The aims agreed by the original founder members were:
- To meet together regularly for discussions about research in progress
- To arrange seminars on specific topics
- To arrange meetings with researchers in related fields
- To visit collections (or archaeological sites) with relevant items
- To ensure safe retrieval of textiles from archaeological sites
- To extend knowledge and expertise concerning conservation of excavated textiles
- To act as a channelling agent (when requested) for enquiries concerning new finds
A terminal date of about 1600 AD was felt appropriate and early textiles of any kind from any part of the world would be included.