Focus on Fabrics

An important association copy documenting the work of three women, Dr. Dorothy Siegert Lyle, Eileen Heagney, and June Wilbur. Signed by the author on the title page "To my dear friend June: I hope Focus on Fabrics serves you well! It should be a constant reminder of Eileen and the programs we believe in so deeply. Fondly, Dot January 16, 1969".

Dr. Lyle documented the rapid developments from the 1950s-1970s in the manufacture and care of all kinds of textiles, to enable consumers to maintain the rapidly developing fashions. In 1963 Lyle, a leader in US textile research and education, visited the University of Maryland where Heagney was developing mannequins to teach pattern design along with Wilbur. Together they designed the "Miss Dot" mannequin in two sizes, featuring Lyle's own hairstyle, and they were sold to dry cleaners as props and to educators to use with students. Lyle was influential in consumer and business education for decades; her 1976 book Modern Textiles is a standard reference. This practical encyclopedia of fabric samples lists all fabrics then available with their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages alongside a sample of the fabric. The second section of the book discusses the behaviour of each textile in the dry-cleaning process. Whilst this might not sound like the most dynamic object, the depth of detail, the technical skill, and the sheer exuberant density of it, elevate far above the expectations of the National Institute of Drycleaning. And the dedication from Lyle to Wilbur demonstrates a rarely seen working relationship between two women who are clearly passionate about their field.