Saving Your Treasures: Textiles, Clothing, and Uniforms
Saving Your Treasures
Types of Objects
TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND UNIFORMS
Textiles are used to make things in our everyday lives, including clothing, bedding, banners, flags, shelters, etc. Archeological and historical textiles are made from natural fibers, such as wool, flax (linen), cotton, silk, fur, and leather. 
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester have emerged as material for textiles during the twentieth century.
Textiles may also include elements of different materials (buttons, metal hook-and-eyes, etc.) that require different methods of preservation. Textiles are cared for primarily by textile conservators, but, depending on their nature, may also be cared for by objects conservators. Textile accessories, such as shoes, hats, gloves, and belts, are often cared for by objects conservators.
The videos below and handouts and websites on the right will guide you in the proper methods for preserving your items. If you have any questions, ask a conservator.
Animal Materials:
Skin & Leather
Animal Materials:
Hair, Hooves, Etc.
Animal Materials:
Bones, Shells, Etc.
Animal Materials:
Deterioration
Animal Materials:
Preventative Care
TYPES OF OBJECTS
Books, Bibles, Scrapbooks Dishes, Glassware, Silverware Firearms Furniture Jewelry Native American Items Natural History Specimens Newspaper Photographs Textiles, Clothing, Uniforms Tools, Mechanical Objects, Instruments Toys Works of Art
Types of Objects
TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND UNIFORMS
Textiles are used to make things in our everyday lives, including clothing, bedding, banners, flags, shelters, etc. Archeological and historical textiles are made from natural fibers, such as wool, flax (linen), cotton, silk, fur, and leather. Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester have emerged as material for textiles during the twentieth century.
Textiles may also include elements of different materials (buttons, metal hook-and-eyes, etc.) that require different methods of preservation. Textiles are cared for primarily by textile conservators, but, depending on their nature, may also be cared for by objects conservators. Textile accessories, such as shoes, hats, gloves, and belts, are often cared for by objects conservators.
The videos below and handouts and websites on the right will guide you in the proper methods for preserving your items. If you have any questions, ask a conservator.
Plant Materials:
Plant Materials:
Plant Materials:
Plant Materials: Deterioration -
Plant Materials: Deterioration -
Plant Materials:
Plant Materials:| Animal Materials: Skin & Leather | Animal Materials: Hair, Hooves, Etc. | Animal Materials: Bones, Shells, Etc. |
| Animal Materials: Deterioration | Animal Materials: Preventative Care |
TYPES OF OBJECTS
| Books, Bibles, Scrapbooks | Dishes, Glassware, Silverware | Firearms | Furniture | Jewelry |
| Native American Items | Natural History Specimens | Newspaper | Photographs | |
| Textiles, Clothing, Uniforms | Tools, Mechanical Objects, Instruments | Toys | Works of Art | |
