The American Institute for Conservation

Sources for Three Kinds of Weights

Sewing Weights

Source:

Clotilde Inc.
2 Sew Smart Way - B8031
Stevens Point, WI 54481-8031
800-545-4002

Description:

"Wonder Weights" are small round lead weights covered with a white plastic coating. The bottoms of the weights are covered with green felt.

Cost:

6 per package @ $8.24 each

Description:

"Shape Weights" are plastic weights with a lead(?) interior that come in 3 shapes: straight, angled and curved

Cost:

4 per package (2 straight, 1 angled, 1 curved) @ $11.20 each

Use:

multi-purpose

Diver's "Pillow" Weights

Source:

any diving store

Description:

"Pillow weights" are soft rectangular weights, approximately 2" x 4", made from lead shot and covered with Cordura nylon. Weight: 2 lbs.

Cost:

$5.00/each (depending on supplier)

Use:

multi-purpose

Curtain Weights

Source:

John Lewis
Oxford Street
London W1A 1EX
(or any other British department store that carries a wide range of upholstry and other sewing notions)

Description:

Continuous length of 150 g. lead "tape", made up of small pellets of lead enclosed in a narrow tube of heavy white nylon or polyester fabric.

Cost:

£1.65 per meter

Use:

used to hold open the leaves of a bound manuscript for the purpose of examination or treatment, as seen in Fig. 1. (Note: American curtain weights cannot be substituted for the British ones as they are not heavy enough to do the job)