You are browsing the The Weave Shed archives for April, 2014



Exhibitions & Symposium: Z- Twist

final Pink cabbage exhibition postcardLOW RESZ–Twist is a new Arts Council funded programme for Somerset Art Works (SAW) and Stroud International Textiles (SIT). Z – Twist has brought together artists, designers, textile producers, educators and curators to raise the profile of high quality textiles in Somerset and the south west – past, present and future.

Since January 2014 three contemporary designer/makers; Lucy Lean, Penny Wheeler and Debbie Smyth have been undertaking a residency to enable them to develop a new body of work with support from textile manufacturers; John Boyd Textiles, Fox Brothers & Co Ltd and WSP Textiles, local heritage collections with resident hosts Somerset College and Stroud International Textiles (SIT).

There are two opportunities to see the results of the residencies, which promises to be inspiring and a fascinating insight from three highly skilled artists who have explored and researched to create a final body of work.

Exhibition: Pink Cabbage Gallery.
1 Middle Street, Stroud, England GL5 1DZ. 31st May – 13th June 2014.
Opening and meet the artist talks from 11am on 31st May.
Open: Wednesday to Friday

Times: 11am -5pm , Saturday 10am -5pm
Details: sawztwist.wordpress.com
Telephone: 01458253800
Email: info@somersetartworks.org.uk.
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Courses: Tapestry weaving

Caron PenneyIntroduction to Tapestry Weaving
Tutor: Caron Penney

Fashion and Textiles Museum,
83 Bermondsey St,
London SE1 3XF
Tel: 020 7407 8664
Dates: 3rd – 4th July 2014,
Times: 11.00am – 4pm each day, this workshop requires a minimum of five students to run.

In this two day workshop students will learn the basic weave techniques used to create a tapestry, these include plain weave, soft diagonals, hatching, blending and shaping. The course will start with a demonstration of the warping-up process and participants will get experience of this process before starting to weave. By the end of the workshop participants will take home a completed tapestry sample.

There will be group tuition and demonstrations during the two day workshop which is suitable for beginners – intermediate levels.
The workshop costs £160.

To discuss the course content please contact the tutor at caron.penney@btinterent.com
To book a place,  telephone 020 7407 8664 or contact the Fashion and Textile Museum

Explore Tapestry Weaving
Tutor: Caron Penney

West Dean College,
West Dean,
Chichester,
West Sussex,
PO18 0QZ
Tel: 01243 811301
Dates: 9th – 15th August 2014, this workshop requires a minimum number of students to run.

This workshop is designed to elp complete beginners, intermediate weavers and returning students to develop a clear understanding of the basic structure and materials of tapestry. Introductory techniques will be covered initially; they include shaping and shading.

More complex techniques can be considered during the workshop they include, interpretative skills, circles, using supplementary warps, or making textured tapestry.

An illustrated talk will cover other weavers’ work and reference material will be available throughout the workshop. There will also be a visit to the West Dean Tapestry Studio during the course.

The workshop costs £623 (5% online discount).

To discuss the course content please contact the tutor at caron.penney@btinternet.com
To book a place telephone 01243 811301 or contact West Dean College

To view the course details please visit this link

Bonnie Kirkwood Ltd: Freelance woven textile designer required

Bonnie Kirkwood, Textile Designer photographed in her room, LondBonnie Kirkwood Ltd (MA RCA) based at Cockpit Arts Studios in Central London, is looking for a freelance woven textile designer,  MA student or MA graduate.

The applicant must be a creative and enthusiastic individual, initially flexible with their time and be available during specific contracts and busy periods. Working closely with Bonnie Kirkwood the applicant will gain invaluable knowledge, by working on varying projects designing high end fabric collections for international fabric mills.

Responsibilities will include using cad programmes to present design concepts, weaving seasonal sample collections by hand, warp and loom set up and general admin. This role could potentially lead to a more regular position for the right person.

Skills required:  confident weaving knowledge and experience on a 24 shaft ARM loom, warp winding and loom set up,  excellent colour skills and weave structure knowledge,  confident Photoshop and Illustrator design skills for weave and print designing (and have access to use photoshop / illustrator programmes). Additionally research trend and fabric qualities, excellent time management, reliability and organisational skills are essential and an ability to work independently in a confident manner.

Salary – day rate: to be discussed
For further details or questions please contact Bonnie Kirkwood at bonnie@bonniekirkwood.com . Tel: 07813666907.

Award application: The Peter Collingwood Trust 2014

pct_2014

Fiorete Group : The magic fabric

Fiorete logoFiorete began its production in 1934 at Como, Italy specialising in the production of interior decorative fabrics, using the natural fibres of the time such as silk and cotton. By 1950 they were the first company to use synthetic fibres. At Fiorete, they have been constantly innovating and investing in R&D and in their production system.

Fiorete have created a system of refined domotics which include a yarn warehouse that is fully automatised and bidirectional connections between the weaving plants and management system. They feel they are a leading company in quality innovation gaining the Seri.co certification and OEKO-TEX.

Fiorete fabrics has been used in well known projects, by leading designers and architects in and around the world such as; Aria Sky Suites by Peter Marino, Las Vegas, The Burj Khalifa Armani Hotel, Dubai and the Nhow Hotel by Karim Rashid, Berlin.

With this spirit of constant innovation, search for new development and after three years of intensive studies, Fiorete have developed a new technology which allows weaving and integrating optical fibers on jacquard looms.
Fiorete Magic Sofa 2low resFiorete Magic Sofa 1low res

The optical fibre is a thin strand of glass or synthetic cable that carry light from one end to the other, without light in its length. The optical fibre filters out ultraviolet rays and infrared, does not transmit heat thus it is inflammable and can be immersed in liquid, making it one of the safest materials to use. It is compact, fan-less, has high light output, multicolour illuminators that requires almost no maintenance and is extremely energy efficient.

Its versatility makes it today, the most suitable alternative lighting systems where until recently was not possible to achieve better results in the desired colour definition that can be used for a multitude of lighting applications in home decoration and interior architectures. Due to these features it is now used in various sectors such as exhibitions, various types of industries, the arts and crafts, museums and scenography just to name a few.

The starting point for Fiorete was the vision to explore all the possibilities given by this new generation yarn such as the optical fibre, normally used in other fields and industries and to find an application to the industrial textile world. They were very excited in to be able to control light while giving radiance to our fabrics. In other words bringing “life” into fabrics.
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Exhibition: By the Banks of The River Lea

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetOver the Autumn of 2013 weaver Ali Holloway walked the length of the River Lea from its source in Bedfordshire to where it eventually joins the River Thames at Limehouse.

Prompted by the experience of this solitary walk she has used the medium of woven cloth to recall the colours, textures, moods and rhythm of the walk.

Following the River Lea walk in roughly 8 mile sections she documented her experience as she went, with photographs, drawings and a blog. This inspiration has been transformed into a collection of hand dyed and hand woven pieces which are often sculptural, collaged and hand stitched.
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