SST Winter 2014 Newsletter

Winter 2014

Newslet terTextile Course News, Inspiration & Ideas

Contents

SpecialsGraduate Student Profile p6-7Sample box mini project p8

NewsChristmas Opening and submission dates p4One Step On Exhibiting Group p5Rayon and Trees p10

RegularsWho's Blogging Now p4 New Student Photos just up on Flickr p6Bookworm's Corner p9-10Whats On - Events p11-12

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Introduction

Hello and welcome to the Winter Newsletter.

We have news on Christmas deadlines, Trees and Rayon, Who's blogging, One Step On exhibiting group, a Project box mini project, student experience article and all the usual flickr photos, book corner and whats on sections

Hope you enjoy it all....

Best wishes, The Office Team and Tutors at SST.xxx

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Goodness, how quickly this time of year comes around! In order to be able to return feedback to you before Christmas we need to have work in on or before Tuesday 16th December.

Presentations submitted after this time will remain on file until our return to the office on Monday 5th January 2015.

Christmas SubmissionDeadlines for coursework submission prior to Christmas

Who's Blogging Now?Taking a look at Rhianon Taylor’s Nifty Stitcher Blog..............

The Nifty Stitcher Blog is certainly worth a visit. Go to http://www.rhianontaylor.blogspot.co.uk/. Rhianon Taylor hails from Fife in Scotland and tell visitors;

“Welcome to my blog. My name is Rhianon and I am passionate about quilting. I embroider for a living and am happy to take on commissions, quilted or otherwise. I graduated from the Royal School of Needlework, London in 1987. Please enjoy looking around my blog and leave me a comment if you like. I always try to reply. Enjoy your visit!

Her work is quirky and colourful, as you can see from the home page image above. She has achieved a number of awards, includingScottish Quilt Championships : 1st Small Wall Hanging 20121st Machine Quilting 20122nd Minature 2012Judges Choice Award 2012

Rhianon also works to commission, so if you’re in the market for something handmade but don’t have the time to do it yourself it may be worth a look on her blog.

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Lovely to see One Step On still going strong......How nice to see a local exhibiting group still going strong!In Workbox magazine November/December Edition One Step On have been given a page to showcase their Woodland exhibition.The group was formed by SST’s Gail Cowley back in 2001 when she realised that her attending City & Guilds certificate and diploma students were somewhat unwilling to finish their coursework, as they did not want their fortnightly classes to come to an end when they did. The new group was formed so that everyone who completed their course could still meet up with their old classmates and work towards a yearly exhibition, thus giving them companionship and purpose after the City & Guilds experience. Their first exhibition was called Earth, Fire, Water and Air and, although members have inevitably moved on as life intervened, the group has stayed constant since its formation 13 years ago. Gail stepped down as chair several years ago due to

her commitments at SST, but still follows the group with interest and was delighted to see them featured in Workbox this month. Especially as one of our completing City & Guilds Embroidery students, Cherie Gurney, is also featured in the same issue of Workbox (thumbnail below). A sort of ‘that was then and this is now’ scenario for Gail!

One Step On Exhibiting Group

A brand new batch of photos have been uplifted to Flickr, showcasing student work which we have had the pleasure of assessing over the last 8 weeks or so.

We’re gradually building up our Flickr photo area, as we know how much you all like to see the work of others.

Do take a look and leave comments for those who are showcased up there - it really makes a difference to students when they know others are interested in their work.

If you’re looking for the most current go to the nEwly arriVED sEt

New Student Photos just up on FlickrCatch a look at what everyone else is doing!

Graduate student profile 2014Maggie Laws tells her City & Guilds story in her own words......

Following my Dreamby Maggie Laws

I loved art when I was young and drew and painted a lot, but even then I also enjoyed sewing and needlework.

For my art coursework in high school I included batik and hand embroidery. As a geography student I continued with art as a hobby, becoming increasingly interested in textiles. I took

some evening courses and one summer holiday I went to The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool for a textile course on slashing and burning fabric; as a student I had little money so travelled on the bus with my tent and sewing machine.

Over the years, I did bits and pieces when I could. I was interested in the City and Guilds course as it seemed it would give me the scope to learn new techniques using my own designs, but I did not have the time to do it.

The opportunity arose when I gave up my job to look after the kids and my husband’s job took us to Angola. This was the perfect opportunity to follow my dream. Finally, just over three years ago I enrolled in the City and Guilds level three certificate, distance learning with The School of Stitched Textiles.

Living abroad, the course was my lifeline, something I really enjoyed and which kept me busy. The course is broken down into 12 modules, so I found I could focus on one module and not be overawed by the whole course.

However I missed the interaction and inspiration of other students. I found that motivation slumps at the start of a module, but after the first few times, I learnt to expect this and to work on through, as each module progressed, I got better. I also found the SST galleries on the web to be really useful.

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Living in Angola, I have to bring most materials in with me. This means reading ahead and careful planning. I have also saved what I can and have used more unusual materials such as thick plastic or the straw paper that flowers are wrapped in for sale.

I like colour, especially reds, oranges and yellows and always find I have significantly less dye and fabric paint left in these colours.

My second module was based on Aberdeen Harbour where bright orange lifeboats took my interest. My other interest is the outdoors, and I enjoy using geology as a

subject. I enjoy exploring the different textures and trying to show them through different materials and design.

Having finished my level three certificate in Machine embroidery I have now started my diploma. Still in Angola, I base some of my work on everyday life in Africa. Part of my inspiration for my design work is the amazingly colourful Africa

We will probably return to Scotland within the next couple of years and I would like to continue with textiles, no doubt using the Scottish landscape for inspiration with maybe an African slant.

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Sample Box mini ProjectLike the idea of keeping all of your samples in one place?

Sometimes we just want to keep all of our samples on one technique, for one piece or one project in one place. What better than a purpose made box which reflects its contents? This is especially good for bulkier samples which are hard to fit into a file or folder.

We show you how to produce one using many of the things we all keep in stock at home, meaning next to no cost. It will protect your samples, help you to transport them and look good for years to come.

What you’ll need;• nice solid shoe or boot box• white copy paper• images of your samples enlarged on a copier (1 with a title on if you wish to include one• wallpaper paste• fabric glue • fabric to fit the box and turn over the edges • ruler• scissors• knife• pencil

1. Firstly, use the white copy paper and wallpaper paste to blank out the design on the shoe box, as shown, and allow to dry completely. Popping outside on a nice day or into the airing cupboard if you have one are ideal.

2. Ideally the container should reflect the designs that are contained within it, so photograph some of your samples and then print them out A4 (letter) size in colour and paste them onto the outside of the box using wallpaper paste. If you would like to put a title onto the

box, as we have done with our sample, then superimpose a title across one of the photos using photo software on your pc or you could take the lower-tech option of pasting some plainish paper onto a strip on the top of the box lid and stencilling onto it.

3. You can also incorporate some of the left-over fabrics from your samples onto the lid of your box. We used some denim along both edges and sides for ours.

4. To do this, measure the length of the box lid, add the depth of the sides and add on 4cm lengthwise and 2cm widthwise for turnings. Either seam the long edge which shows on the top of the box prior to gluing or run a satins stitch down it to lessen the bulk.

5. To prevent fraying on the turned under edges, seal with fraycheck or clear nail varnish.6. Finally use your fabric glue to stick the denim into the lid of the box; spead the glue thinly and evenly over the area you want the fabric to cover using a piece of spare card and allow to dry for a minute or two until tacky. This prevents show-through and seepage.7. When you get to the edge of the box with your fabric you will find that you need to deal with the corner. Cut a rectangle out of the fabric instead of folding it and then allow the raw fabric edges to meet on the corner. You can treat with fraycheck after they are dry.8. Turn the fabric edges under to the inside of the box and secure with glue.9. Once dry you can load in your samples and enjoy your new box.

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Bookworm's CornerWhat’s new in the world of publicationsAlison Glass AppliqueLucky Spool MediaPublication date; 31 October 2014

Enjoy the classic art of applique but with thoroughly modern projects. Features 8 essential and updated techniques, including the hottest new thing in quilt making: Large Scale applique. Use the skills learned to create one of the beautifully crafted 14 projects for the home by former interior designer turned pattern and Andover Fabrics textile designer, Alison Glass. Combine technique with project in this inspiring book on the time-honored craft of applique, brought up-to-date by award winning designer, Alison Glass.

Her fans have long-awaited a book from Alison and she doesn’t disappoint. Beautiful detailed how-to photos will explore how to create designs using everything from classic needle-turned, hand stitched through to applying the latest substrates and a variety of fibers to achieve heirloom results. Go further with the addition of everything from crochet to embroidery to adding patchwork backgrounds to create unique, modern designs that fit perfectly in our stylish and highly curated handmade homes.

Vintage made ModernJennifer CasaRoot Books

Publish date;30 Sept 2014

Vintage Made Modern is a book devoted to recycling just as generations before us have, utilizing timeworn textiles with histories of their own.

With a little resourcefulness, gentle care, and some creative repurposing, the 35 innovative projects in this book breathe life back into these textiles, refresh their beauty, and create new memories.

Whether iT be Granny’s well-worn apron, a threadbare family quilt, or a tattered tea towel you picked up at the thrift shop, each of these textiles has a tale to tell.

Vintage Made Modern will have you collaborating with makers from the past and continuing stories composed long ago, with you becoming part of the narrative.

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Half Yare HeavenSearch Publications

Published 04 Oct 2013

All of the projects use just half a yard of fabric, making them ideal for using up scraps and oddments left over from other projects or sold off cheaply by your favourite fabric store. All you need is a sewing machine and a basic sewing kit, and in no time at all you’ll be making one of the gorgeous projects in the book. There are twenty-six to choose from, including beautiful bags, aprons, a craft caddy for storing your making kit, padded coat hangers, a chicken doorstop, a handy wash bag, a notice board and numerous other gifts and accessories for you, your family and your home. The basic techniques you need to know are explained clearly at the beginning of the book, and every step-by-step project is accompanied by a fabulous photograph of the finished piece, which will not fail to delight and inspire you.

Rayon and Trees...Do you know the connection?

Rayon is a natural-based material that is made from the cellulose of wood pulp. This natural base gives it many of the characteristics—low cost, diversity, and comfort—that have led to its popularity and success. Today, rayon is considered to be one of the most versatile and economical man-made fibres available. It has been called “the laboratory’s first gift to the loom.”

However unfortunately all is not golden in the manufacturing process. As one of the industry’s major problems, the chemical by-products of rayon have received much attention in these environmentally conscious times. The most popular method of production, the viscose method, generates undesirable water and air emissions. Of particular concern is the emission of zinc and hydrogen sulfide.

Here at SST we are very conscious of our eco-credentials and recognise that, as needleworkers, we all use too much rayon. Many machine and hand threads contain it and of course, we use viscose fabrics to work with, especially where nothing else can easily be substituted i.e. viscose/silk velvet for devore.

Whilst in general distance learning is very eco-friendly; all of those journeys to and from classes saved as well as sending work online rather than by post all contribute to a very clean, green methodology. However there is still the rayon issue, so we decided to partner up with the Woodland Trust in order to plant some trees of our own to offset both our and student usage of rayon.

We have just agreed to plant over 1,000 trees here at Eccles Farm under their MoreWoods scheme at the end of 2015, making a new wooded area of over 1 hectare. Watch out for quite a few pictures of the process as it unfolds!

If you’d like to find out more about the Woodland Trust and their work, you can visit their site at https://www.wooDlanDtrust.org.uk/

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USA Quilt Visions 2014; The Sky's the Limituntil 04-Jan-2015

About the Event: The exhibition will be presented at Visions Art Museum in San Diego, California. The jurors will select work that exemplifies innovation in quilting and surface design techniques as well as excellence in composition and craftsmanship.Visions Art Museum2825, Dewey RoadSuite 100San DiegoCA 92106www.visionsartmuseum.org

Try Again, Fail Again, Fail Better by Claire Morgan16-Nov-2014 to 11-Jan-2015 About the Event;The first museum exhibition in Germany for Belfast-born Claire Morgan is hosted by the Osthaus Museum. This presentation includes large-scale installations - some free-floating , partly in glass cases - and accompanying drawings and studies. In their works, Claire Morgan staged dramatic interactions between animals and nature.They use a concept of nature which is steeped in its environmental awareness and the ruthless dealings of man with the resources of the planet : “ I am investigating situations in which nature challenges reactions caused by us and our by-products ,”

About the Event:Osthaus Museum Hagen, Museumplatz 3, 58095 Hagenwww.osthausmuseum.de

Silk Embroidery Exhibition15-Dec-2014 to 21-Dec-2014

About the Event: The exhibition will showcase the finest handmade silk embroidery art from Asia The mission of Art Rickshaw and the exhibition is to revive and cel-ebrate traditional hand craftsmanship that have been handed down through generations and to promote and raise awareness of traditional art techniques such as embroidery paintings.

Opening Times/Charges/Phone:

0207 491 7322Address:54 Gallery, 54 Shepherd Market, London, W1J 7QX.

Silk Embroidery Exhibition by Art Rickshaw 15-Dec-2014 to 21-Dec-2014

About the Event: The finest selection of contemporary hand crafted silk embroidery art from Asia will be on ex-hibition at the 54 Gallery in Mayfair. A rare opportunity to see a stunning collection of 100% handmade embroider-ies using traditional embroidery techniques that is over 2000 years old.About Art Rickshaw: Art Rickshaw is a small privately owned art dealership specialising in individually crafted art from around the world. The mission of Art Rickshaw is to revive and celebrate traditional hand craftsmanship that have been handed down through generations and to promote and raise awareness of traditional art tech-niques such as embroidery paintings.Website: www.artrickshaw.com

Opening Times/Charges/Phone:Daily Mon - Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 10am – 3pm. Appoint-ments can be made outside these hoursAddress:The 54 Gallery, 54 Shepherds Market, . Nearest station: Green Park UndergroundWIJ 7QX

Nine is 10 03-Mar-2015 to 14-Mar-2015

About the Event: A retrospective exhibition by nine textile artists featuring a wide range of embroideries and tex-tiles which have been created over the last ten years.Opening Times/Charges/Phone:Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm Admission free. Tel 01279 812509Address:Courtyard Arts Gallery,Port Vale,Hertford,Hertfordshire,SG14 3AA

Ten Plus Textiles @ the Silk Museum14-Mar-2015 to 30-May-2015

Whats On - Events If you’re looking for somewhere inspirational for a visit....

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About the Event: An exhibition of contemporary textile art by TEN PLUS TEXTILESclosed sundays and bank holildaysDisabled accessOpening Times/Charges/Phone:£2.00 Exhibition only, £4.50 (£4 concession) full access to Silk Museum, 10 am - 4pm Monday-Saturday, 01625 613210Address:The Silk MuseumPark LaneMacclesfieldCheshireSK11 6TJ

Tilleke Schwarz Framed Embroideries 14-Mar-2015 to 10-May-2015

About the Event: A solo exhibition of frame embroider-ies by internationally recognised textile artist Tilleke Schwarz. This exhibition at Craft in the Bay in Cardiff is a rare opportunity to see a substantial volume of Tilleke’s work under one roof.

Opening Times/Charges/Phone:Details from Charlotte Kingston at Craft in the Bay 029 2048 4611Address:Craft in the BayThe FlourishLloyd George AvenueCardiff BayCF10 4QH

Talking Threads Exhibition: April 201504-Apr-2015 to 26-Apr-2015

About the Event:An exhibition of new work that will include hand and ma-chine embroidery and mixed media, showing the diverse approaches of the eight artists.The artists are: Gill Banks, Margaret Charlton, Mair Edwards, Maureen Ergeneli, Ticia Lever, Jane O’Brien, Jane Treavis, and Polly Woolstone

Opening Times/Charges/Phone:10.30-4.30pm Tues to sat 2.00-4.00pm Sun ADMISSION: freeAddress:West Ox Arts gallery, Market Square, Bampton OX18 2JHOX18 2JH

Design and Craft Fair19-Jun-2015 to 21-Jun-2015

About the Event:The successful West Dean Design and Craft Fair featur-ing MADE will be returning for its second year over three

days 19 - 21 June 2015. Exhibitor bookings are now open and the College is calling for makers and design-ers to show and sell their work to the public alongside hands-on taster workshops and free demonstrations in contemporary art and craft run by the College. Last year over 5,000 people flocked to the event which takes place in the grounds and workshops.

Registration is open from 1st December. Makers and artists interested in getting involved visit www.westdean.org.uk/events.

Tickets for the event will go on sale early next year.Address:West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex,PO18 OQZOpen in Google MapsIrene Caswell, Media Relations Officer, +44 (0) 1243 818280

Telling Storiesuntil 25-Jan-2015

About the Event;The art of storytelling extends beyond the written word, encompassing a myriad of forms. Whether through the illustration of a myth or legend, or the recitation of an epic poem or song, cultures have devised inventive and elaborate methods of recording and depicting their rich histories through the centuries. In this exhibition of artifacts from the permanent collection of the Textile Museum of Canada, textiles perform as instruments of communication, offering narratives that unfold in the making and materiality of each textile.

Textile Museum of Canada55 Centre AvenueToronto, OntarioM5G 2H5www.textilemuseum.ca

The American Tapestry Biennial 10until 4-Jan-2015

About the Event;The tenth American Tapestry Biennial Exhibition confirms that the weaver’s pace of work and hunger for concentration continues to deserve recognition despite our ever increasing pace of life. As the range of works selected for the exhibition confirm, the portrait, landscape and abstract image all continue to find relevance as woven images today

Kent State University MuseumKentOhiowww.kent.edu/museum

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Think that's about it for this edition, folks.......All the very best fromThe Office Team and Tutors at SST.xxx

To contact us our website address is www.sofst.org and our email is [email protected].

Mail address is SST Ltd Eccles Lane, Bispham Green, Ormskirk, Lancs, UK L40 3SD Phone is (044) 01257 463163. We hope you enjoyed our newsletter. If we can help with any queries or you'd like to add to the next one, then please do drop us a line by emailing here