I’m assembling fabrics, fabric paints and various recycled objects for my next workshop on fabric printing at Blossoming Together in Deptford, London SE8. This will be on Wednesday 6 June 2.30-4.00pm.
Above are some examples of what can be produced. The workshops is open to adults and to children over eight. All materials provided. No experience required.
Cost £14.50 inc refreshments.
To book look at the website blossomingtogether.com
Here is the progress on my group pegloom weaving which I take to my workshops for people to join in with. Visitors to our home also add their mark.
I will be taking it to another workshop next week and then I’ll be taking it off the loom so that I can start another group weaving at a series of six workshops I’ll be running.
Yesterday was the third session of our Weaving a Life programme, run by Suzanne from Weaving Me Home.
We wove dolls on the tapestry loom. Here are our three dolls. The body is woven, the head is felted and the hair is made from yarn.
Here is mine in close up, woven in sari silk.
I’m already weaving my second doll, this one is in variegated green wool. Pics coming soon!
On Sunday 20 May I will be running another From Fleece to Fabric workshop with Julian. This one will be at the lovely Stag and Bow in Forest Hill, London SE23.
Participants will learn some spinning in the morning and will be able to keep a drop spindle to take home to practice on.
After we have all spun some yarn, we will move on to pegloom weaving. Lots of yarns will be provided for weaving. Participants will be able to incorporate their spun length of yarn into the weaving. Participants at our workshop in Whitstable had great fun and found it very relaxing.
Freeform knitting
My favourite type of knitting is freeform knitting - knitting without a pattern. I cast on and blend colour and texture of yarns, to knit landscapes, scarves, wraps, anything at all! I have been very inspired by the Canadian knitter Jane Thornley.
I run workshops in freeform knitting - encouraging participants to break free from patterns and counting and have fun with yarn! My next workshop is at stag and bow in Forest Hill, London SE23. The workshop runs on two consecutive Thursday evenings - 10 and 17 May from 6.30 to 9.30pm. Participants will be able to take their projects away to work on in between the workshops.
Yesterday was the fourth Craft Club session at Turner Contemporary. The heavy rain and strong winds didn’t deter visitors; I think it was one of our busiest sessions yet.
With three volunteers and staff from the gallery to support us, we were kept busy teaching people of all ages to knit, finger knit, crochet and weave. As always, I didn’t have time to take many photos - there will be photos coming on the Turner Contemporary website soon.
In addition to pegloom weaving, I spent some time teaching people basic knitting and freeform knitting. It was great to see people enjoy playing with yarn in a new way by knitting in a freeform style - no patterns and no rules. Here is the progress on a freeform piece which I have taken to many workshops for people to join in with.
Here is the the same piece draped over my mannequin.
The next Craft Club coincides with the opening of the Tracey Emin exhibition She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea. As well as the crafts which we already provide at Craft Club - knitting, finger knitting, weaving and crochet - we will be teaching stitching and embroidery, inspired by the exhibition. I can’t wait!
Here is my latest freeform knitted piece - Wrapped in a Purple Cloud II - knitted for a commission
I’ve just finished a commission for a freeform knitted wrap.
Pics to come, after I have delivered it to my customer!
Toy loom
I have bought a lovely new toy loom - small but very well designed, from class ohlsen. The Swedish loom is designed for children and is a joy to use. I really love the wooden needle.
I am weaving on it using recycled sari silk and ribbon.
This is one of the most impressive pieces of weaving I have seen for a long time - Galilee woven tapestry by Jill Hutchinson, hung in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
The piece is women from a huge range of yarns and recycled materials including plastic. The trees stand proud of the weaving to create a 3D effect. Fabulous!
I’ll be having a stall at this Craft Fair.
Come along to have a go at pegloom weaving and buy peglooms and pegloom weaving kits.
You will also be able to buy my textile art.
A few weeks ago I went to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Tate.
Here are some sketches from my sketchbook, in coloured pencil, inspired by the exhibition. I haven’t done much sketching over the past few weeks, it’s good to get back into it.
Today I received a commission for a freeform wrap, similar to this one based inspired by Jane Thornley. I called my piece “Wrapped in a Purple Cloud”. I won’t be posting any more pictures of this one until it is finished - my customer would like the finished piece to be a surprise!
