textile Histories student and Lorna Rowley, 2nd year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. Part 1: Research, Josephine The exchange In November 1878 the Japanese government gave to the City of Glasgow a remarkable collection of over 1,000 contemporary art wares. These ranged from architectural pieces, furniture, wood and lacquer ware,… Continue reading
By Laura G. García Vedrenne, first year student, MPhil in Textile Conservation. Different types of soiling can be found altogether in historic textiles. When this happens, conservators find it useful to classify or characterize each type of soiling in order to match its removal with a specific cleaning process. To sum it up: the best way… Continue reading
by Bevan O’Daly – 2nd year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. As I near the end of the two-year course, it’s time put theory into practice. For one of my final projects I was given the challenge to conserve a black netted shawl from the Sande Society of Sierra Leone (A.1985.13.ip). The object belongs to Glasgow… Continue reading
By Nora Frankel, second year student, MPhil Textile Conservation. For me, getting a new object for treatment in our second semester ‘Principles and Practice’ class is always met with excitement and anticipation. When I lifted the tissue paper off what was to be my final project after reading the short description and client brief, I… Continue reading
