Research for new work

Leading up to my next textile fair at the Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington on the 5-7th March, I have been researching and brainstorming some ideas. I've been attracted to some techniques recently that I wanted to explore further, namely "Boro", "Sashiko" and "Shibori", all Japanese methods of dyeing and stitching. 

Boro textile

Boro was a patching and repairing method for clothes and quilts of poorer folk. Instead of throwing away fabrics, they were kept for repair by topstitching over worn patches to form new layers. This patchwork effect of different materials offers interesting textured surfaces and a lovely worn distressed appearance.

Sashiko is an all over stitching, usually with white thick thread on indigo fabric sometimes in a running stitch or a uniformed pattern. The stitch length is the same throughout and patterns are precise.

Shibori is a method of resist dyeing, a Japanese version of tie dye, which had particular wrapping and tieing methods to form patterned cloth. Traditionally using indigo dye, sophisticated patterns were made through stitching, clamping and folding round bamboo poles, shapes and even dried beans! 

Sashiko textile (Met Museum)

Shibori textiles

The Festival of Quilts

Map of a celestial journey. 2014

My quilt at the Festival of Quilts 2014

 I know it's been a while, so I'll just update from where I left off...

My quilt was displayed at The Festival of Quilts in August last year at the Birmingham NEC. It did look wonderful hung amongst other quilts on show. I've never been to the FOQ before so took the opportunity and a very reasonable priced train ticket to visit.

Inside is a huge venue with displays, exhibitions, workshops and huge amount of sellers of all things textile related. It's definitely worth a visit if you live nearby just to stock up on haberdashery and fabrics and I managed to come away with a few lovely fabrics for future makes.

There were hundreds of quilts on show with great skill which must have taken many, many months to complete, with a variety of techniques from traditional quilting to more modern and abstract approaches. I'm more a fan of the modern myself!

There was an amazing quilt by Sarah Impey, who is known for her use of text.

This is the quilt that won the Fine Art Masters category by textile artist Brigitte Kopp. 

If I have time I would like to produce a quilt for this year's FOQ but this time, more of a miniature sized one! A great show for textile lovers.