Expert: Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson - 10/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Rob,

My husband and I are restoring a Whitney pram, made in Leominster, Mass, which I received as a gift from my friends when I was pregnant in 1979.  We are restoring it for our granddaughter to be, who will be born in March, 2009.  When I received the pram it was lined with corduroy, which I'm sure was not the original.  Please tell me what kind of fabrics were originally used to line these carriages?  Thanks, Jane

ANSWER: Thanks for your question,

 Your pram may indeed have been lined with corduroy. I the catalogs I have, many materials were used such as silk, tapestry and others.
Unless you feel that the material in it now has been replaced, I would say it's correct.Keep in mind that they didn't have the range of fabrics that we do today.
 As a restorer, I would use whatever material I liked to redo the pram as long as I didn't do anything that couldn't be reversed in the future.
 Congrats on the granddaughter, Judi and I have 7 grandchildren and each is a bright spot in our lives.
 Rob & Judi
http://www.andersonsrestorations.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The lining definitely has to be replaced.  It is dirty and worn.  So..........  if you were replacing it, what would you use?  Jane

Answer
I would use whatever material you want based on color and pattern, etc, nothing to delicate, good heavy stuff and I would Scotch-Guard it also.I would tend to go with something close in weight to the original.
 Good Luck,
 Rob
http://www.andersonsrestorations.com