A recent printing course has started and finished!

During the already busy month of October, I started and finished teaching an introduction to Textile Printing course. With no particular outcomes in mind other than to have a go at some new techniques for beginners and add some new ideas for textile ladies from previous courses.

The first week we did some polystyrene 'carving' I have always loved the speed and simplicity of these and the results are generally great and have some exciting potential for further projects.

The following week we looked at 'soft-cut' lino carving, some of the group were more frustrated with this technique but the results we sharper and had an added texture of their own with the residue from the cutting, which I love.

At the end of week 2 I sent them all home with a recipe for a gelli plate, so they would all come prepared for week 3. I love the abstract layering of these but I know some of the ladies struggled with the messiness of them and preferred repeating patterns of other weeks.

Anthea had also made some collage plates to make patterns and textures in her printing.

The final week was spent making simple screen prints, to great success!

Jo printed anything she could lay her hands on, including this bag and her note book :)

This short course was a great success and I think there are lots of ideas flowing for future projects. Thanks ladies for taking part and bringing your enthusiasm and thoughts. Jane x

Textiles at the Library

I think I was planning this exhibition when I posted my last blog way back in May. It's up and running now - hurray! Small, compact but a lovely collection of very great work by 10 textile students from the last 4 years of my teaching.

The work is here for the month of October, do pop along and see it if you can.

There are 36 pieces of work ranging from samples from the Level1 Creative textile award to the Level2 Printed repeated pattern textile length of fabric and the new Level2 Applique and Quilting awards.

Why didn't I take a photograph of everyone with their work!! I don't blooming well know, damn it.

Anyway, lets try and salvage what I have:

Sarah in the black and white dress......is nowhere near her work in this picture.

(there is a catalogue of the work with artists credited you will be pleased to hear)

 Dee stands proudly next to her printed length, while standing in front of mine!! There is another length at the other end of the panels - blue on white.

Deborah on the far right of the picture is again not standing next to her work.

Hilary in the cream cardigan is not either....

Dawn is! The large pieces of dyed shibori looked great on three of the main panels.

Deborah's simple flower printed samples. Lins tryptic.

Judi's Level1 samples

Anthea's printing and devore....with a corner of Lin's work again.

Rose's falling leaves at the top, with Deborah's fallen leaves at the bottom!

Which leads me onto a quick course planned for November:

5 x 2 hour classes of dyeing and printing fabric, inspired by Autumn colours and walks.

Course code J3D194XA

Story of Mum in Milton Keynes

I thought I should write about a project I've been involved in for the last few weeks. A networking a supportive website was set up by a Mother and Daughter duo a couple of years ago. The month of May brings their on-line community to Milton Keynes and knowing the 'Mum' of the family I suggested they might like to show our Community quilt in the exhibition as it was made by Mums in New Bradwell/Milton Keynes.

Story of Mum  is a great on-line support network to CONNECT CREATE AND CELEBRATE.

Our quilt looks amazing hanging in the gallery and has had a great deal of admiration from visitors.

Have a look at the website, be inspired and take part in the challenges!

Here I am with the quilt, a picture never taken before:

Go to the Bramble Patch now!

....if you can

Or have a look at these lovely textile pieces for now.

I had a whole 20mins yesterday to rush to the Bramble Patch and just managed to fly round a very lovely exhibition by SiX and friends as as well as some work from courses they run there. There was no catalogue and I didn't have time to take notes and give credit (very sorry)

But some of the work you may recognise for yourselves.

The exhibition is on until April 6th, not Easter Sunday or Monday though 10-5

There is plenty to see there and for a £2 contribution to the Macmillan money well spent.

And of course you could get side tracked by the amazing fabrics in the main shop, you have been warned!

 This one I bought as a card from the Quilt Centre in York a couple of years ago, so it was a lovely surprise to see it for real.