Hello all:  here at the Philadelphia Museum of Art we recently used buckram
to make about 65 extensions for dress forms to accomodate long clinging
skirts.  We found two layers of buckram were suitable (but we had a rigid
form to attach them to at the top) the first layer was strips for strength
and the second a sheet to give it a smooth surface.

For cutting we found that Fiskar Craft Clippers worked great.  I'm not sure
that "clipper" is the correct title, but they have a shorter blade then the
scissors, almost like hedge trimmers.

Sara Reiter
Textile Conservation
PMA

-----Original Message-----
From: Beth Szuhay [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 2:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: invisible mannequin


Hi Ann,
Joanne Hackett and I just finished making ten male torsos for an upcoming
waistcoat exhibition.  We found it best to make the form longer than the
waist coat and trim to size.  We found we needed three layers of buckram for
strength and rigidity and we applied first a sheet of buckram over the form,
followed by a layer of small strips and followed by another layer of a sheet
of buckram.  Once the buckram dries, the edges can be sharp, so we liked
using the sheet of buckram as the final layer.
We just used Gingher paper scissors and brute strength to cut the buckram.
I don't remember how much buckram we used...we just bought a big roll (it's
cheap).
One thing to consider...depending on the textile, you may see through the
mannequin. In other words, the "show" fabric has to be on the inside of the
mannequin. We used a stretchy fabric that we could slip inside the form and
then stretch to fit over the neck and arm openings.
Beth Szuhay
Textile Conservation
FAMSF


> ----------
> From:         Textile Conservators on behalf of Frisina, Ann
> Reply To:     Textile Conservators
> Sent:         Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:13 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      invisible mannequin
>
> I am looking for some practical hands on information about building
invisible mannequins as described by Chris Paulocik  in the new publication
"Museum Mannequins: A guide for a perfect fit." by ARG.
>
> First Chris describes a herringbone technique of applying strips of
buckram starting from the neck down.  Yet in the illustration it appears
that a sheet of buckram is being applied to the lower hip area.  Are sheets
applied as a consolidating layer once the from is covered via the herring
bone technique to provide extra strength?
>
> Second  Does anyone have any streamlined ideas on how to efficiently cut
up enough buckram?  Let's face it this stuff is tough.
>
> Finally how many yards is needed to complete one 20th century form?
>
> Thank you for all your help.
>
>
> Ann Frisina
> Textile Conservator
> Minnesota Historical Society
> 345 Kellogg Blvd. W.
> St. Paul, MN. 55104
>
> 651 297-5490
>
>