Sophie Younger ACR

12 May 2025

Sophie Younger ACR has been committed to textiles and the Heritage sector all her professional life; her journey of learning has been varied and absorbing, from: how things are made, technologies, the science, histories and conservation.

Conserving textiles and other related objects comes naturally to Sophie who has very good manual dexterity, an appreciation of textile science and art history, an eye for 'detail' and an ability to enjoy the discipline of repetitive processes. Sophie has consulted on Heritage sector matters and published articles in professional journals.

Sophie has been in private practice since 1997, now Director of Younger Conservation Ltd (YCL), please do visit our website www.youngerconservation.com for more Case Histories and snippets of information.

YCL employs Fiona Watt BA Hons, MPhil (Textile Conservation) and is committed to supporting the next generation of conservators through work opportunities

Training

1994 - 2002 | Sophie Younger ACR studied conservation in-service at Glasgow Museums as well as participating in two Internships (Historic Royal Palaces, Hampton Court Studios and with Ksynia Marko), she is a trained embroiderer, tapestry weaver (BA Hons) with an MPhil in Art History. Sophie has been self-employed since 1997, she became an accredited member of Icon in 2006.

Work History

1994 - 2002 | Glasgow Museums, Conservation Department, Burrell Collection: remedial, preventive and collections care conservation. Part of a team monitoring environment, disseminating technical and conservation information, exhibition and loan work, maintaining records and organising stores.

2002 - 2025 | In Private Practice. Director of Younger Conservation Ltd.

Study Carpet, Historic House

The carpet (5.32 x 4.93 m) was too large, fragile, and difficult to move, so we worked in-situ for over two weeks, stitching with a curved needle on the floor. The Victorian/Edwardian machine-made, looped and cut pile carpet was secured by bast/linen and woollen threads. To improve its appearance, we in-filled holes using the ‘prick and pounce’ technique, transferring missing design onto canvas. Conservation stitching and thread securing were carefully carried out.

Project Management: Kildalton Chapel and monuments, Isle of Islay

Sophie Younger managed a project to protect early medieval grave monuments at Kildalton, working with Ardtalla Estates, HES, conservators, contractors, and volunteers. The 8th-century Kildalton Cross is one of Scotland’s few complete early Celtic ringed crosses. The project included a costed work plan, grant applications, contractor management, volunteer training, and site maintenance. A barrier and matting were installed, with future work planned on a 19th-century gravestone.

Christening Shawl

A family heirloom, this large silk net shawl, decorated with bobbin lace sprigs, was discoloured and stained after generations of use. It was wet cleaned in de-ionised water with natural soap, a sequestering agent, and buffer, brightening the fabric. Further improvement was achieved by bleaching with Sodium perborate and Boric acid to adjust pH for textile safety. Localised stains were treated at a higher pH. The shawl was then rinsed and dried flat.

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