Sustaining tacit and embedded knowledge in textile conservation and textile and dress collections.

Th is article explores the current paradoxical position of textile and dress collections and textile conservation in museums from an English perspective. Textile and dress exhibitions have become increasingly high profile, and conservators are being energized by an expanded vision for communicating the activity of heritage conservation, engaging with the public in different and exciting ways and making this oft en hidden process accessible. Nevertheless, despite many exciting initiatives, the underlying trend in the United Kingdom indicates a creeping loss of specialist textile curatorial and conservation posts. Th e article explores the implications of these losses on tacit and embedded knowledge and expertise and the growing threat to the longterm sustainability of textile and dress collections, particularly in the regions. It studies the reasons for these problems and considers in more detail a key issue, that of the loss of teaching needlework skills. Th e article argues that these issues need to be considered when planning strategies to ensure the sustainable future of textile and dress collections and related curatorial and conservation skills. It includes a case study exploring approaches to embedding sustainable expertise implemented during a Monument Fellowship at York Castle Museum, England