AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 5/25/2008 Subject: Repair Cross Stitch
Question I have a piece of cross-stitched fabric that my daughter-in-law spent hundreds of hours doing. When she pulled it out to give to me, it had mildew all over it.
Can I have it restored? How do I find someone to restore it? Like a museum piece, this article has more value to me than a priceless work of art. I live in the Atlanta, GA, area, if there is someone you can recommend.
I really don't know what questions to ask or what information to give you. The mildew spots are light gray and the fabric is spotted with it.
Thank you for being available to someone like me who doesn't have a clue where to start looking for a way to fix this problem, and thank you for the time you spend researching the answers to our questions.
Marsha
Answer Hi Marsha,
Thanks for writing! I'm sorry to hear about your cross-stitch dilema!
Being that this is not my area of expertise, I will advise you as best I can..
Firstly, I think it's a good thing that the piece is a modern work, and hasn't sat with mildew on it for years. That is a good sign, because I would imagine the mildew hasn't had time to really do much damage to the piece.
One thing I know is that it can be cleaned and neutralized, which is very important. Mold and mildew spores will linger even after you can't see them anymore, so the piece will need to be professionally restored so it won't continue to get moldy. Did your daughter-in-law pack the piece in plastic when she stored it? Do you know for how long?
I do not know anyone in your area, specifically, and I would recommend seeking out an experienced textile conservator. General art restorers work mostly on pieces on paper or canvas, and some repair objects or artifacts, but textiles are a whole different category, so you are right to not guess at this process..
If the piece were mine, I would start by calling a local museum or art school. Savannah College of Art and Design would be my first call.. and any large art museum in GA. Ask for a recommendation from their art conservation department for a local textile conservator. If they don't know someone who concentrates on fabrics, go elsewhere for advise.
If you run into a snafu, you could try calling around to other museums around the country to ask the same question. Seattle Art Museum has a local textile woman they use, but I can't remember her name.. tried to google her, to no avail.
Last resort i would try calling my friend Danny at Phoenix Art Restoration here in Seattle for a recommendation of who to call.
You can find him at http://phoenixartrestoration.com
He doesn't work on textiles as far as I know, but he's a wiz at everything else, and I'd trust him to tell me who could help with your stitchery.
I really hope this helps a little, and wish you the best of luck with this project..
Let me know how it turned out!
Sara
