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.

Project Postcard: Part One

.We are working with three Sheltered Housing units in Bolton: Highfield House, Eldon House and Drummond Street using resident's pictures and images from the internet to create a postcard about their favourite holiday or their dream vacation. Everyone is making their own fabric postcard which will be sewn together into a wall display.  

We've enjoyed reminiscing about the seaside, trips abroad, ice cream, sunbathing and other stories from the past and from not so long ago.  Blackpool has been a popular choice. Marie and Pat are creating a postcard of their dream holiday to visit Memphis, Tennessee to see Graceland.  Ian is going to Corfu and will literally be there next week.  We are also "visiting" the Lake District, Spain and Paris.

     

Makefest 2016

This year we did a Gelli Plate print making workshop at Makefest.  Gelli plates are made of gelatin and squidgy to the touch. The unique surface of the plate allows for a very detailed monoprint to be achieved with out a press.  We used acrylic paints and a variety of tools to create patterns.

There was a good turn out.  The children and their parents enjoyed this messy project.

The exhibition is about life on an Allotment.  Many different artists worked on this project, visiting allotments in Bolton.  There are paintings, prints, sculptures, textiles and mixed media pieces to be seen.  I'll take more pictures of the other work this week.

Exhibition at Neo Galleries

Me and Susan Syddall have made a textile installation that is on display for the Allotted Exhibition at Neo Gallery in Bolton Market Place.

The exhibition is about life on an Allotment.  Many different artists worked on this project, visiting allotments in Bolton.  There are paintings, prints, sculptures, textiles and mixed media pieces to be seen.  I'll take more pictures of the other work this week.

Two new classes in July

Upcoming Classes

            

Introduction to Low Water Immersion Dyeing and Shibori techniques

Date:  July 6^th, 6-9 pm

Cost:  £27.50

This workshop is so much fun!  We will be learning how to use Procion Fibre Reactive dyes to create one-of-a-kind fabrics for your next sewing project.  We will also experiment with the Japanese method of dyeing cloth by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, and compressing fabric to create patterns.  All you need to bring is pre-washed 100% cotton white fabric or white t-shirts.  All other supplies will be provided for you.

Sewing Boot Camp: Beach bag or tote

July 9th, 1-4pm

Cost:  £27.50

Are you new to sewing?  This course is designed for you.  We will be starting from the very beginning.  You will learn how to use a sewing machine, read sewing patterns and other general advice about sewing and quilting.  At the end of the course, you will have a useful tote bag or beach bag made by YOU.

Incredible Edible in Bromley Cross

If you are free this Sunday, pop on over to the Incredible Edible festival.  

Latest News

We will soon be offering a range or courses at Breightmet Long Arm Quilting Studios.  A complete brochure is in the works which we will upload to our blog.  

We can also deliver workshops in sewing, surface design and quilting for groups of school pupils. Workshops can take place in school or at our studio and can be tailored to cover curriculum / project themes such as: the history of textiles; textiles in Bolton; contemporary textiles. Two hour sessions for school groups (up to 10) including materials £125.We can also co-ordinate visits to see local textile collections, such as: Bolton Museum and Gawthorpe Textiles Collection in Burnley.
Seasonal textile workshops

New Block of the Month Project

After months of hard work, we are nearly finished with our seaside BOM quilt.  I'll be posting pictures very soon.  So, what is next?

We've decided to make The Local by Carolyn Friedlander. I love her patterns and her fabrics.  If you are looking to buy some of her prints, I have some in my shop www.stitchmelane.com

This will be a good learning project for all skill levels.  It has a mix of traditional piecing, foundation piecing and applique.  If you would like to join us, please get in touch.

Deck the Halls Sewing Class and Kit

Come and join us for a Festive sewing class.  We’ll teach you everything you need to know to make a personalized Christmas stocking or Santa Clause Sack.  

Date and Time:            Dec 9^th 6:30-9:00pm

Location:                     Elderdale Community Centre, Breightmet, BL2 5JF.  The building can be hard to find.  It is across from Number 20 Yewdale Gardens. You can’t quite see the building from the road.  It is behind the row of bungalows.  We’ll have a sign up so you can find us.

Cost:                            £20

Supplies:                     You can either bring your own fabrics or buy one our kits at a 15% discount.  See supply list below.

Supply list for Santa Sack:             You will need .5 metres or outer fabric

                                                         .75 metres of lining fabric

        Fat quarter of the middle fabric

        Small amount of fabric for your letters

        One metre of pompom trim

        One metre of ribbon or cotton webbing

Supply list for Stocking:                 One fat quarter of outer fabric

                                                        One fat quarter of lining fabric

                                                        Cuff fabric (8 x 20 inches)

                                                        Small amount of fabric for your letters

                                                        ½ a metre of pompom trim

                                                        Button, bell and ribbon.

We’ll have lots of ribbon, trim and fabric for sale as well.  You can have a rummage through our buttons and bells box, so no need to buy them.

You can also just buy the kit or have us make one for you.  Kits are £15 for sack and £8.50 for stocking.  We'll make one for you for £25 or £17

MakeFest Update

Wow what a day!  Thank you to everyone who came by our stall at Makefest.  We were rushed off our feet.  A special 'thanks' to Adriana, Liz, Susan and Nichola for volunteering!  I could not have managed without you.  The event was amazing.  The only down side is that we didn't have time to look around the other booths!  Maybe next year.

We have over 200 hexagons made by people of all ages and in several different languages.  There are also pictures of puppy dogs and bunny rabbits which will also be used as part of the quilt design.  I'm playing around with them to design on a pattern, and am leaning towards flowers. The other side will have all of the "writings" on it.  Can't wait to read them.

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Women of Westhoughton last night.  They have made some for our project.  Thanks!

Museum of Science and Industry MakeFest 2015

This year we will be part of #MakeFest2015 at the Museum of Science and Industry.  We will be teaching people how to do traditional English Paper Piecing and making a community quilt.  Would you like to volunteer to help out on the stall?  Just get in touch.  Here's an overview of our project.

Here's a video link for paper piecing hexagons video

Quilting circles in a virtual world. 

 Overview

We’ll be promoting our new social enterprise, Breightmet Long Arm Quilting Studio, and working on a social media quilt project.  We’ll be teaching how to do English Paper Piecing (hexagons) and having people write a secret message on the underneath side of the paper which will be revealed when the quilt top is complete. The theme of this project is "comfort".  I’ve chosen this topic because quilts are comforting, something to snuggle up under when we are cold or ill or relaxing on a lazy Sunday morning. When the quilt is complete, and the paper is removed, I will tweet the positive messages daily and do regular Facebook and blog posts as the quilt progresses. People can join in the “virtual quilt-a-long” or visit our studios and work on the project with us.  I'll also use the text as my quilt design using on our long arm quilting machine.

Workshop

We will be teaching visitors how to make a quilt using traditional English Paper Piecing.  Visitors can make-and-take a small sample of patchwork with them which can be finished at home and can join in our virtual quilt project. 

People have been using this technique for centuries.  It is simple and effective. All ages are welcome and no experience is required.  It’s also good fun.

Sun Printing: Experiment One

I've been wanting to try this for ages: Sun Printing.  It's pretty straight forward, you paint over your fabric and place what ever objects you want to make an outline of on top, which blocks the sun from exposing the pigment.  First, I covered some cardboard with bin bags (need a water proof surface to put your fabric on) and chose some flower cuttings to print.

Here's my diy plates... easy peasy

 

 

Here's a couple of pictures with the plants scattered on the fabric..... I also wanted to try adding some text.  I used plain copy paper but I was too thin.  I think I need something that won't soak up the paint.

 

 

In the bottom picture, I have shifted the bleeding hearts to see if it was ready...  The areas with the most details were where the plants were pressed firmly against the cloth.   I'm pleased with the results but will alter the way I use the plants in the future.  Here are some close up pictures.  The whitest areas are where the plants were flat.

 

Will be doing some more of these in the future, weather permitting...LOL

 

Block of the Month Update

We've been busy making new blocks for our sea side quilt-a-long.  I'm planning to scan in the applique templates so you can join in.  Here are our last two blocks:

Light house

Beach Huts

Allotment Textile Art Collaboration with Susan Syddall

I spent yesterday with textile artist Susan Syddall experimenting with new image making techniques and fabric dyeing as part of a brainstorming exercise for an upcoming exhibition: Allotment.  The project is a mixture of independent and community art work.  We will be visiting various allotments in Bolton to collect stories about planting, growing, brewing up and all things in between.  It will also be an opportunity for our studios to get involved in the project and try something new.

We had a go dyeing fabric with eucalyptus bark...

 

And image transfer on to fabric....

 

But we spent most of our time brainstorming and eating biscuits.