Michelle Harper ACR

05 Jun 2025

Working as a freelance textile conservator in my well-equipped studio based in the Midlands since 2006. As well as carrying out a wide range of remedial treatments, I can provide an advisory service including textile surveys, advice about handling, packing, storage, costume mounting, preparing textiles for freezing and surface cleaning. I offer a wide range of preventive conservation training workshops for museum staff.

Over the years I have conserved a wide range of textiles for many different clients. These include private individuals (who have family textiles), national museums, independent historic houses, the National Trust and English Heritage. I am one of the National Trust’s textile advisors covering the Midlands, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and the Lake District. I also have experience of working on mixed media objects including train and horse drawn carriages, shoes, parasols, steamboat interiors and upholstery.

Reliquary casket after conservation - amazing mixed media project

The fabric components on the casket were in poor condition. Project involved full documentation, surface cleaning to remove dust and mould, re-adhering loose fabric, braid and embroidery to wooden under structure. Once conserved the object could be safely displayed.

Overall of curtain 1 after conservation

The curtains belonged to a private client, who wanted them to be conserved for re-use in their home. Project involved full documentation, surface cleaning, removal of old linings, dyeing for support fabric, extensive stitch support to stabilise weak areas, application of new linings and hanging mechanism. Curtains longevity vastly improved.

After conservation detail of stitch repair on swimming costume

Over the years I have conserved a lot of costume from different periods varying in complexity. The conservation of the swimming costume for a Leicester Museum was a fun project, involving full documentation, dyeing support fabric and stabilising weak areas to prevent further damage.

Overall, after conservation of dalmatic

An amazing project including the conservation of a cope, two dalmatics, two stoles, burse and veil. The cope and dalmatics required extensive conservation which mainly involved reattaching loose metal work embroidery and stabilising holes and tears in the ground fabric. The garments could be reused and displayed safely.

Overall of Alfred Bolton banner after conservation

Banner conservation is always particularly challenging, although rewarding. This banner belongs to Staffordshire History Centre and was needed for rotational display. It had been badly damaged in the corners where the fabric had holed and split, the combination of a stitch and adhesive support treatment stabilised all weak areas.

Biography

Michelle Harper ACR

Training:

Textile Conservation Centre, Post Graduate Diploma in Textile Conservation, 1992-1995

Employment:

National Trust Textile Conservation Studio, Textile Conservator, 1995-1996
Textile Conservation Centre (Southampton University), Textile Conservator, 1996-2005
Free lance textile conservator since 2006

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