Jacket. Breeches. Waistcoat – were surface clean using low powered vacuum suction and brushes to lift surface soiling.

Jacket. Breeches. Waistcoat – dry sponges were used to mechanically clean ingrained soiling and reduce staining were possible. The staining’s did not lift, and very little soiling was evident on the sponges. Dry sponges were used to mechanically clean the waistcoat, thought little soiling was evident on the sponges the fibres feel softer to the touch. The water borne staining on the underarms remains in place.

Breeches – The loose threads on the braid were held in place using Skala thread and laid couching. The loose threads and frayed buttonhole at the end of the braid was encased in dyed conservation net and secured using running stitch and Skala thread. The buttonhole was secured using blanket stitch holding the loose thread secure and reenforcing the buttonhole. The silk fabric on the inside of the buttonholes, down the side of the breeches, were supported with dyed conservation net, to hold the fraying threads secure and provide support for this fragile area.

Waistcoat – The loose metal threads were secured using Skala thread and a combination of overstitching, working into the metal lace to hold the plate metal in place and laid couching, working the holding stitches through to the silk ground fabric. The loose metal threads throughout are now secure.

Jacket – Conservation net was dyed to colour match the lining and the metal braid. The fraying silk down the buttonhole edge was secured and protected using dyed conservation net and Skala thread.

The mannequin was padded out to support the garment. This was done using wadding that was built up in layers to sculpt the shape. Once achieve, the body was covered in cotton jersey. Addition leg and arm support were made using Melinex, wadding and polyester fabric. These were stitched into place on site whilst dressing the mannequin.