That's a Wrap!

It's been a delight and a pleasure to have run Breightmet Long Arm Quilting studios over the past 4 years.  We had our last quilt club just before Christmas.  Thank you to everyone who has shared their skills, had a laugh and did a bit of sewing.  I am continuing to work as a textile artists and community arts facilitator, so please get in touch if you would like to talk about potential projects.  I am also a director of Breakdown Bolton and The Stand Up Sisters delivering creative sessions in the North West of England.

Women's Centenary Suffragettes Project

I've had the pleasure of working with 4 groups in Bolton on a Women's Centenary Project celebrating 100 years since (some) women got the vote.  It was organised by the Drummond Street Craft and Culture Group, supported by Lesley Tyrer and Christine Baldwin the Community Champion at Asda on Blackburn Road.  The groups made banners, decorations, sashes and rosettes.  It culminated in a community tea party.

Made in Bolton

Went to see the 'Made in Bolton' exhibition at Asda created by the very talented Drummond Street Craft and Culture group. The workshops and exhibition were sponsored by Christine Baldwin the Community Champion of Bolton Asda who works with Lesley Tyrer the activities coordinator for Bolton at Home Sheltered Housing Scheme.  The group meets on Monday's 10-12.

The work was about the daily lives of Mill Workers in Bolton.  We experimented with Gelli Plate printing and fabric image transfer.  The work they made was amazing.

The People's Quilt

Are you an ex machinist, keen sewer or would like to learn to sew?  We are looking for people connected to Bolton’s textile industry to be part of the creation of an exciting project charting Bolton’s past, present and future.

Starting October 3^rd, 1-3pm

Elderdale Community Centre,  Yewdale Gardens Breightmet BL2 5JF

Contact Jennifer 07872342718

tracy@thevideobox.tv  francesca@thevideobox.tv

Trip to Burnley and Gawthorpe

There is another sewing group in Burnley called Valley Street Textile Studio which is linked to the Gawthorpe Hall Textile Collection.  They came to visit us a couple of months ago to see what we have been doing and we had the pleasure of visiting their group on Friday.  Their mission is to carry on the work of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth who started collecting textiles to be used as teaching aids.  

"Miss Rachel demystified textile craft, which she believed (much ahead of her time) aided wellbeing. She taught out in communities and opened up her home. Her collection was created, not through wealth, but through donations from her far reaching networks and friendships. Her value system was different from that of many others and her model of collecting (and sharing) was highly personal."

The community sewing group has been busily getting ready for an exhibition at Gawthorpe Hall.  We met them at the community centre where they meet and then had lunch in the delicious cafe.  We had a sneak peek at the upcoming exhibition, "Miss Rachel's Roses".  It was a wonderful day out.  We'd like to say "thanks" for inviting us.  We were all inspired by your amazing work.

Campbell House Reminiscene

Well done Campbell House on your Reminiscenes Holiday Postcard project.  It was a pleasure to work with you.