Needlepoint, early 20th century
Media: Silk embroidery threads worked on openwork cotton ground fabric.

Condition before treatment: The silk embroidery and cotton ground fabric are very brittle and weak. The textile is mounted on a wooden strainer with tacks, and a wooden frame is attached to the side of the textile/strainer with nails. The strainer and frame are broken on the right side, causing edge tears in the textile. There are a few small losses of silk at the very edge of the right side.

Treatment summary: Frame removed, and textile released from strainer by removing tacks. The silk is too weak to allow stitching.  Tears were therefore mended on the back with reversible mending tissue made from acrylic adhesive and Japanese paper. Archival quality backing board made from Coroplast faced with rag matboard, padded with needlepunched polyester padding and covered with washed unbleached muslin. Mended textile placed on the new mount and edges stitched in place using cotton thread.