Theresia von Waldburg has a special job: As a textile restorer, the woman from Epfach works with old fabrics and textiles.
It is also used in Neuschwanstein Castle.
Epfach – Visitors to Neuschwanstein Castle have to be patient: the bedroom, dressing room, living room and grotto will be closed to visitors until the summer of 2023.
This does not apply to Theresia von Waldburg.
The textile restorer from Epfach is part of the construction manager team in Neuschwanstein.
She determines what needs to be done on each textile object and oversees the work.
"An incredibly exciting task," enthuses the 65-year-old.
In addition to his scientific work, von Waldburg also likes to pull out a needle and thread himself.
Visit to the workshop in Epfach: Behind the garage lies von Waldburg's material kingdom.
An extension dominated by a long table.
Next to it are cupboards with rows of drawers in which spools of thread and fabrics are stacked.
Two flags with sacred motifs on the table.
Restoring old fabrics: hard work that requires a lot of patience
One of them, a pelican that feeds its young with its own blood, is currently being worked on by von Waldburg.
“These are silk flags from the 1920s.
And the silk is slowly dissolving.” Threads are broken, a border shows tears, there is a hole in the hanger.
It's about conserving the flag so that it can continue to be used.
People thought differently 60 years ago: what was broken was replaced.
Like the areas between the pelican motif, which are more reminiscent of sackcloth than of fine fabric.
"Unfortunately, this 'restoration' is still done today," says the restorer.
The fastest way is with the sewing machine: "It thunders through the fabric like a machine gun."
The fine embroidery art of the Pelikan flag from Waldburg makes people rave: Craftsmanship that has been partially "lost".
For example 'needle painting', which creates landscapes, chain stitches, which make the pelican feathers appear fluffy, or fine silver embroidery, in which cardboard or string elements are sewn onto to create three-dimensional tendrils.
Sacred objects, castle furnishings and museum pieces
But not only the embroidery, the restoration of the embroidery also requires precision: "For this work you need a needle, thread, good eyesight and a lot of patience," says von Waldburg.
Probably also passion and perseverance when it comes to finally getting the right shade for the sewing thread in countless dyeing experiments with meticulously measured color pigments and essences - von Waldburg noted the respective amounts neatly in her personal coloring book.
Or to fix loose threads with millimeter stitches using curved surgical needles and a touch of silk thread.
"Futzeln" is what the Epfacherin calls it.
In addition to sacred objects or textile furnishings from old castles, von Waldburg also worked on museum objects.
She remembers two in particular: Kaspar Hauser's robe, “with the spot on the left where the stab wound was”.
And priestly robes from the Dachau concentration camp.
Vestments that the clergymen sewed themselves: “With material from the clothing store.
And then you have in your hand a chasuble for which a child's summer dress has been reworked.
That attacks you.”
Apprenticeship as parament embroiderer and long internship at the Bavarian National Museum
Difficult moments, remembers von Waldburg.
The restorer, who was born in Biberach, was seized by her passion for textiles in the USA, where she lived with a family for a year after graduating from high school.
“The mother was a paper restorer.
I always read their trade journals and got stuck on the textile articles.” This was followed by an apprenticeship as a parament embroiderer, followed by a three-year internship at the Bavarian National Museum.
"After that I was allowed to get started." Restorer is not a protected profession, and there is no standard training.
In the meantime, however, you can study restoration.
(Our Schongau newsletter keeps you regularly informed about all the important stories from your region. Register here.)
Von Waldburg has been a freelance textile restorer since 1986.
Not always easy, she says.
If the economy is ailing, the first thing to do is to save on culture – and according to its preservation.
There were also her two children who needed to be taken care of.
"I often worked at night back then."
Rare profession: "In Bavaria you can count the number of independent textile restorers on two hands"
The 65-year-old is one of the few who practice this profession.
"In Bavaria you can count the number of independent textile restorers on two hands." Textile restorers are a good combination of scientific and manual work, are now well paid - and are increasingly in demand.
Because there is also a lack of youngsters.
There is probably a lack of appreciation for textiles in general, says von Waldburg: "We don't have to pay anything for it anymore and so lose any connection to it." She herself wants to finish the textile restoration in about two years "and dare something new," says she.
Exactly what is not yet clear.
But it will probably be something material again.
You can find more current news from the region around Schongau at Merkur.de/Schongau.
