Costume

19th Century bodice made by Doucet

Chertsey Museum

The silk lining and sleeves of the bodice were extremely degraded and required full support using a combined adhesive and stitched technique. A custom made torso was constructed to fit the bodice and provide maximum support during display and storage.

 

18th Century doll with full set of clothes

Hertford Museum

All the clothes were removed and conserved individually. The sack back dresss was particularly degraded and required a full support of dyed silk, to which the original was secured using laid couching. A pattern of the dress was taken to aid in cutting the support pieces.

 

1918 wedding dress

Images courtesy of  The Olive Matthews Collection, Chertsey Museum

The dress was conserved and prepared in the workroom for exhbition.