Question Ironing Silk

[Matoaka]

Just took in an antique silk kimono - for a baby - that has been packed in tissue for many years. The silk is very, very light weight, with emroidered cranes (done with heavier silk thread) on the front and back. It's in excellent condition, but has some sharp creases from being packed away for so long.

Any suggestions for ironing this piece?

Thanks.

 

[SusanG]

Dry Cleaner?

If you have a relationship with a reliable drycleaner, you might have them do it. If at all possible I try not to iron customer's pieces. Sometimes I will send the customer home to iron because I don't want the responsibility. Sometimes ironing will bring out soil that didn't show up before.

Susan MCPF

 

[blackiris]

The silk pieces I done i have put between towels when ironing so it is not directly touching the piece. That should work but it takes a while.

 

[JRB]

Silk has a "memory", it is unlikely you will be able to remove the creases. You may be able to make them almost disappear, later on, they will be back in full force. Do not take any risks trying to remove creases in old silk.

A hand steamer is handy for this type of thing. We have one we bought from a retailers supply house we get a lot of use from. Only load it with distilled water, the thing will last your lifetime and no risk of damaging customers property.

Never put a hot iron directly on silk, it is just not worth the risk.

John
2

 

[Jim Miller]

Susan and John both offer good advice.

Aside from concerns about possible damage from ironing, I would try to help the customer understand that the creases represent the life and times of that silk artwork and should be left intact.

My mounting technique would be a padded overlay mount using Stabiltex or Crepeline. That would be easy to do, free of risk, non-invasive, reversible, long term stable, and it would tend to gently flatten the creases a little bit.

Memo to self: Talk to Talas about sponsorship.

 

[Matoaka]

As always... excellent advise from excellent framers.

My hat is off to you all. Thank you.

 

[Todd-Art4you]

seamstress

I take stuff like that to a seamstress. She as a ironing board that has a vacuum press on it. When she puts it on the board it gets sucked down flat. Then she runs the iron over it ( floating - Never touches the piece). Comes out perfect everytime. Takes about 3 minutes depending on the size.