Textiles Retreat

The retreat

Your time at the Manor

Day by day

• Skill level All levels welcome

In this workshop students, with a subject matter in mind, will be introduced to the idea of working directly with the fabrics they have selected which are both suitable for the idea they have in mind, and importantly, complimentary to each other.

This approach, rather than working from drawn or painted studies allows for a wonderful directness and freedom. It allows for complete accuracy of intent in both colour and texture. It also allows for the composition to evolve though many stages, which, although they remain unrecorded will have allowed the idea to evolve and change, sometimes quite dramatically!

What you’ll do
This spontaneous development makes the work exciting to the very last minute, as at all stages the construction and the composition go hand in hand down to the very last stitch or added object. At the beginning of the day Janet will demonstrate, using examples of work in progress, the ways in which an idea can be developed. She will also demonstrate the simple hand sewing techniques to be used at all stages.

Each student will be given individual help throughout the workshop the emphasis being on developing their own ideas. Suggestions of simple ideas for a first piece will be offered to those who appreciate a more structured approach at this early stage.

At sometime during the workshop Janet will discuss ways of presenting and framing the works. The workshop will end with a group appraisal, which allows each student, if they wish, to talk about the way in which their particular piece has developed and to see the work of others