Saturday the 1st June I took myself off for the day to Bolton’s Festival of Stitch. A whole day of talking textiles and nobody to think about but myself. Bliss.
I caught up with lovely friend and very talented textile artist Catherine Hill. We were treated to a talk about her career, family, inspiration and influences for her work. She captured all our attention with stories of life in north west industrial England, her mother’s recipes and childhood memories. All of which are captured in Catherine’s red stitched pieces.



The first speaker was someone I’ve admired and wanted to meet for a long time, paper and stitch artist Jennifer Collier.
The first speaker was someone I’ve admired and wanted to meet for a long time, paper and stitch artist Jennifer Collier.
Every piece is made from recycled papers.
Jennifer also had us spellbound as she explained her work process and her ideas. Who knew that paper could be manipulated so beautifully. What a talent.
The third speaker was Diana Morrison. She works with dyes and machine stitch, layering up fabric to create exhibition pieces.
This collar was created in response to the antique textiles at Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire.
I booked myself on a printing workshop run by Wendy Roby at Stockport in August.
What we’ve been to see…….
I read the book quite some time ago and the follow up, The Wild Silence. This is a true story about a couple who lost everything they owned through no fault of their own. Following a diagnosis of a terminal illness Moth and his wife Ray take to walking the coastal path and we learn of their joy and pain along the way. I can strongly recommend it as a wonderful sensitive film that will touch your heart. I’m hoping they will make a sequel.
I’ll be back next week with stories of our day at the Vintage Home Show and Antiques Textile Fair in Manchester. For now though I’ve got to get my skates on as we are off to the National Portrait Gallery at Media City in Salford, for an immersive experience with some famous folk through time.
Linking up with Whats on your Workdesk Wednesday