Damage to silk in jewelry display case. Any fix?

Argh.... mini rant! I've been lovingly using this vintage Marvella case for years to display jewelry in my photographs. It makes everything look so nice.

Last week had a necklace I was photographing and brought necklace and case outside to get better light.

A few days earlier had snowed, but I was nowhere near the snow. Was standing next to the house in a dry spot.

Or so I thought! Drip, drip, drip.... Where is that water coming from? It was an odd snow, kind of melted and froze over the gutters and here a few drops of melting ice came down right onto my hand, and then the SILK of the case. Raced inside, blotted the fabric dry like crazy, but the water has left stains.

Any fix for something like this? Can probably still use the case if I cover said area with item I'm photographing, but a bit bummed, wondered if there is any clever remedy.

Thanks. Photos #1 shows before and #2, 3 after. Last photo (w/Napier latch) included to show a close-up of the fabric.

 

Position the jewelry on top of the stains? Once silk gets water stained, the only cure I know of is more water - get the rest wet too and make it match? I'd probably leave bad enough alone.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Oh well. Can probably just cover it with item I'm photographing. Maybe will not be too bad. Thanks!

 

That was my thought too.

Silk is an old material. Before dry cleaning, they used to wash it.

If you think you cannot use it the way it is by covering the spots with the jewelry, then in your mind it is already ruined.
If you think it is completely ruined, then I would use a piece of dampened material and wipe the entire surface. Keeping in mind that it may not turn out for the better.

 

I think I'll go the cowardly way and leave as is. I was somewhat bummed at first, these Marvella cases almost never show up. But I think I can still work with this one by covering it with whatever I'm photographing. Not the end of the world, just kind of a favored prop that had some nice history, too. May still get years of use out of it, just a bit worse for the wear.

Thanks.

 

Lucille, is there any possibility of replacing the silk on the damaged side inside the case?

If the case is like others I've seen, the silk is probably wrapped around a piece of something like cardboard, then the wrapped piece is pressed down into the frame. I've pried those things out before & replaced the fabric, but never on one as fancy as yours.

Just a thought.

 

Now there's a thought.
If you take the silk out you would be able to wash it in cold water, then iron it and replace it back in the box.

Adding -
Iron it on the wrong side.

 

It's a great suggestion. I'll take a look. Thanks.

 

I would also use an ironing cloth. These were kind of heavy material that you used between delicate fabric and an iron. Some heat would get through but not enough to damage.

 

I have replaced fabric that has been ruined with fabric from around the era, Its an easy thing to do as SBSVC has said above, As has also been said you can try washing it first, Just dibble dabble it in some warm soapy water, rinse and lay it on a towel to dry.
If that fails just recover the existing innards.

 

Yes, but silk and rayon need to be ironed to get the softness back. Ironing also stretches the material a little bit.

 

Yes it would need ironing after drying, As Bev said use an ironing cloth also known as a tea towel at my house

 

Welcome!

 

Don't drown the silk but dampen the whole thing. Leave it out
In the most evenly heated area to dry. Now if your original drip
Water was not clean, you might have to go another step. I would
Use distilled water only