MARCH - workshops

This month's workshops focus on different hand sewing methods. I'm really excited about this month's activities as we are introducing some new classes and textile teachers to Fabrications fold!
Starting with this Sunday 4th March, Katherine May fresh from her popular classes at the V+ A this week is running a quilting class. For those of you unfamiliar with the technique, quilting is the decorative sewing through of your patchwork fabric or whole cloth and wadding to create designs and texture. Katherine wanted to do a class that focuses on quilting as she found that it tended to get rushed at the end of her patchwork classes as students get engrossed in the patchwork part. She also wanted to highlight historical and contemporary examples and show the variety of applications for the technique.


On Saturday 17th March, local textile artist Jessie Chorley is running her full day special workshop 'embroidered memory books and pages'. Once you've booked on, Jessie will send you a materials list and encourages you to bring along special fabrics and mementos so you create something truly unique to you. Before you get going with learning the embroidery and applique methods that Jessie uses, she will talk about the inspiration behind her own narrative textile works and take you on a visit to her shop on nearby Columbia Road. The full day will give the space to really get into the making process.


On Sunday 18th March, Sarah Corbett will be running her Craftivism workshop - making mini protest banners. For regular followers of my blog, I have written about a number of Craftivist projects that Sarah has initiated. Sarah set up the Craftivist Collective and is seen as one of the leading spokespeople for the global craftivist movement. During the workshop she will talk about how the movement started and the benefits of using craft as a beautiful, non threatening and thought provoking method to activism. It will also be very creative and hands on, where you will learn how to interpret design and text into cross stitch or embroidery and create your very own mini protest banner, which hopefully you will want to hang out in the street after the workshop as other craftivists do!

On Sunday 25th March, I will be running an introduction to weaving workshop. During the class I explain how to create your 'warp' and 'weft' looking at colour, design and material choices. I will show 3 different weaving techniques - flat board weaving, a technique I developed for my woven upcycled inner tubes, 'tube matting and cushions'. Peg loom weaving on wool-n-dance peg looms. Both these methods are very low tech and a quick method to create fabric. Then there will be opportunity to have a go on my antique foot peddled loom. - a slower process but more intricate. You will create a series of samples to take away.

We are on the move.......

Come and wave us goodbye this Saturday as we embark on an exciting journey of renovation and rejuvenation here at Fabrications. On Monday building works commence to create an extension (Or 'Imaginerium') on the back of the shop. It's been 3 years in the planning, and I am excited that the show is on the road - a new Eco classroom space for even more workshops, events and collaborations.

I've moved out my workshop downstairs, which has become spacious echoing chambers now all my stuff is out!

Getting my floor peddled loom out was a challenge! We had to take off the legs and then we walked it out of the building. It has now been re assembled and installed into Fabrications temporary new home at 16 Broadway Market. We will be there for 4 months.

Katherine May has created a fantastic appliqued banner for us, which will go on display over our shop window, so you know where to find us during the build.
I will also be posting up the design and progress reports on the blog and Fabrications FB page, so please follow our news virtually!

* We would welcome any suggestions for what you'd like to experience in the new space, or perhaps you may have a workshop, event or exhibition you'd like to host.

* Any comments or feedback on what we've already done and how we could do it better would be much appreciated!

DOUBLE WEEKENDER workshops

For those you of not on holiday at the moment or perhaps spending your holiday in Hackney, I've planned some special double weekender activities!
Starting this weekend with a YARD SALE. Come and nosey around Fabrications back yard and make me an offer on more delights cleared out of Fabrications vaults! Including Belfast sinks, sheet perspex, wood, scaffolding + fittings, paint, DIY stuff and lots of other random items.

The idea of the double weekender workshops is to provide one technique per weekend. On the Saturday a quick taster session at our activity stall in Broadway Market's new extension in London Fields primasry school with a longer masterclass at Fabrications on the Sunday. Come along to one or both!

Saturday 28th + Sunday 29th August - 'Create a fabulous fascinator'

SATURDAY: Book in for 1hr teaching slots - 10 - 11am, 11.30 - 12.30pm, 1 - 2pm, 2.30 - 3.30pm *
In this session using a selection of vintage materials and haberdashery you will learn how to create a base and then decorate it from a choice of veiling, feathers, flowers and beading.
PRICE: £10 (includes one of my fascinator kits worth £10)

* There is a gazebo, tables and chairs. The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities. To ensure a space please book in advance, however if you are a spontaneous kind of person we will try and fit you in on the day if there's space!

SUNDAY: At Fabrications, 2 - 4.30pm
You will also learn how to create base but we will show some extra decoration techniques such as how to make feathery flowers from scarves and different bows.
PRICE: £20/£15 (includes one of my kits and tea + biscuits)

Saturday 4th + Sunday 5th September - 'WEAVE WORLD'

SATURDAY: Book in for 1hr teaching slots - 10 - 11am, 11.30 - 12.30pm, 1 - 2pm, 2.30 - 3.30pm *
In this session using a selection of upcycled materials you will learn how to warp up a simple bamboo frame loom and then how to weave your own unique piece of cloth.
PRICE: £10 (includes one of my weaving kits worth £10)

* There is a gazebo, tables and chairs. The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities. To ensure a space please book in advance, however if you are a spontaneous kind of person we will try and fit you in on the day if there's space!

SUNDAY: At Fabrications, 2 - 4.30pm
In the weave world masterclass I will show you a very simple but effective weaving technique I've developed from strips of old clothing, ribbons etc to create woven panels ideal for cushion fronts, quilting projects, accessories and more....
PRICE: £20/£15 (includes one of my kits and tea + biscuits)

Interwoven

Image taken by Penny Cliff of 'Immediate Theatre'

Meet the 'Good Companions Club' who get together every Tuesday afternoon at 'The Kabin', a muti functional community centre in the Kingsmead Estate, Homerton.

I had the pleasure of working with them on a collaborative project with dynamic duo Penny + Tony of Immediate Theatre and Eco Active (featured in my last post)

It was a very poetic, multi stranded project combining improvisational theatre, writing, weaving, upcycling and lots of cups of tea!
With Immediate Theatre the Good Companions had started to develop a series of characters for a new play. Several items of clothing were selected from the Kabin's thrift store which embodied the different characters personalities at different points in their lives.
Through the process of weaving strips of those garments together, the personalities were dissected further and their different relationships were explored and fused together in a large backdrop. This will be used in the play and is currently on display at the Kabin. I think the Good Companions did so well - I love it! And such a pleasure working with everyone.

Weaving a new beginning....

Last night I had the pleasure of witnessing Katherine Hayward receive her beautiful gift, woven together by her friends and colleagues at Eco Active. Katherine is the long standing inspirational education officer at Eco Active.

In a top secret plot...they had got together one evening and wove panels from strips of clothing (including the finance directors ties!!) The panels were then quietly brought down to Fabrications where myself and Katherine May transformed the samples into a baby quilt for Katherine's forthcoming new baby!

Eco Active were inspired by this simple upcycling weaving technique which I introduced as part of a project I collaborated on with Eco Active, Immediate Theatre and the Good Companions at the Kingsmead estate in Homerton earlier this year, which I will be reporting on in my next post.......

JAN + FEB workshops

All Workshops are at Fabrications on a Sunday afternoon,
2 - 4.30pm. Booking Required.
Price: £20 / £15 conc. includes a kit suitable for the session and tea + biscuits.

SPINNING + PEG LOOM WEAVING (Sunday 31st January)

Learn how to create your very own yarn from raw wool and a drop spindle. There will also be opportunity to have a go on a spinning wheel and try a bit of peg loom weaving
This special session will be run by Sue Russell

Sue Russell's aim is to pass on spinning, knitting, felting and weaving to people of all walks of life and abilities. She started to produce her GIANT knitting needles (available at Fabrications!) under the business name of 'Wool n Boat' over 10 years ago as a way of attracting younger people into knitting. She has subsequently run 100's of workshops and events including the 'Wool n Dance' at the Thames Festival in 2008.

Cross stitch and embroidery (Sunday 7th February)

Learn different decorative hand sewing stitches and create a beautiful stitched love token in time for Valentine's and give it to someone you care about in your life or yourself!
This session will take you from design to fruition. There will be a selection of inspirational motifs to work from or feel free to bring your own designs. Run by Fabrications' Barley Massey

BEGINNERS KNITTING (Sunday 14th February)

Learn the basics - how to cast on, Knit + Purl stitch, introducing a new colour and casting off. If you are an improver we can also show you combinations of knit + purl stitches
to create different textures. This session will be run by Fabrications' Barley Massey

CROCHET (Sunday 21st February)

A session for absolute beginners but also improvers. Crochet is a great 'free style' handicraft, an alternative or a means to enhance or join your knitting, Lovely 3d effects, lacey, flowery, borders...This session will be led by Rachael Matthews.

INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED KNITTING (Sunday 28th February)

This session is tailored to what YOU want to learn. Rachael Matthews fun approach can guide you through reading patterns, increasing + decreasing, colour work, cable, 3d shapes....
the decision is yours! But everyone benefits from each others requests too!

Rachael Matthews is an inspirational and experienced crafter. Founder member of the notorious 'Cast Off Knitting club for Boys + Girls', responsible for public knitting antics such as 'Knitting on the circle line' and the 'completely knitted wedding' at the Pump House gallery.
Author of 'Knitorama' and 'Hookerama' and winner of Jerwood contemporary makers prize in 2009.

Rethink Rubbish

We launched our new Rethink Rubbish craft kits at this year's Pulse show. With a growing interest in craft and sustainability they were well received.
Our aim is to pass on different craft techniques and show that you can create beautiful / interesting items out of waste. One person's rubbish is another's treasure! Through my own design practise and collecting of 'waste' from local business and textile recycling factories, I have become very aware of how much materials and clothes get thrown away on a daily basis.

There are currently 4 kits in the range, which have evolved from our tried and tested workshops. Each kit contains enough re used materials and basic equipment for each project / technique and are assembled at the Fabrications studio with a sprinkling of love + fun! The printing and packaging is also eco friendly

The sustainable gift wrapping kit combines the Japanese art of 'Furoshiki' with vintage head scarves and bows. The kit contains 3 different sized head scarves (washed + ironed!) 2 bows / rosettes (with safety pins on) and instructions. A stylish way of giving and re usable!

Make your own recycled rosette kit includes enough materials (strips of re used ties, head scarves, fabrics, ribbons, lace) to make 5 rosettes. There is also basic sewing stuff for embellishing your creation (needle + cotton, buttons, safety pins..) The instruction card shows 4 different methods of creating a rosette / corsage.

Knit your own Mp3 / phone case shows you how to create your own bag yarn out of old plastic bags. There are also how to knit instructions, a simple pattern, a set of knitting needles and enough pre prepared bag yarn for the project.

Learn to weave on a simple frame includes a DIY style frame (we hope it will inspire you to create different sized ones or your own) and a range of different re used materials to experiment with. The A5 instruction card shows you how to warp up the frame, weave on it and how to finish your weave. You could make a tapestry style picture or a piece of fabric (for a purse, a table mat? - up to your imagination!)

Thank you Jawa and Midwich for your help with the graphics and to James Champion for your wonderful product shots!

Rethink Rubbish are currently on sale at Fabrications, The Barbican art gallery, The Geffrye Museum, Junky Styling, Eco People.

WORKSHOPS - March, April + May

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT Come and join Barley Massey and Sue Russell at The Barbican on Saturday 7th March

11 - 12.30pm Make felt juggling balls

3 - 4.30pm Learn to weave on simple bamboo frames

£5 per workshop for further info and bookings visit www.barbican.org.uk/different

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Incase you missed Barley and Sue on the Saturday! Remember and celebrate women's achievements at The Old Town Hall, Stratford E15 4BQ on Sunday 8th March 2 - 6pm There will be lots of FREE activities.

We will be Creating rosettes, scarves, sashes in the colours of Green (Hope), White (Purity) + Violet (Dignity) These colours were also linked with the Suffrage movement (Give Women Vote)

WORKSHOPS AT FABRICATIONS: (£20 / £15 conc per session, includes a kit) * * BOOKING REQUIRED * *

BEGINNERS KNITTING

Sunday 15th + 29th March, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING

Sunday 5th April, 2 - 4.30pm

This classes led by Rachael Matthews is tailored to what YOU want to learn! She will also incorporate info on how to read knitting patterns, shaping, increasing + decreasing, creating your own patterns, textures, 3d knitting as well as general support, advice and tips. You will need to know the basics (casting on + off, Knit + pearl) in order to make the most of this session.

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 19th April, 2 - 4.30pm

Get started, refresh or improve your techniques. Learn to crochet in rows, circular or 3d objects. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael Matthews' straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started
and inspired.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 26th April, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

BIG KNITTING (intermediate+)
Sunday 3rd May, 2 - 4.30pm

Leave Fabrications with your very own designer accessory
(this could be a scarf or wrap - your choice!)
This creative session will be led by Barley Massey and focusses on working on GIANT knitting needles, GIANT french knitting stools
and yes GIANT circular needles.
There will be lots of interesting chunky yarns, tassles, corsage making tool etc to design and create with.

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING (best foot forward)
Sunday 10th May, 2 - 4.30pm

There has been a lot of interest expressed in learning to knit socks + gloves. If this interest is still around then this could be a special session that focusses on working on 4 needles to create leg warmers, socks,
gloves or other 3d knitted objects (with Rachael Matthews)

HAND EMBROIDERY, EMBELLISHING + CUSTOMISING
Sunday 17th May, 2 - 4.30pm

Learn simple hand sewing techniques, which can be used for repairs, alterations and decoratively. I am open to ideas for the session - I can demonstrate different embroidery stitches, cross stitching + tapestry, applique, sequining, cut work.
Applied to garments or making pictures and gifts.

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 24th May, 2 - 4.30pm

Get started, refresh or improve your techniques. Learn to crochet in rows, circular or 3d objects. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael Matthews' straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started
and inspired.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 31st May, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!