General workshop details:

We hold a variety of workshops throughout the year for which a fee is payable.  It is necessary to book these in advance and if you are interested in joining a workshop, please contact Alison (details above).  These are either at the Age Concern Merstham centre or 7th Reigate Scout hut.

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Also, if you run textile related workshops, we would be interested in receiving details from you for consideration when we arrange future workshops.

Monastery Floor - tutor Angie Hughes

 

This is a new workshop inspired by monastery floor tiles and nature taking over.  It is a mixed media session including stencilling, stitch and machine embroidery on solubles and organza. 

 

Angie Hughes works in Ledbury on the Welsh borders.  She exhibits from time to time and also teaches online and in person.  She is a mixed media and textile artist and loves to experiment with different mixes of materials just to see what happens. 

If you would like to know more, please take a look at this article on The Textile Artist website:  

www.textileartist.org/angie-hughes-the-curious-maker

and Angie's website:

www.angiehughes.com

Machine embroidery - tutor Anne Sillifant

 

A workshop with our own branch member, Anne Sillifant.  Anne is one of the founder members of our group, ex-Chair and an art and textile tutor who regularly exhibits her work. 

 

Anne is a machine embroidery expert and this workshop is aimed at all levels to encourage everyone to develop their machine embroidery skills and creativity.

Inspired by India - tutor Wendy Dolan
 

This workshop will explore the vibrant colours and patterns of Indian Textiles. Applied fabrics, fabric painting, block printing and freehand machine embroidery will be combined to create unique designs inspired by Indian Textiles.  Natural fabrics will be pieced and layered, creating textured backgrounds, then colour and pattern will be applied with fabric paint, wooden printing blocks and stitching.

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Wendy Dolan is a textile artist, tutor and author based in Hove, Sussex.  As a freelance tutor and lecturer, Wendy offers courses, lectures and demonstrations on a wide variety of subjects such as landscape, natural forms and architecture relating to stitched textiles.  Wendy is a tour leader for Aahilya Holidays taking groups on textile tours to India, exploring the crafts and textiles of Gujart, Rajasthan, Himachal, Punjab and Kerala and the talk this evening will relate to India.  

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Wendy has a BEd Hons degree in Art and Textiles and a Diploma in Creative Stitched Textiles.  She is a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen and a member of the Sussex Guild.

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Wendy will also be our speaker at our meeting on Tuesday, 8 April, please see our meetings page

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More information can be found on the following websites:
www.wendydolan.co.uk

www.aahilyaholidays.com​

Stained Glass Patchwork - tutor Gail Lawther

 

Gail Lawther is an award-winning quilter and teacher and is the author of many crafting books.  She began working full time in fabric and thread about 20 years ago, and cannot imagine a better way to earn her living!  She designs and stitches quilts for books and patterns and also creates larger pieces on commission.  Gail is well known for stained glass patchwork and will teach the techniques and tricks to create gorgeous fabric stained glass panels.

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For more information about Gail and her work, go to:

www.gaillawther.co.uk

Canvas work, an abundance of stitches - tutor Caroline Thaxter

 

Caroline will demonstrate a variety of canvas work stitches to create either a needle case, pin cushion or mini-sampler.  Canvas work is also called needlepoint (and often mistakenly called tapestry) but it is the use of yarn on canvas and this workshop will be suitable for beginners and those with some experience.  You can either follow a simple geometric pattern or use a variety of stitches to create your own design.  Canvas work is surprisingly hard wearing and Caroline is still using a needle case she made in the 1990s.​​

Textile Lanterns - tutor Kate Findlay
 

This is a very individual and creative project with many possible outcomes.  Kate will show a number of options, which include paint, as well as bonded sheer fabrics, and options which work for machine or just hand stitch.  Also some no paint ideas using just fabrics. 

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Make a stunning lamp using lutradur and a variety of decorative effects, then learn how to sew in a circuit to switch on a colour changing LED light.

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For more information about Kate and her work, please visit her website:  

www.artsfindlay.co.uk