MTS Learning Lab
​

Stay tuned for our Fall 2022 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. 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. 
The cost to attend MTS Learning Labs is $250 each, or $900 for four. Classes are on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm.
For more information contact:
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​​Camille Myers Breeze, Director & Chief Conservator
[email protected]
978-474-9200​


Morgan Carbone, Associate Conservator
[email protected]
978-474-9200
​

​Photographing Museum Textiles
​Postponed

Learning to look at museum objects is the first step in knowing how to photograph them. Handling and documenting both overall and detail characteristics of textiles can be difficult given their flexibility, surface qualities, large size, and condition issues. Participants will practice hands-on textile mounting and photography in daylight, overhead lighting, and directed lighting using objects from the MTS Study Collection. Basic photo editing will be taught using both free software and Photoshop®. The portfolio of class images will be available on our website. ​Instructors: Morgan Blei Carbone & Leah Ceriello

​Creating 3-D Support Mounts
​Postponed

3-D Support Mounts are commonly used for display and storage of costume accessories, such as hats, shoes, fans, and more. Learn how to use a range of archival materials to create museum-quality, custom forms. Instructors: Camille Myers Breeze and Kayla Silvia

Fiber & Fabric Identification
​​​Postponed

​Explore the origins of textile fibers. From animal and plant fibers to synthetic and non-traditional materials, we will trace the journey that raw materials take as they evolve into staple threads and then into textiles. Using both burn tests and polarizing-light microscopes, participants will learn how minute characteristics of each fiber impact a textile’s behavior and preservation. Historic applications of fibers will be presented using objects from the MTS study collection. Students will take home a fiber sample card and fabric swatches. ​Instructors: Camille Myers Breeze & Kayla Silvia

Costume Mounting Techniques
Postponed

This class will discuss how to choose and prepare a garment for exhibition, and show safe ways to retrofit common manikins. Each student will mount a garment using the Andover Figures® costume-mounting system.  ​Instructors: Camille Myers Breeze and Morgan Blei Carbone