Conservation and scientific services for textiles
The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) offers a wide range of services in the field of textile conservation and research.
Treatment
CCI offers an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation treatment of historic textiles including:
- painted textiles (flags and banners);
- costumes and costume accessories (hats, shoes, etc.);
- archaeological textiles;
- ethnographic textiles; and
- oversized textiles (hangings, tapestries).
Training
Training seminars and workshops, with hands-on components, are customized to suit needs. Training may be interdisciplinary as required, and topics include:
- care of textiles;
- adhesives used in textile conservation;
- dyeing for textile conservation;
- cleaning historic textiles; and
- construction of mannequins for historic costumes.
CCI also provides many types of internships to suit people at different stages of their careers.
Advisory and on-site consulting services
CCI provides advisory and on-site consulting services, which include:
- preventive conservation;
- museum planning;
- transportation of works of art;
- storage and display materials and environment;
- surveys of collections and facilities;
- on-site infrared spectroscopic analysis; and
- emergency preparedness planning.
Analysis and testing
CCI provides analysis and testing, which includes:
- lightfastness testing using artificial light;
- fibre analysis and identification;
- pH analysis of textiles;
- identification and analysis of components of textile artifacts (adhesives, consolidants, paints, etc.);
- analysis of natural dyes;
- determination of silk degradation;
- determination of cellulose degradation; and
- colour measurements and monitoring.
Research
The research in conservation and scientific services includes the following:
- characterization of silk degradation;
- effects of wet cleaning on cotton and linen;
- effects of stain removal methods on historic textiles; and
- use of enzymes.
Specialized procedures and equipment
The specialized procedures and equipment CCI uses include the following:
- colour measurements;
- Atlas Launder-Ometer for dyeing;
- Atlas Weather-Ometer for artificial light ageing;
- environmental chambers for artificial heat and humidity ageing;
- oversized low suction table for washing large textiles;
- ultrasonic mister;
- freeze-drying for emergency situations; and
- parylene coating for consolidation of fragile textiles.
