Creative Textiles

MEETS	Monthly
WHEN	1st Thursday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00pm
WHERE	Wribbenhall Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Road, Bewdley DY12 1EU. See Map
COST	£3.00 per session
LEADER	Gail Tutcher
CONTACT	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DESCRIPTION	This new group will explore different methods of decorating and manipulating textiles. The focus will be on hand and machine embroidery, printing on fabric and experimenting with ways to colour and shape fabrics. Please note that it will not include knitting, crochet or quilting. There will also be occasional visits to textile exhibitions and places to gather inspiration for our projects. All abilities welcome!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	This is a popular group and we have had quite a few new members. It is very difficult to run this group with too many people, so unfortunately WE NOW HAVE A WAITING LIST please contact us if you would like to go on the list and we will let you know when there is a place for you.

Date	Topic
5 September	Yellow Use the colour yellow as the theme for the Y pages of your alphabet sketchbook. We will also have a go at dyeing fabric with turmeric.
3 October	Stitching on Paper Paper can be an interesting addition to textile work. Learn techniques for incorporating it into your work.
7 November	Bargello Embroidery Learn about the history and technique then create a sample for the B pages of your alphabet sketchbook.
5 December	Christmas Hearts Make a stitched felt heart to hang on your tree or give as a festive gift.
2 January	A Bit of Bling Use scraps of packaging, ribbon and fabric to make your own sequins, embellishments, puffs and bows.
6 February	Colour Mixing Have a go at blended stranded embroidery silks to create new shades of colour.
6 March	Group Visit to the Museum of Carpet (provisional) The Museum of Carpet is a fabulous source of inspiration. We will find out more about the world of carpet and design in a private group visit.
3 April	Printing on Fabric Explore a range of techniques for printing on fabric – using a Gelli plate, bubble-printing and making your own stamps.
1 May	Applique Houses Use fabric scraps, Bondaweb and stitching to create a picture of a tiny house. This meeting may be open to others as part of Sustfest 2025 (dates are still to be confirmed).
5 June	Melting & Distressing Fabric Experiments with heat guns, painted Bondaweb and Lutradur. We will also use a soldering iron to cut shapes from synthetic fabric.
3 July	Fun With Fly Stitch Try out different ways with this versatile stitch.
August	No meeting

Date

Topic

Materials to bring

2 November

Fusing fabrics with Bondaweb

Design a name badge and apply the letters to a background. Embellish with stitches and beads.

Notebook with plain pages (not lined), pen and pencil

Embroidery scissors

A selection of needles

Embroidery threads (stranded cotton or cotton perle)

All other materials will be supplied

7 December

Creative ways with blanket stitch

Explore variations of blanket stitch.

Play the stitch game and create a sample.

6-8’’ embroidery hoop

25cm square of plain fabric

Embroidery scissors

A selection of needles

Embroidery threads (stranded cotton or cotton perle)

Notebook with plain pages (not lined), pen and pencil

4 January

Rust dyeing

Learn the technique of dyeing fabric with rusted objects. Explore other materials for colouring fabric - tea, coffee, Markal sticks and Sharpies.

Old roasting tin or similar

Rusty nails, washers, keys, tent pegs, or other small pieces of rusty metal

Pieces of old cotton sheet for dyeing

White vinegar

Rubber gloves

Sheet of plastic to cover the table

1 February

Nature under the microscope

Use microscope images of stems, cells, etc. to inspire textile work.

Explore options for creating an inspiration board.

Look at examples of work by textile artist, Mirjam Gielen.

Have a go at distorting blanket stitch to create embroidered cells.

Notebook with plain pages (not lined), pen and pencil

Piece of plain fabric at least 25cm x 20cm

Embroidery scissors

A selection of needles

Embroidery threads (stranded cotton or cotton perle)

Optional – a device for browsing the internet

7 March

D is for Dandelion - alphabet sketchbooks

Look at examples of textile sketchbooks.

Explore techniques for designing for embroidery.

Have a go at fly stitch.

Make a start on your own sketchbook.

Images of dandelions (photos, drawings, cuttings, etc)

Notebook with plain pages (not lined), pen and pencil

Money to purchase a small sketchbook

Embroidery scissors

A selection of needles

Embroidery threads (stranded cotton or cotton perle)

4 April

Textiles from around the world

Explore textile styles and techniques from the chosen countries.

Start planning a group exhibition for the September or October 2024 meeting.

Notebook with plain pages (not lined), pen and pencil

Alphabet sketchbook

2 May

Transfer Printing

Use images of windows for inspiration.

Print fabric and explore ways to add stitching.

Selection of paint brushes

Pot for rinsing brushes

Plastic sheet to protect table

Pictures of interesting windows – cuttings, photos, sketches

Sheets of white copier paper

Pieces of synthetic fabric to print e.g. polyester

6 June

Creating textures

Experiment with heating and melting organza and Tyvek.

Craft heat gun if you own one

Old towel or ironing mat

Baking parchment

4 July

Sit & Stitch

Relax, chat and work on exhibition pieces.

Equipment to work on your exhibition project

August

No meeting