Artifact Conservation

Tam 7044: Artifact Conservation has provided me with the invaluable opportunity to work intimately with historical garments, deepening my understanding of couture at a profound level. Collaborating closely with Dr. Michael Mamp and the LSU Textile and Costume Museum has significantly enhanced my research, as well as sharpened my design and construction skills.

When handling artifacts in the collection, it is best to wear the white gloves provided to prevent any damage. However, in this case, my hands were thoroughly cleaned to ensure they were free of oils and lotions, allowing me to handle the items properly while stitching. I also removed all rings, bracelets, and any other accessories that could potentially snag the fabric before beginning work on the artifacts. One of the key challenges in repairing these pieces is doing so without the use of straight pins and minimizing unnecessary stitching, as many of the garments are quite old and fragile. The delicate threads of older artifacts can break easily, and silks in particular may flake or disintegrate with even the slightest contact

The two projects listed below are still in progress, and full details, including condition reports, will be provided soon.

Click images below to view.