Saving a Swan Skin
Dear Aunt Daisy, I am wondering if there is anyone in the Daisy Chain who could tell me how to cure and soften a swan skin with the down on. We had the swan given us, and I have saved all the soft feathers. But the children want the down part kept. It is really lovely and soft, and would make lovely puffs for small babies. I hope someone will beable to help me before it spoils. I have washed it in detergent and the down has come up beautifully. "Just Another Link," Christchurch.
Here are some suggestions from the Daisy Chain: From M.H., Middlemarch -"A few years ago we were fattening some young roosters to eat. When éventually killed, I did admire the feathers on the head, as they were purebred birds, and thought I would like to cure them for hat trimmings. So I
skinned the head feathers off, rubbed | in saltpetre, and lay to dry slowly. Occasionally I rubbed the layer off, and if there was any dry skin lifting, I pulled it off and then repeated that operation several times. This worked perfectly and I still have the feathers. I can’t see any reason why it should not work on the swan skin." H.A., Christchurch: "When we were children we cured some skins of birds with their feathers on, so I think the swan skin could be done the same way. We tried tanning, but the feathers dropped out; so we just rubbed the pelt side with either alum ot baking soda. Of course, we always did it when the skin was fresh, before it dried. I have found a recipe that I think is very similar to what we did. Stretch out the skin on a board flat. Rub with kerosene till wet all over, then spread over with baking soda and rub well in. Leave for a week, rubbing two or three times during the week." The Limp Mat Dear Aunt Daisy, The "Limp Mat" problem (F.B., in February 23 to March 1 Listene-) can easily be solved by redressing the back thus: Lay mat underside uppermost, tack at each corner and paint with prepared size (glue) of medium consistency. Use sparingly, because, as you will notice by turning to the back of new mats, only a little is needed to keep the mat stiff. "Anne," Taranaki. \
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19530821.2.41.2.1
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 736, 21 August 1953, Page 22
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397Saving a Swan Skin New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 736, 21 August 1953, Page 22
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