Melanie Leach ACR

10 Jun 2025

Melanie Leach ACR, Cons cert, BA(Hons) History of Art - I am an accredited textile conservator, with over 30 years experience. As an independent textile conservator, I have been running a private studio for over 21 years. During this time I have worked on a diverse range of objects, including tapestry, furnishing textiles, embroideries and costume. My specialism is for the conservation of tapestries and interior textiles. Clients: National Trust, Doddington Hall Charitable Trust, Britten-Pears Foundation, David Parr Trust, English Heritage, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service, Caius College, Cambridge, Ickworth Church Trust, Charitable Trusts, private galleries and collectors.

The National Trust has been a main client. Projects have ranged from the humble, e.g. domestic cushion covers, Mr Straw’s House, to more complex e.g. the Red Drawing Room pelmets, Felbrigg Hall, to the grand, e.g. the Francois Spiering tapestries at Knole. I admire and appreciate the variety and range of textiles within the Trust’s collection –seeing objects in the context of their setting, getting involved in the story and finding a way of resolving any issues. From 2019-2020, I was employed as the Trust's National Specialist, Textile Conservation Adviser.

I’m passionate about the textiles in my care and always strive to do the best for the object and for the client. As with any conservator, my knowledge and understanding of conservation is constantly developing due to my ongoing experience with a wide range of projects. Working in a private studio, it is even more important to maintain a pragmatic, flexible approach to the jobs that are presented and to be imaginative in finding solutions to problems.

“Queen Victoria”needlework picture

A mid-19th Century ‘Berlin wool work’needlework picture of Queen Victoria seated on a throne was brought in to the studio by a private client. It was unframed and had been on open display, hanging over the fireplace, for many years. The question was could it be cleaned and the condition improved ?

The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Britten-Pears Foundation

In 2012, I was asked to conserve diverse textiles at Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears' Suffolk home for its 2013 reopening. Objects ranged from 1960s curtains and Indian embroideries to John Piper-designed fabrics and Britten's conducting costumes. I collaborated with the Curator on presentation and exhibition planners for costume supports.

Adviser- Doddington Tapestry Conservation Project

Adviser to the in house Conservation Team for the HLF funded conservation project, “See, Sew, Save” – the conservation of a set of early 17th Century Verdure tapestries cut and fitted to line the walls of the Yellow Bedroom at Doddington.

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