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
March 31st, 2025
This Learning Lab will be hosted by our Director and Chief Conservator, Camille Myers Breeze, along with our Textile Conservator, Rebecca Helgeson. This one-day, hands-on workshop will cover all of the basic hand stitches used to stabilize museum textiles. Attendees will be able to take their stitching samplers home with them. After practicing, attendees will test their sewing skills in a number of repair and support situations, using items from the MTS study collection. Museum collections experience and hand stitching skills are preferred but not required. Supplies will be provided to the students by MTS.
To sign up please fill out this form: Conservation Stitching Sign Up Form
Mounting Flat Textiles
June 11th, 2025
This one-day, hands-on workshop will teach attendees different ways to create a mounting board from readily available, acid-free materials. Each attendee will hand stitch a textile sample to their mounting board, which they are free to keep. Mounted textiles are suitable for display with or without a frame. Conservation framing will also be reviewed. Museum collections experience and hand stitching skills are strongly recommended. Supplies will be provided to the students by MTS.
To sign up please fill out this form: Mounting Flat Textiles Sign Up Form
Hanging Large Textiles
October 10th, 2025
This one-day, hands-on workshop will introduce attendees to the theory and practice of vertical display for unframed museum textiles, such as quilts and tapestries. Using textiles from the MTS Study Collection, attendees will learn how to attach a fabric lining and utilize both Velcro and magnetic hanging systems. Team skills for installing large textiles will be presented to help take the guesswork out of this intimidating process. Museum collections experience and hand stitching skills are preferred but not required. Supplies will be provided to the students by MTS.
To sign up please fill out this form: Hanging Large Textiles Sign Up Form
We want to hear from you!
What introduction to textile conservation skills would you like to learn? Send us your ideas:
Coming 2026
Previous Learning Labs: Condition Reporting Textiles, Fiber & Fabric Identification, Photographing Textiles, Vac & Pack Textiles, 3D Mounting, Costume Mounting