2025 Learning Lab schedule
Welcome to a brand-new way to learn museum collections-care and conservation skills. The Museum Textile Services Learning Lab offers hands-on classes within a working textile conservation laboratory. Learning Labs are a one day in person workshop hosted by Museum Textile Services staff. Our labs are suitable for anyone from textile collectors and aficionados to museum volunteers and emerging professionals.
Located in the Ballardvale section of Andover, Massachusetts, MTS is convenient to Rts. 93 and 495, and just 2 minutes from the MBTA Ballardvale station. Sorry, our historic mill building is not wheelchair accessible.
Each Learning Lab will take place from 10-4 with a break for lunch, lunch will not be provided. The cost of our Learning Labs are $125 per person per Learning Lab. There is a maximum capacity of 12 participants per Learning Lab.
For more information, please contact:
Conservation Stitching
February 17th, 2025
This Learning Lab will be hosted by our Director and Chief Conservator, Camille Myers Breeze, along with our Textile Conservator, Rebecca Helgeson. Students will be taught the basics of conservation stitching. Some conservation stitching techniques include: herringbone, whip stitch, and back stitch. Our conservators will dive deep into each type of stitching and why they are important for textile conservation. Supplies will be provided to the students by MTS.
To sign up please fill out this form: Conservation Stitching Sign Up Form
Hanging Large Textiles
June 11th, 2025
Stay tuned for sign up!
Surface Cleaning
October 10th, 2025
Stay tuned for sign up!
We want to hear from you!
What introduction to textile conservation skills would you like to learn? Send us your ideas:
Coming Winter 2025/2026
Previous Learning Labs: Condition Reporting Textiles, Fiber & Fabric Identification, Photographing Textiles, Vac & Pack Textiles, 3D Mounting, Costume Mounting