November 29th 2024.
Sophie Younger has always been drawn to the art of needlecraft. From her teenage years spent making her own clothes to her current work preserving Scotland's most historic fabrics, her passion for this craft has never wavered. Growing up near Stratford, Sophie credits her early education at a convent school for introducing her to the world of knitting, embroidery, and dress-making. She describes these classes as the first of two "apprenticeships" that sparked her love for needlecraft.
As a young girl, Sophie would take over the dining table to work on her projects, often making clothes for her older sister. She recalls the joy and satisfaction of creating something with her own hands, using patterns or drawing inspiration from the latest fashion trends in Vogue. And with a good fabric shop nearby, she always had the materials she needed to bring her ideas to life.
In this month's issue, Mary Miers highlights the incredible skills and patience of Sophie as a leading textile conservator. But before we dive into her current work, let's take a look at her background. Born in Warwickshire in 1962, Sophie attended St Mary's Convent in Ascot from 1973 to 1980. She then pursued a Diploma in embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework in London from 1980 to 1982. After completing a foundation course in general art and design with a focus on art history at North Oxfordshire College, she went on to study tapestry weaving at Edinburgh College of Art from 1983 to 1986.
Sophie's love for art history led her to pursue a post-graduate degree in the field at Glasgow University from 1986 to 1988. She then joined Glasgow Museums in 1989, where she worked at the Burrell Collection until 1997. It was in this role that she honed her skills as a textile conservator. In 1997, Sophie became self-employed, and in 2006, she was accredited with ICON (Institute of Conservation).
In 2008, Sophie made the move to Perth, where she has been based since 2020. It was here that she established her own conservation studio business in Meikleour. And in 2014, she founded Younger Conservation Ltd. Her work has been recognized and praised by many, and she continues to be a leading figure in the world of textile conservation.
To learn more about Sophie and her journey as a textile conservator, be sure to check out the full feature in our January issue. And for more fascinating stories like this, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field.
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