CFT employs conservation science, specific hand skills, and personalized treatment for each textile project, and guided by our professional code of ethics. We work closely with owners regarding course and purpose of treatment and repair, ongoing care and use, display, storage and loan. Each project, whether for an individual or institution, includes a consultation, treatment proposal with cost quote, a narrative and photographic documentation outlining the completed treatment.
We build relationships nurtured on mutual dialogue, sensitivity to the textile, it’s history and owners’ preferences. Our range of services is supplanted by robust alliances with allied professionals – other conservators, curators, scientists, historians, artists, craftspeople, guilds, framers, designers, installers, movers and packers.
Please note that if your desired service or treatment is not listed here, drop us a note to find out more about how we might be able to help.
List of Services
Estimates
Free written estimates and proposals for treatment and display are provided, at studio appointments.
Treatment
Each custom treatment is hands-on. This can include analysis, testing of dyes or threads, surface cleaning, wet or solvent cleaning, stain removal or reduction, hand stitching stabilization and repairs, re weaving, full linings, adhesive repairs. All treatments are reversible, abiding by the conservation code of ethics.
Conservation Proposals, Reports and Estimates
Outlines of proposed treatment based on visual analysis, with associated cost estimates. Comprehensive narrative and photographic documentation chronicling actual treatment. Including historical research, comparisons, references where applicable.
Custom Mounting and Display
Design and production of customized rigid mounts and stitch mounting, Velcro and sleeve mounting for free hanging display, mannequin and 3-D display for textiles and costumes, custom building of mannequins and dressing, fabrication of custom undergarments. Coordinate with framers and mount makers.
Condition Assessment and Survey
For collections or individual pieces, in person on site examination, written guidelines and summaries for care, prioritized treatment, preventive measures, display, long term preservation, storage. This can include collection surveys of multiple textiles, to provide summaries of condition, treatment and other preservation needs, budget data, handling, storage, display, de accession recommendations.
Collection Care and Risk Assessment
Planning for preparation or follow up to fire, environmental, mechanical and flood disasters, with site work, coordinated planning and implementation.
Environmental and Storage Consultations
Provide outlines, resources and recommendations for HVAC, display cases, monitoring, best storage solutions, hands on implementation, staff training and sustainable site-specific solutions. From home based to large institutional collections.
Pest Management
Advice on pest eradication, monitoring, preventive measures, freezer in conservation studio for smaller textile pest eradication.
Project Management
USA based and international. Large exhibitions, storage, treatment, acquisition projects, international, extensive and multi discipline, timelines, work schedules, budgets.
Education and Outreach
Historic research on specific textiles. Outreach to historians and curators and craftspeople.
Workshops and Lectures
USA based and international. For fellow textile collectors, conservators, lay, public, museum audiences, guilds. General care guidelines, case studies, storage and display guidelines, pest management, and hands-on how to repair and care for textiles.
