Great Northern Textile Show

Only two more days to buy your ticket for this local show as ticket sales end on 28th October. Go to https://greatnortherntextileshow.com for booking via Eventbrite. Tickets are £7.50, with timed entry.

Lots to see, including demos (Pam is on the IFA stand), and, of course, it's a great retail opportunity whether you sew, knit/crochet, quilt, felt or dye.

The venue is BeActive Urmston (formerly the George Carnall Community Hub), Manchester, M41 7FJ.

Interested in natural dyeing?

STRETFORD COMMUNITY DYE GARDEN is launching a new project, in partnership with Friends of Victoria Park Stretford. Thanks to RHS funding, they are working to create a dye garden in Victoria Park. There'll be workshops on natural dyeing and other resources, with lots of opportunities to learn and volunteer. If you've got green fingers, are interested in natural dyeing or growing, or keen to learn, find out more and complete their survey below to register your interest.

Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWnipE1rRZsAQn-ld5Fv-jEVSwlwlIolQ1y7sODbVFfeaWBA/viewform

October meeting - Bring On the Beady Bling!

Nicole led a fun, friendly and fiddly workshop at our October meeting making small beaded danglies/decorations.  She saved us the trouble of sorting through our own stuff by bringing packs with all the requirements - although we did have the problem of colour choice, whether it was autumnal, festive (for those of us who like to be prepared!) or traditional. Thanks you, Nicole.  Here are some of the completed pieces.

Our afternoon session was a talk by Stewart Kelly, a locally-based and internationally recognised artist. Using some excellent photos of his work, Stewart took us through his career from a BA at Liverpool John Moores, an MA at MMU and, currently as a Post-Graduate Researcher at MMU. He has also taught in arts and community mental health projects.  Much of Stewart's work is based on his drawings of the human form, cutting, weaving and heavily machine stitching the new surface.

There's more information about Stewart Kelly's work, and some excellent photos, in the March/April 2023 edition of Embroidery magazine.

Leek Exhibitions

It's not often that there's an opportunity to see two great textile exhibitions in such close proximity!

Stitchlines - Exploration and Transformation (until 11 November)

Textiles and mixed media work exploring different techniques that transform surfaces.

Foxlowe Arts Centre, Stockwell St, Leek       Tel: 01538 386112

Exhibition in The Gallery on the first floor (stairs, no lift), excellent cafe on the ground floor.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm

Threadmill - Kaleidoscope (until 4 November)

An exploration of colour, texture and pattern developed from the Arts & Crafts Movement and The Leek Embroidery Society

Nicholson Institute, Stockwell St, Leek          Tel: 01538 395530

Exhibition on the first floor (stairs & lift), with museum (includes work of the Leek Embroidery Society) and Tourist Information.  Library on the ground floor.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm