How do you clean old tapestries safely?

Do not attempt to wash them at home. The structure of the wet fibres becomes very fragile and the weight of the water can tear the warp threads. Surface dust can be removed by placing a nylon screen over the fabric and using a vacuum cleaner on a low suction setting. Professional textile conservators use specialist flat-washing techniques with deionised water.

I found a large folded patchwork quilt in my grandmother's attic and it has some strange brown stains, is there a way to get rid of them without ruining the stitching?

Those brown marks are usually oxidised cellulose stains, often caused by the fabric resting against acidic wood in a trunk. They become part of the material over time and are very difficult to remove. Bleach or modern stain removers will degrade the cotton fibres and rot the original sewing threads. It is safer to accept the marks as a sign of age rather than risk weakening the overall structure of the quilt.

Can you frame silk embroideries?

Framing provides excellent protection for fragile silk pieces. Ensure the fabric is mounted on acid-free board rather than glued or pinned directly to a harsh backing. Always use ultraviolet-filtering glass. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources like radiators, which dry out the silk and cause it to shatter.

We have this big window in the hallway that gets morning sun and I want to hang an early Victorian woolwork panel there, will the light damage it over just a few years?

Morning sun carries high levels of ultraviolet light that will quickly fade the original vegetable dyes. Once those colours are lost, they cannot be restored. The wool fibres themselves also turn brittle under prolonged exposure to sunlight. You should hang older woolwork in a corridor or on a wall that only receives indirect, ambient light to preserve the dye structure. If you must use that spot, install a UV-blocking film on the hallway window. It slows the degradation process but will not stop the fading.

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Antique Textiles

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Ranging from domestic samplers to heavy woven tapestries, antique textiles are woven, embroidered, or printed fabrics originally made to decorate interiors, provide warmth, or serve as clothing.