conserving silk death announcement

[elm]

I have a death announcement on a strip of pink silk. It is bookmark size and is over 90 years old. Unfortunately it is dropping to pieces as it is so very fine. I can only think that to conserve it, mounting  it would be the best option,  but on what?.... and how? Does anyone have any ideas please?

elm    

[teaurn]

When I do embriodery or x stitch I have them mounted on a special acetate board at the picture framers

If you have one locally they would probably have a suitable mount you could use.  I know  there is modern type that is sort of sticky to save on the sewing to the mount but not sure if that would damage the silk

[elm]

Thank you very much "teaurn". That is certainly something I can look into. I guess I must also keep it away from the light to preserve its colour.

[Ruskie]

Elm, send a PM to PrueM - she'll be able to advise you. 


Ooops, just reaslised you're new (welcome to rootschat) and may not know how to send PM's. I'll tell Prue you need her advice.

[elm]

Thank you Ruskie. Yes, I do need to look up how to do the PMs. I haven't tackled that yet. I am very grateful for your reply.

[Ruskie]

Elm to send a PM to someone you can simply click on their name or the scroll under their name and away you go. 

To find a member is much more complicated. 

Go to the top of the page where it says welcome back elm, you have x number of messages. Click on messages.

You'll then see the tabs: [delete] [outbox] [new message] [reload]
Click on [new message].

You'll then see the TO box which is empty and to the right of that is a little Find Members in blue.
Click on that.

If you know the name of the member you wish to contact you can enter their name into the box and press search (wildcards allowed).

Then you can click on the box beside their name to send them a PM.

Good luck with that. 

[PrueM]

Hi Elm 

Ruskie kindly let me know that you're looking for some help 

I'm not a textiles conservator but I do know a bit about silk.  It becomes very acidic over time, which is why it falls to pieces or crumbles.  It's called "shattering".

If it is an important family piece (and it sounds like it is) then you should have it conserved and properly mounted or housed by a professionally qualified textiles conservator.   There are some links here which will help you to find one if you are in AUstralia, the UK or the USA. 
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,66915.0.html

If you're not in any of those areas you could contact a museum near you to ask about textiles conservators.

Don't just take the piece to a framer, as they will more than likely not know what to do with it and may mount it with adhesive or do something else to ensure that the silk will deteriorate even faster.

Let me know if you would like further advice 
Cheers
Prue

[Ruskie]

(thanks Prue - I knew you'd be able to help  )

[elm]

Ruskie, thank you for your help to a newcomer.