Our services
We specialise in the care and conservation of textile artefacts in all their many forms, roles and contexts, and are experienced in dealing with the wide variety of problems they exhibit whether damaged by time, accident, poor storage/display or use. The services we provide include both strategic advice and practical help in areas such as condition assessments and surveys, collection care audits, interventive conservation treatments including cleaning, stabilisation and mounting, and guidance on storage, study, display and general preventive care.
We also offer training and masterclasses on textile preservation and related topics as well as talks for museum, heritage and amateur interest audiences. The studio benefits from close working relationships with conservators working in related specialisms such as paper, leather and painted surfaces to enable us to conserve complex mixed media objects.
Condition assessments and surveys
We carry out the examination, assessment and recording of individual textiles and textile collections to determine and document their current preservation state, and to identify appropriate interventive and preservation conservation measures.
Interventive conservation
We undertake the full range of core conservation treatments applied to textiles including documentation and photography, cleaning to remove damaging and disfiguring dirt, stains and creases, stabilisation to strengthen and protect weak and damaged areas, and mounting for safe display and study.
Preventive conservation
We provide general advice and information on the care of textiles including guidance on lighting, temperature/humidity levels and how to deal with pests. The team also give practical support in areas such as preparing textiles for storage, freezing or transport, and the creation of supports for display.
Collection care
We provide tailored practical demonstrations and training for staff and volunteers involved in the care of textile collections in areas such as documentation, handling, packing and environmental management.
Conservation training and work experience
The studio, in collaboration with other conservation specialists, offers masterclasses to conservation trainees and professionals on specific treatment techniques and approaches.
The studio is also available to offer work experience placements to conservation students and graduates interested in developing their knowledge and understanding of working in private practice. We also offer taster sessions to individuals considering a career in textile conservation, and regularly participate in the work experience programme for Year 10 pupils from local schools.
Professional and public engagement
Our team gives illustrated talks on textile conservation and the studio’s work to amateur and professional interest groups.
We also participate in professional research groups, present papers at conferences on conservation and textile/costume history and publish research in academic journals.