Services

KTC offer a full range of specialised textile conservation treatments including the various methods for cleaning, support, mounting, display, documentation, and scientific analysis. We utilize, dry surface, wet, and solvent cleaning options, various bleaching, enzymes, humidification, stitched and adhesive reinforcement and support methods, and create custom dyed support options.

At KTC we are happy to travel to support the installation of exhibitions including adapting mannequins and mounts for the safe display of historic dress, creating custom designed and made mannequins and supports, all other textile mounting for display and framing, and assessing light, UV and RH levels of exhibition spaces.

We are experienced at creating mounts and supports for the framing and hanging of textiles so they can be safely displayed in your home or exhibition.

The most important first step in caring for textiles is using the preventive approach. It is vital to make sure environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity (RH)) are within safe limits to prevent damage caused by heat and light, and reduce the risks of pests, mould growth, and the likelihood of physical and chemical damage.  At KTC we are happy to measure, assess, and advise on lighting levels and types, and ways to control temperature and RH, as well as safe storage materials and options.

Textiles are some of the most vulnerable materials to degradation by pests and mould. If left unchecked they can have a detrimental impact on organic materials, especially protein fibres like wool and furs. At KTC we are keen to advise on the best ways to prevent these issues and help with treatment of collections and objects if they do occur.

We design and make custom storage solutions for collections, and advise on archivally sound, pH neutral materials.

We help small museums and community organizations with assessments of their collections and advise on improving storage, environmental conditions, and collection management processes. We can also help with significance assessments, conservation needs assessments, and NLA funding and other grant applications.

We are happy to run workshops for small museums and community organizations in the safe storage, handling, and display of textile collections, fibre and fabric structure identification, and hands on workshops in creating custom mounting and storage for textiles.

At KTC we are committed to continually improving our understanding with research and professional development. We utilise analytical methods, including microscopy, colour photo spectrometry, FTIR, and XRF in treatments wherever they are helpful and necessary to gain understanding for making informed treatment decisions. We undertake research projects, test new methods and technologies and edit and review conservation literature in support of our industry.

We enjoy running hands-on children's workshops in dye processes and textile techniques, and hope to inspire a love of textiles in the next generation.