The fifteen papers in this volume focus on treatments of western European tapestries and ecclesiastical embroideries, mostly from the Renaissance period, although one work, a liturgical sandal, dates back to the twelfth century, while the pilaster panels from Broni originated as recently as the 1740s.

Some of the papers present general concerns, such as the development of a comprehensive conservation program for textiles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the importance of compiling a thorough technical report. Most offer recent treatments of important textiles as case studies in the state of the art of textiles conservation.