This practical workshop is designed for community archive and heritage groups and volunteers who want to learn the basics of conservation and care for textile collections. It will provide a clear introduction to best practice approaches for handling, storing, and caring for historic and contemporary textiles in a community archive or heritage setting.
The session will be delivered by Sophie Younger, an ACR-accredited conservator with the Institute of Conservation (ICON), who brings extensive professional experience in textile conservation and preventive care. Sophie will guide participants through core principles of textile care, highlighting common risks, simple preventive measures, and realistic approaches suitable for small organisations and volunteer-led collections.
The workshop will be informal, practical, and discussion-based, with opportunities to ask questions and share experiences. No prior conservation knowledge is required.
Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day, along with a light lunch.
What You Will Gain:
· Understanding of conservation issues likely to affect your textile collections.
· Knowledge of the agents of deterioration and how to mitigate risks.
· Practical skills in preventive conservation (handling, packing & storage) and some basic remedial actions (a vacuum suction cleaning demonstration).
· Insight into when to involve a professional conservator and where to find one.
· A certificate confirming your participation in the programme.
Please answer all of the questions and we will be in touch to let you know if we can book you onto the workshop.