Mandy trained as a Surface Pattern & Textile Designer and Teacher and now works from a studio in a converted manse in rural Northumberland. She treasures the old and worn, refashioning vintage textiles into new collages which are embellished with stitch and appliqué. Please note that this is a Zoom talk.

We are very pleased to have Joanna back, after her entertaining talk in November. This is an experimental workshop exploring the tremendous variety of effects possible using simple couching techniques.

Nigel's talk promises to be of both local interest, especially to anyone living in Leamington in the '60s and '70s,  and very colourful. Nigel says, "My talk will cover the setting up of Sari Fabrics by Joy and Malcolm Wilcox in the late 1960's and its subsequent location at Sydenham in Leamington Spa. "I will look… Read More »Talk: Design and Designers with Nigel Briggs

Ebb and Flow looks at creating rhythm and movement across a piece, using a variety of different traditional stitches, in a contemporary way. It includes the use of recycled plastics and paper. This is a great workshop for those wishing to push the boundaries of their embroidery experience and to look at the art of… Read More »Workshop: Ebb and Flow with Zara Day

Rather than a talk, this will be an opportunity to meet and chat to Jessie Chorley. Jessie is a London-based textile artist, specialising in contemporary illustrative embroidery and simple patching techniques. The traditional technical skills and hands-on approach that she celebrates in her work today were passed down to her from her own family of makers.… Read More »Demo and Question & Answer Session with Jessie Chorley

All Jessie's work revolves around story-telling, inspired by events from her life, which she then embellishes with make-believe based on folklore. Needle and thread are her drawing tools of choice - using them to create scenes and stories, combining stitched images and words, largely on pre-loved fabric and paper. Full details of materials required can… Read More »Workshop: Stories in Stitch with Jessie Chorley

Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a Catalan architect, whose works have a very distinctive style. Most are located in Barcelona, including his main work, the church of the Sagrada Família and Parc Guell. Bright and colourful mosaics, things that draw the eye to certain points and always a bit of fun.     Antoni Gaudi's creations were both… Read More »Members’ Day: Gaudi Inspired

Nikki taught Art for 30 years and took early retirement in 2016 to pursue her interest in textiles and mixed media. She is a self-taught textile enthusiast, specialising in free machine embroidery and is inspired by the Natural World, Mythology, Religion, Symbolism, Literature, History and Art. During her talk Nikki will explain the development of… Read More »Talk: My Work, Nikki Parmenter

This workshop is called Fabulous Fish, but Nikki will bring templates for a selection of 3D items for people to chose from - using pipe cleaners, wadding, wool and fabric. Alternatively, use a bonded fabric technique to create an intensely coloured piece of material which will be used to create a 3D fish, seahorse or… Read More »Workshop: Fabulous Fish with Nikki Parmenter

Elizabeth Foster is a talented stage costume maker and is also a member of Warwickshire Stitchers. Her current position is at the Bear Pit in Stratford-upon-Avon, but she has made costumes around the world. We will need to keep an eye out for a strange bird during her talk ... Croquet anyone? Alice in Wonderland Erith… Read More »Talk: Elizabeth Foster, A Life in Costume

Growing up in Yorkshire in the 80s, Kathryn has always loved clunky, rickety, children’s stop-frame animations, which champion the underdog, and beautiful, inky children’s book illustrations, which allowed her to escape into an alternate world. Kathryn says: " "I originally trained as a Theatre Designer, which gave me a strong grounding into interpreting text into… Read More »Workshop: Mouse in the House with Kathryn Ashcroft

In this talk Kate will share how she developed and created her textile work, and how she began her journey as a textile artist and tutor.  She will share how she has discovered, created and experimented with colour and texture. Kate will talk about the wide range of techniques she has worked with and developed… Read More »Zoom talk: A creative journey with colour and texture with Kate Slaughter