Stitchery Stories

Adam Pritchett: Intricate Insects & Antique Frames

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, embroidery artist Adam Pritchett shares his intricate embroidered spiders and pieces inspired by antique frames, antiquarian themes... and a sprinkling of magic and creepiness!

Listen as Adam shares his relatively recent embroidery journey through his inspirations and techniques. And of course, he gets a Gold Star for being our first male embroidery artist on Stitchery Stories.

Susan Weeks chats with Adam about:

• Loving Instagram for getting discovered and connecting with other artists
• Using antique frames to inspire textile art
• After an unplanned Fine Art degree, developing an interest in embroidery
• Teaching himself embroidery via YouTube and old books
• Being inspired by nature and books
• Using versatile woollen fabric and recycled velvet as a contrast to the insects and spooky subjects
• Building up textures with knots and beads
• Opportunities to exhibit with the Light Grey Art Lab in Minneapolis, USA
• Appearing on Kirsty Allsop's Handmade Christmas TV programme
• Being featured on Martha Stewart's Blog
• What do Adam's mates think to all these embroidery antics?
• Virtual communities making it easier to share our work and inspirations
• Spiders in the coffee shop?
• Collaboration with fashion designer Hogan McLaughlin

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at https://www.stitcherystories.com/adampritchett

Visit: www.apritchett.co.uk

Like: https://www.facebook.com/adampritchettneedleworks

Look: https://www.instagram.com/ajpritchett

Tweet: https://www.twitter.com/aj_pritchett

Read: https://www.marthastewart.com/1522303/adam-pritchett-stitchtober-needlework-series

Other places & people mentioned:

Light Grey Arts Lab, Minneapolis, USA

http://lightgreyartlab.com/

Hogan McLaughlin

http://hogan-mclaughlin.com/

Jane Sanders: Textile Portraits Of Iconic Pop Stars

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Jane Sanders shares her vibrant and exciting textile portraits of very iconic pop stars. The stars Jane chooses for her portraits are famous across a range of genres, eras and styles, so there is always something fresh about her work. And even if you don't like all of their music - you will love the artistry and stitching that Jane creates... in her kitchen!

Listen as Jane shares her inspirations, techniques, and how everything always comes in useful eventually.

Susan Weeks chats with Jane about:

• Instagram is brilliant for textile artists and growing our audience
• Textile art as a legitimate art form
• Rock n roll applique!
• Adding features to make portraits realistic
• Keeping a tin of glass eyes in the kitchen
• Learning handicrafts as a child and developing those skills into 'something else' that can be viewed on a gallery wall
• What to do with wadding and black enamel spray paint
• Using stuff lying about the house and collecting more
• Working towards her latest exhibition
• Seeing 41 pieces of her work all together at her exhibition at Arts Centre Washington in late 2017
• Making the most of our time
• What happened to Iggy Pop?
• Would you like a scorpion as a free gift?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at https://www.stitcherystories.com/janesanders

Like: https://www.facebook.com/stitchininthekitchen73/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/stitchin_in_the_kitchen

Read: https://www.mrxstitch.com/jane-sanders/

Email: [email protected]

Other places mentioned: Arts Centre Washington http://www.artscentrewashington.co.uk/

The People's Theatre, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne https://www.peoplestheatre.co.uk/

Ann Small: Layered Cloth and Quirky Characters

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Ann Small shares her techniques, inspiration and current excitement. Describing herself as a typical Pisces swimming in opposite directions...

Ann does indeed have 2 very different aspects to her work and creativity. There are her colourful reverse applique based, large hangings which she describes as her serious textile art work. Then there are her very individual character dolls which she makes to look very old. These are her 'fun' outlets for her creativity.

Listen as Ann explains how the serious and the fun aspects of her work have evolved.

Susan Weeks chats with Ann about:

• Being taken over by making character dolls
• Using bones to make other characters
• Always making something in a creative household
• From sparkly tap dance costumes for daughters into a fancy dress costume business
• From book idea to book publication
• Fancy dress to historical costume and workshops
• Does anyone love the M25?
• Inspirations all around including the patterns on your cat!
• Reverse applique as a strong foundation to 'serious work'
• Fun vs serious work
• The story of Mowgli's toys
• Being visible so prospective buyers find your art
• When art goes up in flames
• Planning for exhibitions
• Planning how to hang your exhibition space at large shows
• Winged cats... wings off, wings on.. what's next?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/annsmall

Visit: http://www.asmalldesign.co.uk

Look: https://www.instagram.com/asmalldesign

Read: Layered Cloth published by Search Press

Anne Brooke: From Sketchbooks To Mixed Media Stitched Collage

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Anne Brooke shares her techniques and inspiration behind her stitched multimedia collages.

A key feature of her work is to stitch onto paper, although she is now venturing into using fabrics, particularly vintage embroidered pieces. Her work is inspired by journeys - her walks and travels, as well as the life journeys undertaken by the vintage fabrics she uses and the work when it leaves her hands.

She is also a master 'juggler' - she still works 4 days a week as an art teacher at her local secondary school, as well as developing her practice, making pieces for sale and leading workshops too. Phew!

Susan Weeks chats ( and laughs) with Anne about:

• New excitement around using vintage fabrics & making woodcut blocks
• Developing a serious workshop habit whilst trying to find her 'thing'
• Her fortuitous start to creating her textile art career
• The importance of 'just playing' to develop skills and ideas
• Pinterest... and losing hours of your life!
• Going on walks, taking photos, reflecting on journeys
• Anne's sketchbook habit, and how she uses them
• Hint: take your sketchbooks to workshops with you!
• Hand dyeing threads
• Where is Harold going next we wonder?
• UFO's, PHD's and PIGS
• The joy of spending 'crafty' time with her teenage daughters

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/annebrooke

Visit: http://www.annebrooke.co.uk/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/hannemade

Look: https://www.instagram.com/hannemadebyanne

Tweet: https://twitter.com/hannemade

Annie Taylor: Telling Stories With Large Soft Sculptures

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Annie Taylor shares her wonderful stories around the stories she creates and tells with her textile art.

A key outlet for her creativity and artwork are her rather large soft sculptures. The word 'doll' just doesn't seem right when you see how large they are... Big Alice, for example is 16 foot tall! These evolve from recycled bedding, their personality takes shape as their faces and limbs take shape. They are then embroidered with text telling their story. They are however, taking over Annie's house...

Susan Weeks chats ( and laughs) with Annie about:

• Continuing a family habit of recycling and creativity
• How her fairytale drawings and art sparked the creation of the dolls
• Creating large soft sculptures out of recycled duvets, pillows and bedding
• The 'wake up call' of having RSI in her hands
• Telling the stories of the dolls on their bodies and letting ideas evolve
• Nostalgia and 'crinoline ladies'
• Developing techniques for the lettering that is such a key element of her work
• Lessons learned at the Post Office
• Whatever is going to happen to 'Martha'?
• Where to store all those arms and legs
• What to do with 'that anchor'
• Gardening, bindweed and sycamore seedlings

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/annietaylor

Visit: https://whitstabletail.wordpress.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/whitstable.tail/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/whitstabletail/?hl=en

Tweet: https://twitter.com/whitstabletail

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WhitstableTails?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Other places and people mentioned today:

"Sheela Na Gig" by PJ Harvey https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pjharvey/sheelanagig.html

Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole by Martha Wainwright

from Lyrics.com Martha Wainwright Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole

Profanity Embroidery Group: Huge Fun Creating Beautiful Art From Ugly Words

Before I introduce this very entertaining episode please note there is no swearing in this episode despite the title of the group and episode. Please listen - this is a lovely story.

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Annie Taylor & Bridget Carpenter share their hilarious stories around their 'rather different' embroidery group - yes, it's the Profanity Embroidery Group. Formed by accident in 2014, and meeting in the local pub, this group has huge fun. They create and exhibit beautiful textile art and embroidery based around profanity, as well as some feminist issues. Their current project however, features anonymous Stitched Secrets that have been sent in from around the world. Some funny, some shocking, some very moving.

Susan Weeks chats with Annie & Bridget about:

• How a funny cartoon inspired the creation of an interesting embroidery group
• The evolution of The Profane Quilt and the sense of humour in the group
• How the group decide what projects to work on next
• Interpreting those traditional 'saucy' seaside postcards
• "Older Women Rock" - interpreting poems by Leah Thorne on vintage clothing and developing body confidence
• The Stitched Secrets project extended participation outside Whitstable across the world via Facebook & Instagram
• Anonymous stitchers from around the world have stitched secrets and sent them in
• The group hopes that the secret stitchers have had therapeutic value from taking part
• Humour is a powerful medium to deal with serious and emotional issues
• Men have sent in stitched secrets too
• Why should men miss out on opportunities to enjoy fun,therapeutic and creative activities such as these women are enjoying
• It is all HUGE FUN!

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/profanityembroiderygroup

Visit: https://lovesecretsand.wordpress.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/profanityembroiderygroup/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/lovesecretsand

Other places and people mentioned today:

The Fabric Shop, Whitstable http://www.thefabricshopwhitstable.co.uk/

The FishSlab Gallery, Whitstable https://fishslabgallery.co.uk/

Older Women Rock - Leah Thorn https://loveolderwomenrock.wordpress.com/about/ http://www.leahthorn.com/

Jan Dowson: Award-Winning Textile Art Tutor & Textile Artist

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Jan Dowson shares her joy of teaching textile art over 20 years and in the process facilitating 8 students who achieved City & Guilds Gold Medals. Jan has also received a City & Guilds Gold Medal for teaching as well as 2 other prestigious awards. Following retirement, it's now 'her time' to focus on her own textile art and enjoy her own creativity.

Susan Weeks chats with Jan about:

• A busy exhibition schedule at the start of 2018
• Creating a very successful career in textile art tuition
• Expressing challenging subjects in textile art
• Her ongoing inspiration from a wide variety of sources, including family members and memories, dog walks, and the nearby sea.
• Loving simplistic applique and slow hand stitch, darned, covered surfaces
• Using felt, wire and lots of paint to transform fabric into 'something else'
• Facilitating 8 City & Guilds Gold Medals awarded to her students over the years.
• Winning her own City & Guilds Gold Medal for teaching
• An additional award from the Worshipful Company Of Broderers
• Why Jan loves to polish her work room sink....
• Winning the Embroiderers Guild Beryl Dean Award for Teaching Excellence in Embroidery & Design in 2015
• If you don't like your piece... cut it up or throw paint on it!
• Taxidermy - is this the latest challenge for Jan?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/jandowson

Like: https://www.facebook.com/Jan-Dowson-Textile-ArtistTeacher-2036710249894135/

Pin: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ddowson1/

Deborah Mullins: Embroidery Artist Inspired By Palestine

Today on the Stitchery Stories embroidery podcast, Deborah Mullins shares her passion for Palestine. The beautiful traditional embroidery and the places and people - as well as a deep sadness at the cleansing, displacement & social injustice experienced within that land.

Susan chats with Deborah about:

• Kickstarting a passion for embroidery after many years of other creative pursuits
• Being inspired by 3 months in Palestine - the traditional embroidery but also the places and the tragic tales of displacement and injustice
• Playing with colour and hand stitched textures
• Bethlehem Couching & traditional Palestinian embroidery
• The 'Key Of Return' - a symbol of memory and longing to return
• Winning the Gold Medal for Creative Textiles from City & Guilds
• Meeting Princes Anne at St. James's Palace to receive an award from The Worshipful Company Of Haberdashers
• A special visit to the British Museum stores to handle and study items of Palestinian costume
• Why election results programs are so helpful...
• Deborah's exhibition 6-10 June 2018 at The Old School Room, Haworth

For this episode...

View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/deborahmullins

Visit: http://www.deborahmullins.uk/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010993620362

Jamie Malden: Block Printing Specialist & Founder of Colouricious.com

Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Jamie Malden from Colouricious.com shares her enthusiasm, knowledge and great joy of block printing.

Susan chats with Jamie about:

• Developing an interest in block printing in Jaipur
• The design & making process for Colouricious wooden printing blocks
• Supporting the traditional wooden block hand carving skills by employing carpenters around Jaipur, India to hand carve the wooden blocks
• The pleasure in supporting families and traditional skills through wooden block carving
• Preparing new 'Printology' workshops
• The power of video and YouTube for sharing creativity, and skills development
• The power of video, audio and the internet to reach your target audience
• The pleasure created by seeing other people's creative creations using Colouricious blocks, tuition and inspiration
• The diversity of what can be done with block printing
• The endless possibilities of other cultures and creative techniques
• The unique experience of a Colouricious textile holiday.
• The excitement of seeing painted elephants & cows in real life!

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs at http://www.stitcherystories.com/jamiemalden

Visit: http://colouricious.com

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/user/Colouricious

Travel: https://www.instagram.com/colouriciousholidays/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/Colouricious

Lindy Richardson: Historic Embroidery Conservation & Community Inspiration ss019

Today on the Stitchery Stories embroidery podcast, Lindy Richardson shares her current research project. She chats with Susan Weeks about the collection of historic embroidery held by Edinburgh College of Art which was originally part of the Needlework Development Scheme.

The NDS was founded in Scotland in 1934, sponsored by J and P Coats, the thread manufacturers. Its aim was to encourage embroidery and up until it was disbanded in 1961, well over 3000 items of historic embroidery from across the world had been amassed.

70 items held by Edinburgh College Of Art form the focus of a project which has seen study and conservation of the items. The project has involved diverse community groups, assisting with conservation as well as inspiring them to create their own Embroidered Stories. This is an uplifting project.

Susan chats with Lindy about:

• The history of the collection of the Needlework Development Scheme (NDS)
• Discovering 70 pieces from the collection tucked away in cupboards
• The current project focused on the collection
• Taking the project to the Scottish Prison Service
• Involving immigrants & refugees
• Expert amateurs from local 'Guilds'
• Studying and conserving the collection
• The therapeutic benefits of doing embroidery within the daily routine of prison life
• Creating the 'Embroidered Stories' pieces and creating an exhibition around them
• Integrating the different groups through the project
• Inspiring newcomers to design and create their own embroidery
• The challenges of handling & restoring historic embroidery
• The challenges of getting project 'stuff' into prison!
• Keeping the collection true to it's origins as a handling collection

If you have been involved with the Needlework Development Scheme over the years in any capacity, or know someone who has, then Lindy would love to talk to you. Please contact her!

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Photographs of the project at http://www.stitcherystories.com/lindyrichardson

Visit: http://embroideredstories.eca.ed.ac.uk (after 10Dec2017)

Read: http://edin.ac/embroideredstories

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/embroiderednds https://www.instagram.com/ecatextilesdepartment

Contact Lindy:

Lindy Richardson

Programme Director Textiles

Edinburgh College of Art

University of Edinburgh, EH3 9DF

0131 651 5812

[email protected]