The exhibition features work by 48 members of the BTG. The diverse works in the exhibition explore the theme of a sensitive touch. Samples are provided for handling and some pieces have been specifically made to be touched.
For more details visit
www.quiltmuseum.org.uk
www.thebritishtapestrygroup.co.uk
Independent TV production company Ricochet has recently been commissioned to make a new series for one of the UK’s Major Broadcasters celebrating traditional and contemporary crafts.
They are currently on the lookout for the country’s most gifted amateur craftspeople to take part in a unique programme that will hone their skills and hopefully support them to become masters of their crafts. The crafts they aim to feature include; Pottery, Blacksmithing, Stonemasonry, Weaving, Glass and Cabinet making.
These craftspeople will be mentored by some of the UK’s top professionals from a variety of disciplines as apprentices on an intensive training scheme. At the end of each training period the apprentices will have the opportunity to create a final piece which will be judged by the leading craftsmen and women in these fields. One apprentice will be claimed the best and will hopefully get the opportunity to turn their passion into a career.
If in the instance your skills are too professional, please do think of any emerging and enthusiastic individuals breaking into the world of textiles.
To find out more information regarding this series, please contact Adam on 01273 224 837 / crafts@ricochet.co.uk
In July 2013 the eTextiles Summer Camp event took place in Paillard, France, generously hosted by Paillard Centre d’Art Contemporain & Résidence d’Artistes and meticulously organised by Mika Satomi and Hannah Perner-Wilson of Kobakant. The location of a French countryside village, in an old secluded 18th century paper mill was perfect for such an event.
This five day event bought together an international mix of some of the most involved and enthused e-textile practitioners working in areas such as design, art, research, professional industry, academia and computing. The full schedule consisted of a lot of e-textiles thinking, doing, making, talking and sharing, based around the theme of the event – ‘soft and slow e-textiles’. The focus was on making processes involving time intensive craft methods and hand making in collaboration with new technologies.
Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) are seeking to employ a Design Development Consultant, for Sri Lanka’s Handloom Industry, to advise and support the hand weaving industry, which has seen a decline in its exports in past years.
Applicants should have international experience of design, product development and marketing within the hand weaving or related industry. Initially, the applicant would be engaged for between 10 and 15 days, during which time they would devise and run workshops, visit 4-5 individual companies to provide focused support and advice, and meet with the EDB to make recommendations for the future.
The aim of the initiative is to help the industry evolve new products and enhance its existing range with a view to increasing demand from western and tourist markets. The EDB have requested that interested applicants should prepare detailed proposal for a 10 to 15 day programme, together with a CV and estimate of full costs including professional fee. Address to: Director of Industrial Products Chitranjali Dissanayake 42 Navam Mawatha Colombo 2 SriLanka Or email (for his attention) edb@tradesnetsl.lk
For more detailed information contact J. Shellard: j.m.shellard@btinternet.com
The London Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is holding a textile exhibition:Â A Field of Cloths – An exhibition of handspun & handwoven textiles inspired by Africa, China and India at St Martin-in the Fields, London
Inspired by the commitment of the church to its outreach work in the wider community and its worldwide connections the Guild’s exhibition reflects the designs, techniques, colours and fabrics of China, Africa, India, and Asia. Each piece will be accompanied by an explanation of the original inspiration; such as yarns, i.e. silk, bamboo, camel, the vibrant colours of Africa and India and dyes from around the world.
The exhibition is being held in The Gallery in the Crypt of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Dates: 20th August -15th September 2013
Free admission – open daily 11.am-6pm.
There will be handmade items for sale.
Guild information.
The London Guild was founded in 1950 and has around 150 active members. They share an interest in hand spinning, hand weaving, dyeing, design, and textiles in general, and membership is open to anyone interested in these crafts. The members are active in producing textiles, both for personal use and commercially, and they also provide training programmes and support others in the understanding and practice of their crafts. As part of the aim of the Guild to promote awareness of and education in these crafts, they hold a biennial exhibition of members work which this year is at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Guild members give demonstrations of weaving and spinning at events such as the recent Silk Day in Spitalfields celebrating the history of the Huguenots in London.
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The 2013 Texprint Weavers exhibited their work last week at Texprint London for a first view for press, sponsors, industry and supporters. The Designers will all be showing at Indigo/Premi̬r Vision, Paris from 17th Р19th Sept 2013.
The following five weave designers showed their work at the Texprint London.
Elizabeth Ashdown
Inspired by military and tudor embroidery and interlocking wires found in mechanical parts, Elizabeth Ashdowns’ woven and stitched textile collection incorporates a range of luxurious and unusual materials.
‘Stitched Connections’ is a collection of statement passmenterie trimmings that utilise  a fresh and contemporary colour palette to present a quirky and highly individual approach to an age-old craft.  She also designs a range of woven and switched textiles for both fashion and interiors
Website: http://www.elizabethashdown.co.uk/
Contact: Info@elizabethashdown.co.uk
Elizabeth graduated from Central Saint Martins, UAL. Ribbon images by the designer
Signe Rand Ebbesen
The inspiration for Signe’s graduate collection of woven fabrics is the colour shifts, the unpredictable structures, the glitter and the semi-translucent layering of minerals and crystals. She has sought to create textiles that change colour and pattern depending on the angle of light, movement and the draping.
The characteristics and aesthetics of treatments normally added to fabrics after production, like embroidery, foiling, embossing and waxing have been engineered into the weaving, to give a luxurious detailing.
Signe has used natural fibres like cashmere, silk and linen to give the fabrics good draping properties and woven synthetic materials like nylon and polyurethane on the top of the cloth to give a sculptural and unexpected surface. ”
Website: http://www.signerandebbesen.com/
Email: signe@signerandebbesen.com
Signe.ebbesen@network.rca.ac.uk
Signe graduated from The Royal College of Art.
Ffion Griffith
‘Unravelling the Welsh blanket’
With the aim of reviving and preserving Welsh weaving methods this collection reinterprets traditional techniques in an original way.
Studying historical textiles inspired the creative reinvigoration of Welsh double-cloth, honeycomb textures and classic striped designs. Correspondence with mill-owners set the challenge of adhering to the industry’s unchanged manufacturing capacities.
Championing the luxurious qualities of natural fibres influenced the choice of lambswool to create blankets of irresistible tactility. British woven Axeminster carpet is a celebration of a collaboration between traditional manufacturing and contemporary ideas. A range of digitally printed cotton furnishing velvet offers a combination of practicality and eye-catching design, which demonstrates the versatility of pattern application.
Focused on celebrating the wealth of Wales’ traditional manufacturing skills, the presentation of new captivating designs entrenched in historic poignancy will raise the profile of Wales’ woollen industry.
Blog: http://ffiongriffith.blogspot.co.uk/
Email: ffion_g@hotmail.co.uk
Ffion graduated from Cheslsea College of Arts and Design, UAL
Cherica Haye
Chericas collection is inspired by Savile Row opulence juxtaposed with crowd protest photography and group animal migration. She explores traditional/luxe yarns alongside less conventional materials such as horsehair and plastic.
Email: cherica.haye@network.rca.ac.uk
chericahaye.tumblr.com
Cherica graduated from the Royal College of Art
Taslima Sultana
Taslima’s work is inspired by the way insects and plants use their natural designs to attract and protect. From the use of colour, texture and pattern she has produced a vibrant textural collection designed for luxury interior accessories.
Email: tsultana@live.co.uk
Website: www.taslimasultana.co.uk
Taslima graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, UAL
Humphries Weaving company has an international reputation for high quality in woven silk fabrics, and has been weaving exclusive furnishing fabrics since 1972. They are looking to recruit a Sales Trainee Manger.
The successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to work with existing clients whilst seeking out new sales possibilities. The successful candidate will liaise between clients, designers and production. A key requirement will be an understanding of the UK and international furnishing markets and Humphries Weaving’s place with-in it.
Textile design or a background in historic interiors would be an advantage. Enthusiasm and communication skills will enhance the company’s opportunities and reputation at the very top of the furnishing trade. They offer training for development, and a unique chance to work with a luxury brand in the textile industry.
Hours of work are 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday – (40 hours) Please send applications in  by July 31st 2013.
Job location Sudbury, Suffolk
Web: www.humphriesweaving.co.uk
Please send your CV to sales@humphriesweaving.co.uk for the attention of: R. J. Humphries
London College of Fashion symposium: Connecting with Textiles
Date: Thursday 11th July 2013
Time: 8.45am – 3,30pm
Location: 40 Lime Grove, London W12 8EA
In celebration of the diversity and significance of textiles in the contemporary fashion industry, London College of Fashion is pleased to announce its first Textiles Symposium: ‘Connecting with Textiles’ scheduled for Thursday 11th July 2013 at its Lime Grove building, 40 Lime Grove, London W12 8EA.
The day-long symposium will take the form of short pecha kucha style presentations by representatives from all areas of the industry, offering an insight into textile research, design and innovation in all its guises within fashion. There will be presentations from leading researchers, designers and recent graduates covering present developments and future aspirations, allowing for lively debate and exchange of ideas in the world of textiles for the fashion industry.
Please pay the nominal registration fee of £15 in advance of the event here.
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The British Wool Weekend Show is to promote and raise the profile of British wool, the farmers who produce it and to show wool textile products.
Venue:
Hall 2, Yorkshire Event Centre, The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate HG2 8QZ
Opening times:
Saturday 7th September – Open: 10:00am – Close: 5:00pm
Sunday 8th September – Open: 10:00am – Close: 4:30pm
If you are a the craft worker or designer maker who use British wool to spin, weave, knit, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, hand dye, make felt or any other textile process, or you interested in the pure wool textile products produced by craft workers, you should visit this show.
Exhibitors include: Natural Fibre Company, Rare Breed Survival Trust, National Angora Club, Real Shetland Company, Rowan Yarns, Romney Marsh Wools amongst many others
There are talks, workshops and demonstrations including felt making, the Sheep Show Man and alpacas
www.britishwool.net
The British Interior Textiles  Association
You are invited to enter the Emerging Talent Award competition, set up to identify the most talented furnishing fabric designers of the year, who are still completing a degree in surface pattern or textile design or have completed their degree or have already commenced work in the industry within the last 3 years. The award will be presented at the BITA September Showcase, 5 – 22th September 2013. www.interiortextiles.co.uk
Prizes.
The first place winner will receive £1,000 and a week’s placement in the design studio at Prestigious Textiles – one of the UK’s top furnishing brands.
Second place winner will receive £500
Third place winner will receive £250
The prizes will be presented during the BITA SEPTEMBER SHOWCASE at one of the 7 venues by the judges and Vice Chairman of Bita – Diane Harding.
The winners will have their work exhibited at the show along with the work of up to 10 short-listed designers. Other benefits will include free publicity and exposure to the industry via the trade media. Deadline: Wednesday July 31st 2013. Continue reading →