Children's Textile Activities at the Festival of Textiles

During half term week there was an opportunity for families to get involved in drop in sessions called "Fun with Fabrics". Among the activities on offer were Fabric printing, using a sewing machine to make a small draw string bag, making rubbings from natural objects onto fabric which were made into cards and making sheep using wrapping techniques with sheep's fleece.
The activities room was buzzing with excitement and full of laughter and happy faces. the children left proudly with there creations.

Children's Textile Competition

We invited local schools to get involved with the Festival of Textiles, their challenge was to produce a 10 cm  x 10 cm peice of Textile Art based on the theme of Farming. Enties included Weaving, Felting, Stitching and Collage. The entries were all exhibited as part of the Festival and the winners were awarded certificates, and a package of textile materials for their schools, to inspire further creative work.
WINNER Yasmin from Soham Village College
Second Eliza from Linton Heights Junior School
Third Eve from Downham Feoffees Primary School
I think they are fabulous! What do you think?

Festival of textiles at the Farmland Museum at Denny Abbey

The Festival of textiles has been a great success, We showed a wide range of textile skills and the artistic interpretations were amazing, some worked so well in their locations that they looked as if they were an integral part of the Museum. There were lots of visitors, lots of positive comments!

Setting up at Denny Abbey

Some good fun and challenges setting up this wonderful exhibition. Difficulties because of the fragile nature of the Abbey walls and beams; and HOW to hang items in the stone barn?! 

Thankfully there were some knights in shining armour who were at home on these tall ladders. 

I was only there to help on Wednesday but the exhibition committee has worked long hours for us all and we should be very thankful to them all!!! 

ERTF - Textile Festival at Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey - May 2015

The ERTF Textile Festival at Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, Cambridgeshire continues until the end of the month so there is still time to visit.

There is work inside and out, responding to the museum buildings and its grounds

Sunday 24 May - Meet the makers or have a guided tour of the exhibition
Monday 25 May - Meet the makers or have a guided tour of the exhibition

The bank holiday weekend (Monday only) also sees the pop-up Cornucopia Shop selling unique items of textile works, plus there is a Forties at Denny event on 24/25 May.

Wednesday 27 May - Drop in activities for children
Thursday 28 May - Drop in activities for children

Saturday 30 May - Workshop - Designing for textiles.  To book - info@farmlandmuseum.org.uk


Sunday 31 May - Meet the makers, guided tour of the exhibition and drop in activities.

For more information - Click HERE for a link to the museum website

ERTF members - events

ERTF members are being invited to two events later in the summer.

On 18 July a visit to Docwra's Manor Garden, Roydon and on 12 September a visit to the World Textile Day East at Thetford in Norfolk.

Visit the ERTF website members area for more details and how to book.

I am also attaching an image I have received of lacework by ERTF member Pat Brunsdon, currently on display at the Textile Festival at Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum, Cambridge - the ERTF exhibition continues until the end of this month.

On Sunday and Monday (24 and 25 May) there will be a meet the makers day, and children's workshops during the half term holiday.  See the Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum website for more details.

Gateway - lace exhibition at Forge Mill Needle Museum - 2nd May to 2nd June 2015

Some ERTF members are also members of the '98 Lace Group, an international fellowship of lacemakers.  They are exhibiting at the Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, Redditch for the month of May.

The museum itself is well worth a visit, and gives a fascinating insight into how such a tiny instrument (the needle) is made.  It is a complicated process which, although modernised and much safer nowadays, has not been changed over many centuries.