Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of creativity in making textile reproductions?

It may seem odd to suggest that we, who reproduce old textiles, would consider our work an exercise in creativity. Aren't we just supposed to COPY what is there and leave our own modern viewpoint as completely out of our work as we can? Isn't our biggest challenge to resist "improving" period textile documents? The answers to these questions depend on what you want to achieve.

Are your reproduction textiles exact copies of antiques?

When we are called upon to "copy" a specific artifact, it is frequently in poor condition. Our clients, who ask us to reproduce it, usually want what we make for them to look better and be more durable than the fragile item it represents. At the same time, they want it to look old. Many times they want it to be functional, i.e., be suitable for them to sit or walk upon, sleep in, or otherwise put into daily use. Satisfying these requirements requires imagination and resourcefulness, as well as experience concerning the strengths and limitations of different fibers, dye methods & stitching techniques.

How do you decide what materials are suitable for reproduction work?

One of our primary loyalties is to using materials as much like those found in the original as possible; a close second is the use of vegetable color. Using materials similar to those used during the past serves both the cause of durability and of looking old.

Finding modern materials to use in historical reproductions requires a keen eye and often a "sixth sense" concerning fiber texture. The length, fineness (or lack thereof) and degree of processing to which fibers have been subjected all affect the appearance of finished work. Detailed observations of period textiles provide a reference for the kinds of threads & ground fabrics that were used for specific projects.

Do you always use hand-spun thread in your reproductions of early textiles?

The surprising answer is that we almost never do. During the 18th century, a period in which we specialize, most spinning was done by hand. Even so, those who spun all the thread needed at that time, had so much practice that it tended to be MORE uniform than the modern machine spun equivalents we find when we go looking for materials.

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