commemorative pillow

boyd heritage museum (Canada)

This commemorative pillow, likely from the 1910s-1920s as the embroidered imagery is similar to that found on World War I era embroidered postcards, came into the lab with flattened and distorted ribbon decoration (including one lost bow), significant wear to the lower left corner revealing the interior stuffing, light surface soiling, and some stains.

Treatment started with mechanical cleaning using a dry sponge and tweezers. The ribbon was reshaped with lightly dampened blotter paper, held in place with clips and hair pins, and allowed to dry. At the end of the treatment, small mylar tubes were inserted into each bow loop to support them and prevent re-flattening. After determining that the wear damage was too extensive for the threads to be stitched into place, a fine overlay of silk crepeline was used to secure the damaged area and prevent further harm. The overlay was only stitched along the two exterior edges; this allowed it to be secured to the cord edging rather than the fragile textile. Once the overlay was in place, the loose corner of the ribbon, where a bow is missing, was stitched into place.

Link to Condition Report