Membership
Treat yourself or a loved one with the gift of Membership: enjoy free access to all exhibitions, access to our Members’ Room, priority booking to evening talks, and much more.
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Textiles: Ancient to Modern
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Become familiar with textiles in all their glory by examining techniques and designs from around the world and exploring how they have been used in Europe to produce an infinite variety of fabrics and patterns. See the different ways in which textiles can be studied and learn about the many skills required to create the sumptuous textiles in the V&A, from enormous tapestries to gossamer-like webs of lace, from glittering embroidery to muted tweeds.
Year Course Director
Jennifer Wearden
Jennifer Wearden was Senior Curator of Textiles in the V&A's Department of Furniture, Textiles & Fashion until 2005 and is now an Honorary Research Fellow. With experience of the textile industry in Lancanshire, and 28 years working with the textiles collections in the V&A, she now uses her knowledge to devise and deliver successful courses.
I am enjoying every minute of the course - it gets more inspiring every week. A course that combines Textiles and History is the dream ticket for me. If someone is considering enrolling next time then they are in for a treat! Rosemary Tisdall, 2015/16 Year Course Student
Delve deeper into the subjects you love
Enjoy thought-provoking lectures and access to the V&A collections in a group who share your passion. Year course students are eligible for NUS student cards. Refreshments are served on arrival each day.
Course overview
Autumn Term
12 weeks, 22 September – 8 December 2016
The World up to 1600
The first term begins with an introduction to fibres, structures and dyes and, with this foundation in place, it explores what is known about archaeological textiles from Central Asia and around the Eastern Mediterranean.
Spring Term
10 weeks, 21 January – 30 March 2017
The Age of Exploitation: 1500–1800
This term covers three centuries during which European knowledge of the world expanded and empires rose and prospered. The major themes of this term are exploration and exploitation, with growing awareness of new natural resources, new techniques and new designs.
Summer Term
12 weeks, 27 April – 13 July 2017
The Age of Mastery: 1750–the present
The final term goes back to the middle of the 18th century, begins with the Industrial Revolution and the massproduction of textiles and then considers how several influential designers reacted against it, leading to the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau.
Enrol now
Year course: Textiles: Ancient to Modern
22 September 2016 - 13 July 2017
£73.00 - £1,950.00
Call to book +44 (0)20 7942 2000
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
