Textile Conservation - Semester One

My First Semester at University: Learning, Balance, and Gratitude

As my first semester at university comes to an end, I wanted to share an update on how things have been going; academically, personally, and in terms of the fundraising that helped make this possible.

Going back to university, especially as a mature student, has been a big step for me, and this semester has been about learning how to balance studying, city and rural life, and running a business, while making the most of the opportunities in front of me.

Fundraising Update & Raffle Results

Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported my fundraiser towards my first year of tuition fees. Your generosity and encouragement genuinely made a difference and helped me begin this journey.

As part of the fundraising, I ran a raffle, which has now been drawn, and all winners have been contacted directly. Thank you so much to everyone who took part, your support was hugely appreciated.

The fundraiser has made strong progress overall, and I wanted to make sure contributors are kept fully up to date. If you’d like to see the progress so far, you can do so here: Ko-Fi Fundraising

I’m incredibly grateful for every contribution, message, and share, photos from the raffle winners workshops will hopefully be coming soon!

What I’ve Been Up To This Semester

One of the most rewarding parts of this first semester has been the mix of research-led and hands-on the course has been. The work has encouraged close observation, critical thinking, and a much deeper understanding of textiles as objects with history, function, and meaning.

Some highlights from this semester include:

Flags and symbolism

Through a project focused on military flags, we explored how textiles communicate identity, power, and meaning. This work pushed me to think about how materials, design significance, and context shape how textiles are understood and interpreted. Visits to museums like The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh were helpful to see how these peices can be treated and displayed in context.

All images below are objects which belong to The University of Glasgow.

The dye course

Studying dye processes, both historical, technical, and practical, gave me a deeper understanding of colour, fibre behaviour, and production techniques. It also encouraged reflection on sustainability, authenticity, and material decision-making within textile practice. All of the dyes used so far have been synthetic based which has been an interesting change to the natural dyes I use in my studio practice. They are more easily controlled and more predictable so useful in a conservation context but I'm hoping to research more into the balance between synthetic and natural dyeing in this area in the future.

Textile Techniques Research Project: Varafeldur

For one project, I had to select a textile technique to research in depth and present through both a visual poster and a physical sample. I chose varafeldur, a traditional Icelandic pile textile technique historically used for warmth and protection.

This project involved researching the cultural and historical context of varafeldur, understanding its construction, and translating that research into a practical sample. Producing the sample required careful consideration of structure, materials, and process, and gave me a real appreciation for the skill and labour involved in traditional techniques. It was nice to be able to work a little bit of weaving into my coursework too!

Humidification and crease removal

As part of my conservation training, I've been learning about humidification techniques used to safely relax fibres and remove creases from textiles. This work emphasised the importance of controlled environments, careful observation, and knowing when not to intervene, a key principle in conservation practice.

All images below are objects which belong to The University of Glasgow.

Identifying, dating, and treating unknown textiles

I’ve learned how to approach textiles with unknown origins, examining fibres, construction methods, wear, and condition in order to identify, date, and understand how they should be handled or treated. These skills are invaluable both academically and professionally.

All images below are objects which belong to The University of Glasgow.

Conservation stitching skills

I’ve been developing conservation stitching skills, learning how to stabilise and support textiles using appropriate stitches and materials which respect the original object. This has highlighted the balance between intervention and preservation, and the importance of reversibility and sensitivity in textile conservation.

Together, these projects have strengthened my research skills, material knowledge, and confidence in working thoughtfully with textiles.

Living and Studying in Glasgow

Living in Glasgow has been a big part of the experience. It’s a vibrant city with a strong creative and cultural energy, and adjusting to life here has taught me independence, adaptability, and resilience.

One of the best parts has been the friendships I’ve formed through the course. There are only four of us, so we’ve become a really close-knit group. We’ve been able to share ideas, support each other with projects, and make the university experience feel collaborative and fun.

Beyond the course, Glasgow has given me the chance to explore new experiences. I’ve been able to see bands perform live, visit parts of Scotland I’ve never seen before, and soak up the culture, history, and energy of the city. Balancing deadlines, practical work, and city life hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding so far.

Balancing University and Running The Business

One thing I want to reassure everyone about is that starting university hasn’t meant stepping away from the business, if anything, the past six months have been busier than usual!

Managing the business alongside my studies has been a priority from the beginning. It’s required careful planning and time management, but it’s absolutely achievable. In many ways, the two support each other. The things I’m learning academically directly informs my professional practice, while running a business keeps me focused, organised, and grounded. Weekly commutes between Glasgow and Aberdeenshire have taken a little while to get used to, but I've found that the slightly more limited time I have in the studio has become more focussed and productive as a result. The beautiful sunsets and sunrises I see each week have made it more bearable!

This semester has reinforced that it’s not about choosing between education and entrepreneurship, but about allowing each to strengthen the other.

Looking Ahead

As I move into the next semester, I feel motivated, grateful, and more confident in the direction I’m heading. Thank you again to everyone who supported me, whether through the fundraiser, the raffle or words of encouragement. I’m excited to continue learning, developing my practice, and sharing updates as the course continues. The upcoming summer work placement will certainly be a high point!