On a picture perfect Fall day in 2025, on the grounds of a preserved historical farm nestled in Narragansett RI, the South County Museum and School of Craft hosted an inspiring event Textile Traditions - Preserving the Past | Considering the Future.

Moving between the museum hall and a beautifully maintained barn, I was thrilled to present the tools and practices that we once engaged on a daily basis to preserve and maintain our precious textile belongings.

As a special treat, I began my presentation with a show and tell of the Victorian era clothing I once wore as my staple wardrobe. Allowing the audience to hold and examine the wool frock coat and cotton petticoats that have survived well over a hundred years and multiple owners, and acknowledging that they stand the chance to survive another century with proper care, we pondered how this compares to the fast fashion produced and consumed today and what the possibilities can be if we decide to invest in higher quality and make it last.