After earning her degree in textiles, specialising in hand embellishment, Martha worked at Worthing Museum, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was during her roles in collection care and display at these institutions that she discovered her true passion: blending her professional experience, exceptional sewing abilities, and dress history knowledge into a rewarding career as a textile conservator.
With the support of QEST, Martha is currently studying for an MPhil in Textile Conservation at the University of Glasgow. The course, renowned for its intensive teaching, is internationally acclaimed and produces many of Britain’s leading textile conservators. Throughout the course, Martha has learnt about key treatment techniques and has treated textile objects for museum clients. She has also developed a strong understanding of the ethics, material culture, and construction surrounding textile objects, all of which inform her decision-making regarding treatment. Following the course, Martha hopes to re-enter the museum sector she loves. As an established practitioner, she aims to contribute to the conservation community through research, volunteering, and ultimately work towards accreditation.
Images are the copyright of the University of Glasgow, Paisley Museum, OneRen, and Dumfries Museum, 2025.
