Instagram

I have come to the end of the FDA at Bradford College and am about to embark on the course to top it up to a BA in Textiles Practice. Reflecting on what I have learned and can take forward I looked through all my sketchbooks from the last 4 years. He
This New artwork by @esdevlin with @refugees Article in @guardian https://www.theguardian.com/stage/article/2024/sep/09/artist-es-devlin-exhibition-refugee-portraits-congregation-london-ekow-eshun #saferoutesforefugees
Take one material .... To fold To cut Channeling @theartofthefold #triangularbook #handmadebookbinding #summerproject @bradfordtextiles #takeonematerial #richardserraverblist #newspaperart
Back to basics with a simple quilt-as-you-go log cabin, pieced straight on to batting and a crumb pieced backing. Simple stuff for when creativity is at a low ebb but I need to stitch something. #logcabin #scrappyquilt #crumbpiecing #imintheguild #q
Take one material .... To layer To stitch To cut Channeling @asmalldesign #layeredcloth #batextilespractice #summerproject @bradfordtextiles #takeonematerial #richardserraverblist #newspaperart
Take one material .... To layer To excavate #batextilespractice #summerproject @bradfordtextiles #takeonematerial #richardserraverblist #newspaperart #newspaperart
A visit yesterday to @talbotricegallery in Edinburgh to the exhibition of the amazing work of El Anatsui. Monumental 'cloths' constructed from metal or wood. I asked whether he supervised the installation, thinking about the folds int he fabric. I w
Thanks to @larkandbower for a great afternoon workshop, lots of ideas for yarn wrapping.
Recovered from Festival of Quilts, which was brilliant but exhausting. So beginning to feel creative again and get back to the Summer Project Take one material .... To layer #batextilespractice #summerproject @bradfordtextiles #takeonematerial #richa
Early morning photo of my booth before the crowds at Festival of Quilts. I have had great conversations today with so many people, it has been a privilege to exhibit here. A special shout out to @sculptureofstitch, thank you for such encouragement,
Masks and Scrubs

Masks and Scrubs

Mary Whitehouse
Online communities
IMG_2093.jpg

I am not a dressmaker, I have made three dresses from the same pattern, with lots of support in adapting the pattern to fit my shape (is anyone exactly the shape assumed by pattern designers every time they open a packet?). However I never made them as well as I would have liked and hate looking at myself in a mirror to check the fit. I would much prefer to be making quilts, pouches, almost anything else …..

So when quilters around me started making scrubs and masks I didn’t immediately take up the baton. However it became clear that there would come a time when face coverings would be a good idea - if I want other folk to wear them to protect me then I need to wear one to protect them. Throughout this pandemic my sister in Italy has led the way - reminding us to stay home long before our government caught on to the idea. And she made masks, saying that they would be needed. Other countries too were asking their citizens to cover their mouths and noses when out in busy places where it isn’t always possible to stand 2m apart.

IMG_8189.jpg

So while browsing the lovely fabrics on the Oakshotts website I found this pattern by @piecefully_pam, who is herself a quilter and nurse. So the time had come. I used upcycled fabric from a men’s shirt and a t-shirt for the prototype, and for the innards of them all but chose suitable cotton prints for the outer layers for the rest of the family. (I knew those fun fabrics would come in handy one day, but didn't think it would be for this.)

IMG_8613.jpg

By now the NHS was crying out for PPE and for more scrubs - cotton tops and trousers that are easily washed and that have to be changed frequently during the working day. The York Scrubs project was initiated by Dr Rebecca Brown, a York-based GP, working with Sarah Ashton, an experienced seamstress and owner of Thimbelina of York. Hoping my dress-making skills were good enough I signed up, being fairly sure that as the project was led by a GP, and she was working with the local hospital, it would be a worthwhile activity. I was delighted to discover that I didn’t have to cut out the fabric; bundles of fabric are delivered, ready cut. The pattern is supplied by Sew Different and is available free online, with instructions and links to some YouTube videos for extra tips. So far I have made 7 sets plus a quilt square for a community blanket which will include squares from all the makers. (The rainbow log cabin is my new cheer-up quilt block.)

There haven’t been many good things to come out of the Covid19 pandemic, but there are many stories of local good deeds, and we can only hope that we remember how good it is to talk to our neighbours, keep in touch with folk and this feeling of being part of a community continues in some way.

Community stitching

Community stitching
Japan

Japan