FABRICATIONS

MARCH - workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:10:00 +0000

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.

Knitters go wild in Hackney!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:04:00 +0000

Our town hall square has been transformed overnight! On Saturday, I got the tip off in the shop that 'the woolly transformation' or 'yarn storm' would take place late on Sunday night. On Monday morning reporter Massey was at the scene! And what a beautiful and colourful scene it is! All 12 trees in Hackney's town hall square have been lovingly wrapped in knitted and crocheted patchwork covers, reminiscent of Freddie Robins tree cosies. I'm sure the trees are really happy with their new warm jackets! As are the passers by that I saw inspecting the trees, looking and smiling!

Richard puts his best foot forward

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:59:00 +0000

I've just received this photo in my inbox from Richard Walker, live and direct from India, who has been knitting these socks, using 4 ply King Cole merino blend, which he purchased from Fabrications before he left, combined with some 'man made at heels and toes' (source unknown!)
He informs me he may postpone the second sock and knit a little skull cap, the sun is so strong. Will Richard be hopping lots under that amazing blue sky, but at least his head will be protected.
I am so impressed with Richard's progress. He is one of Fabrications star pupils, having attending most of our classes here including our Beginners knitting class and Sue Russell's knitting socks class. Looking forward to seeing you on your return Richard! X

FEBRUARY workshops and events

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:46:00 +0000

We've got another action packed month of different classes, some have already passed as I'm updating my blog a bit late but this is what's on for the rest of the month. To keep up to date with the workshop and events programme, check into the website calender:

This Saturday (18th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Beginners Knitting with me! Learn or refresh on the basics and get started!
This Sunday (19th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Piecing Patchwork with Katherine May. This session focusses on pattern and design and starting your own project. Next month Katherine will be running another session which focusses on the quilting side of patchwork.

Saturday 25th Feb, 1 - 4pm: Mrs Bears Clothes swapping event. Bring up to 7 quality but unwanted items and raid the rails!! There will also be a vintage SALE rail, with hand picked goodies by Mrs Bear.

Sunday 26th Feb, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - simple sewing alterations with me! Another opportunity to go through your wardrobe or bring in items found at the clothes swap for simple alterations, re tailoring or re vamping. I will tailor the session according to what each participant wants to learn and the clothes they want to transform!

More next Month! Love BarleyX

Lets hijack valentines!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:03:00 +0000

A giant love letter has elegantly floated into Fabrications window this month in time for Valentines day. It is stopping passers by in their tracks, my favorite reaction was 2 small boys who stood, pointed and smiled lots. They ran off and brought back their parents to read it - brilliant! Keep recruiting boys!!

Originally created by Sarah Corbett (founder of the Craftivist Colective) for a public craftivism workshop during Tracy Emin's 'Love is what you want' show at the Hayward Gallery last summer. The letter and workshop urged participants to "show their love through action to their global neighbour struggling in this unjust world". Participants pledged different acts of love they would carry out locally or globally by writing down their action on a luggage label.
This giant letter has become a chain letter, having recently travelled back from independent bookshop's window 'News from Nowhere' window in Liverpool and now is at Fabrications urging passers by to stop, think and act!

It has also been a great display that promotes 2 special craftivism events, we are hosting here:

This Thursday 9th February, 6 - 9pm:
Open studio and 'Hijacking valentines preparation session'.
All are welcome to join the London craftivists in this fun and friendly session in creating valentine's cards and crafted gifts which will be left out in the street in various nooks and crannies to be found by unsuspecting members of the public, beautiful and gentle reminders to 'show some love'. You don't need to be in a relationship to receive one of these!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

During the evening you will also be able to meet Sarah Corbett, a real inspiration and a very friendly lady! She is running a
'mini protest banner making' workshop at Fabrications on
Sunday 19th March, 2 - 4.30pm which focuses on the history of craftivism, it's benefits and how it can create change through thought provoking, non threatening, crafty action. She will also be teaching practical skills in how to interpret text and design in cross stitch and embroidery to create slogans with impact. If you're interested in attending please contact us to book in!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

Don't Move Improve!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Straight from last night's private view at the Building Centre in Central London, here are Eric and Nicholai of Delvendahl Architects, in front of their design for Fabrications, which has been shorlisted for the 'Don't move, improve!' award organised by NLA (new London architecture) in assotiation with RIBA (Royal institute of British architecture) BIID (British institute of interior design) and Elle Decoration.
The exhibition (which continues until 28th March) showcases shortlisted schemes from this year’s ‘Don’t Move, Improve!’ competition, which invited architects and homeowners from across Greater London to submit their most innovative and well-designed home extension, interior design and small office conversion projects completed within the last three years. Well done Eric + Nicholai on being shorlisted!

JANUARY workshops and events

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:42:00 +0000

This year's workshops are now underway! It's so lovely to be able to offer a wider range of classes in a new fully equipped workroom. Last weekend we had a beginners crochet class facilitated by Ayda Anlagan on Saturday. On Sunday I ran a beginners knitting class. I've introduced a feedback form - these were some of the comments:
"The workshop space is amazing, really friendly and helpful teacher"
" Had a great time learning a new skill with a nice teacher and meeting new people. Can't wait to do another"
" The course was great. I really liked the individual attention and encouragement"

This is what else is on this month. For more information on each class please click through to the calender on the website. If you are interested in booking a place, contact Barley through e-mail or telephone or at the shop.

THURSDAY 19th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Basic book keeping
FRIDAY 20th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Setting up your own business
SATURDAY 21st January, 2 - 4.30pm: Taste of flat felt making
SUNDAY 22nd January, 2 - 4.30pm: KNIT LARGE!
SUNDAY 29th January, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - Darn it! Mend it! Customise it!

After the success of the first Mrs Bears clothes swap event, we've decided to do another this month on SATURDAY 28th January, 1 - 4pm. Go through your wardrobe and bring up to 7 unwanted yet quality items to exchange. Visit Mrs Bears website to find out how it all works.
This month ON THE MEZZANINE, Mrs Bear is introducing her Vintage SALE RAIL and Debs of Stitch in time alterations will also be on hand for a free consultation and promoting her service.
Keep an eye out for our 'Refresh your wardrobe' workshops, which we're running to compliment the swaps. Maybe there is something on the rails that doesn't quite fit or you'd like to learn how to alter the item or transform it in some way.

MRS BEAR says "Please try to come to the Swap early, to avoid queuing, the rails will already be full of clothing to swap, as I run a number of clothing swaps, so what's on the rails is constantly changing! Looking forward to seeing you!"

It's a NEW new year!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

Welcome to 2012! I am really looking forward to what this year will hold. This year is about nurturing the seeds I've sewn and enjoying the fruits of my labour. I've got lots of exciting news and developments up my sleeve, all will be revealed....In the meantime here are some beautiful photos of my new Imaginerium taken by Nick Holt.

Mezzanine level with balustrail warp wires at shop level

The basement area is now one big space where the old space meets the new

I love this shot taken from Bob Cooke's (Pie + Mash) roof. In order to achieve a light that doesn't bleach out the space as it shines out, Nicolai's (one half of DM Architects) son was turning the lights on and off! Doesn't the green roof look good too! (and creating great insulation)

Over to Delvendahl Martin Architects.......

"In the spirit of Barley's upcycling approach, the design of the new rear extension is to provide increased workspace and a basement workshop which incorporates, where possible, building materials and components that are either reclaimed, made from re-cycled materials or with low embodied energy. An example of this was the involvement of ‘Out of the Dark’ to design and install part of the fitted furniture. The organization repurposes salvaged furniture as a means to educate, train and employ young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The geometry that gives the massing of the building its characteristic triangulated shape, was generated to minimize overshadowing to adjacent properties and maximize daylight penetration to the basement. The palette of materials is neutral and includes laminated timber for the skylight, fibre cement exterior cladding and a fabricated steel staircase"

I look forward to sharing this magnificent space with you!

Why don't you (Re) Design Christmas?

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:23:00 +0000

"How about swapping some stressful shopping for a bit of creative Make It Yourself this Christmas? " So suggests the resourceful and DIY festive project book 'Why don't you (Re) design Christmas?' by Re Design, on sale at Fabrications, it is jam packed with step by step instructions to help you create beautiful decorations and personalised gifts from materials that would otherwise go to waste by a bunch of really COOL designers (Creation Out Of Landfill - a term I banded about back in early 2000 before the brilliant word Upcycling came along!)

Thanks to Hannah Judge Brown, sustainability manager at the Guardian, I was invited in to share a couple of projects I had included in the Re Design book including how to make 'Plarn' - plastic bag yarn, as featured on my little video (scroll down the blog!) and some Christmas tree decoration ideas, which participants are planning to make for the Guardian's office Christmas tree!

Here I am demonstrating how to make 'Plarn'!

This was a great prelude to a festive decorations workshop I'm planning at Fabrications on Saturday 17th December. I've teamed up with Rebecca Alderman, aka Girl with Beads, who will show you how to make your own Christmas wreath out of upcycled plastic bags, whilst I'm teaching pom pom making and french knitting to create a range of Christmas tree decorations, also out of upcycled plastic bags!

We hope lots of parents and children will attend as the techniques are family friendly and adults accompanying a child come free! Bring along your own plastic bags or use our collection. The session costs £20 and booking is required.

Fabrications wishes you a very happy, scrappy DIY Christmas! X X X X X X

Clothes Swapping event

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:11:00 +0000

We are super excited about collaborating with Mrs Bear's Swapshops for our very first event in the new space!
Her website explains how it all works. She operates a grading system to ensure quality anbd fairness and swapping 'like for like'. Once you've handed in your items and they've had a mini assessment you get coloured stamps in Mrs Bear's ration book!

Not only can you swap up to 7 items, but there will be some workshops hosted by Sewing Bear from Stitches in Time alterations, who will be on hand to help with simple changes and local designer maker Stephanie Bescoby will show you how to repair or upcycle your jewellery.

We are OPEN again!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:36:00 +0000

Last Saturday we RE OPENED our shop doors again after 4 months of refurbishment works. The new back space or 'Imaginerium' still has some finishing and signing off to happen but at least the shop is open again! Thankyou to all those hellos, welcome back and we missed you comments! I've got a warm fuzzy felt feeling inside and glad to be back!

A few days prior I thought I'd make an impromptu visit to Prick your Finger to catch up with Rachael and Louise and pick up some of their knitted letters to read OPEN + CLOSED for a new door sign.
On arrival I used their new robust, weatherproof crocheted doorbell! Rachael + Louise bounced out 'Yeah it works!' The doorbell had only just been installed.
I asked about letters for my new door sign and Rachael pulled out their 'forged felted Mark Pawson' door sign from under their counter and presented it to me - 'We think you should have this and keep it circulating'.
The story behind this sign is that when PYF first opened Mark Pawson posted one of his iconic perspex signs through their door with an invoice without invitation. The girls were a bit taken aback as they had not requested the sign and the shop had just opened on a shoe string and no budget for perspex signs! So they decided to re create Mark's sign in felt!

Anyway, no hard feelings only soft fuzzy felt ones and I am chuffed that as PYF gets a new doorbell I have acquired sign! I wonder which shop should have it next?? Suggestions please!

Behind the Seams!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:33:00 +0000

I had a little film made about me recently by Story as part of series of films 'Uncovering East London' for the new Westfield shopping centre (Stratford) website.
I was quite surprised that I had been chosen as my independent cottage industry is the antidote to this global chain of shopping malls. But it's a positive portrayal ,and I'm always for looking for mainstream channels for getting my environmental, social and value of craft messages out there. Hope you enjoy it!

Behind the Seams photos thanks to Story!

Adding Value(s) at the Upcycling Academy

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:41:00 +0000

Earlier this year I was approached by ‘Twisted Thread’, the team behind Europe’s largest textile event ‘The Knitting and Stitching Shows’ to develop a new feature area at the show.

Over the last couple of years ‘upcycling’ has become a bit of a buzzword, but many people are still unsure what it means or misappropriate the word. The term was popularised by the 2002 book ‘Cradle to Cradle’ ‘Remaking the way we make things’ by William Mc Donough and Michael Braungart. The book identified how materials being recycled actually downgrade and use more resources whereas materials being upcycled gain quality and value and impact less on the environment.

I have been a professional upcycler for over 12 years. I introduced the term upcycling into my vocabulary after being invited to make a presentation of my textile practise at the ‘Upcycling – adding value through design’ symposium organised by TED – Textile Environment Design at Chelsea college of Art + Design. For me upcycling is not only the process of transforming, giving new life, stories and meanings to waste materials but I see this resourceful approach as a framework to do more with less and to action positive social and environmental changes within ourselves, locally and globally.

‘The Upcycling Academy’ aims to pass on these values and skills and wants YOU! To join our creative and dedicated team at the shows. So what’s happening? This first Upcycling Academy presents an alternative and ethical fashion production line. Check into the utopian factory’s ‘Consumption and Waste’ reception hosted by Traid and pick up an old t-shirt for a donation of £3 or bring your own. While there learn how growing clothes consumption and waste is impacting on our environment. Take your t-shirt and rotate around a series of experimental, re processing, craft based workshops on ‘The Productive Line’. Stitch, Slash, Print, Accessorise, Knit, Weave or mix n match techniques with our upcycling design team including Barley Massey, Sue Russell, Sissy Rooney. Alongside, exercise your values in the Gaming and Action area hosted by War on Want - Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops campaign and Traid. Participatory activities include ‘Who’s responsible?’ and ‘Be the change’. War on Want will also be linking with Sissy Rooney’s workshop in creating action slogans for t-shirts. The final link in the chain is the ‘Virtual Catwalk’ where you can strut your stuff, show off your creations, put an action on a mini placard and have your picture taken by the photo booth and share it on Facebook. You can also print out your image for a donation of £2; proceeds will go to one of War on Wants current human right’s campaigns – lobbying for better working conditions for Bangladesh garment workers.

Are you ready to join the industrious re – evolution?

For further information on The Upcycling Academy, a free down loadable resource pack for teachers, how to buy tickets and directions for the show visit the Twisted Thread website

Competition time!

To win 2 tickets to the show (you can choose Ally Pally, Dublin or Harrogate) answer the following question: What does upcycling mean to you?

Be spontaneous as we need to receive your response before Sunday 2nd October so we have enough time to post out the tickets! The most thought provoking and creative answer posted on either Fabrications Facebook page or the comment box on THIS POST wins! Good Luck!

Progress Report

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:26:00 +0000

I am going away for 2 weeks! The Fabrications renovations have got to a stage now where I can have a holiday, re charge my batteries ready to get stuck into finishing, painting and fixtures and fittings and re stocking the shop. The plan is to re open mid October after the Knitting + Stitching show in Ally Pally, where I have put together a new area at the show called 'The Upcycling Academy'.

It has been an exciting journey, working with the architects Delvendahl Martin, Fiona Sail + Sons (contractor) and her team of hard working trades people and seeing an idea that was planned on paper 4 years ago become reality.
Standing in this new space I am now also appreciating the architects vision in transforming the little yard out back that wasn't really being used into this inspirational, light and functional space.

I am looking forward to all the workshops, events, happenings, talks, collaborations, creativity and positivity that the space is going to generate! See you in October! Or at the official launch party next year!

Power Up People...

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:14:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite pieces of street art at the moment, located on Hackney Road. if you're coming out of the overland Hoxton Station, keep left and you get a great view of it! It was created by Ben Eine following the purchase of a piece of his graffiti art '21st Century City' by Samantha Cameron, which she and her husband then gave as a gift to Barack Obama. Having a bit of knowledge of Ben's background (I used to see him and his wife most mornings on Broadway Market before getting priced out of the area) I can appreciate that it was 'the strangest week' for him and that this piece was an outlet for his amazement. However I am fascinated by his use of the words 'Power Up' in iconic smiley faces and been indulging in - terpretation pie.
The Smiley face symbol has been smiling back at us and making us happy since the 60's summer of love. It became an icon of the subculture rave scene of the late 80's. There's a great article about the history of the Smiley Face here.

I think Ben Eine is calling all us people at street level to get active, use our energies and love in a positive way to challenge societies power structures.

Small individual actions can create larger social changes.....

Join us Craftivists in stitching a giant love letter in response to Tracy Emin's retrospective at the Hayward Gallery this Thursday 25th August, 7 - 9pm at the Hayward Gallery

Emin’s exhibition ‘Love Is What You Want’ explores the theme of love through her personal experiences of abortion, relationships, and sex, and her provocative personality and strong political views.

The Craftivist Collective have been invited by the Hayward Gallery to lead a free craftivism workshop (activism through craft) inspired by Emin's exhibition. The Craftivist Collective are asking the public to stitch their signature onto their giant embroidered love letter and attach a handwritten tag with a description of how they will be showing their love and commitment this summer to other members of society.

The Craftivist Collective have been inspired but also challenged by this exhibition. Emin's art, political views and the current political climate are hard to ignore but we want to use this invitation from the Hayward as an opportunity of showing love to our global neighbours through the power of craft and public art.

Founder Sarah Corbett says "We don’t just want to talk about love or show it to a select few. We encourage everyone to show their love to the most vulnerable people in the world through action. Please join us and show your commitment to love others by lovingly stitching your signature onto our giant love letter, attaching a tag with a description of how you are going to show your love this summer."

Upcycling workshops at Vintage in pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:04:00 +0000

As promised here are my snap shots (Not all workshops are covered - more on Fabrications Facebook page) of the upcycling workshop area at Vintage at the Southbank, which I recently co curated with Louise Kamara of the Eco Design Fair.

A big THANKYOU! to everyone involved, the Hemingways and their team, RFH staff, workshop hosts and of course all the lovely participants who made things with us, brought our wares, and looked so fabulous! It was a really enjoyable weekend.

My fascinator making from vintage silk scarves went down well, I even had a hen party on the Saturday! So great to see people wearing their creations around the Royal Festival Hall.

I shared my workshop station with Mollie Makes, who had 2 different workshops on offer. Eirlys Penn aka Scrapiana made strawberry pin cushions, read her highlights of the upcycled workshops on her Blog. On the Sunday Sara Sinaguglia taught crochet and then how to make an apple cosy.

Ahoy there! Seaside Sisters had sunny side offerings - making flower brooches and specially designed 'Vintage 2011' festival of Britain style pennants. you can see some of the creations from the weekend on their blog.

Meanwhile in the 'Refresh your wardrobe' station. Jessica Aldred passed on her 'stitchy goodness' in the form of lovely motifs to customise and breathe new life into an old garment or accessory. Read Jessica's experience on her blog!

Lisa of U Old Bag demonstrates how to make yarn from an old t-shirt and then how to crochet fashion accessories from it.

In the 'Fashion Rework' area, Fashion Antidote ran their 'Chop + Change' workshop where you could transform a couple of shirts and a t-shirt into a skirt, whilst TRAID revamped old woollens and taught finger knitting.

Out of the Dark kindly let us use their upcycled vintage furniture to display our wares in alongside the workshops. Their pieces created the perfect setting for the space.

Good work team! I look forward to working with you all again at another time or place!

Green Goddesses

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Shoreditch Sister's July meeting focused on the environment. For those of you who may not have heard about them, they are my local WI group and have been incredibly successful is attracting a range of women of all ages and backgrounds to join the WI. As well as providing a meeting point, support network and skills exchange, they are also very active in campaigning for women's social injustices. Recent campaigns include female genital mutilation 'Embroideries'

WEN (the Women's environmental network) were invited to talk about their aims and the projects they are currently engaging in and I was invited to run a little crafting session, so I showed the sisters how to make a shopping bag out of an old t-shirt!

There was an even bigger turn out than usual apparently, following the Shoreditch Sisters interview on Radio 4's 'Womens Hour'. I found the meeting very open, welcoming and fun!
The secretary Caroline Brooks generously helped me in the Upcycling Workshop area last weekend at Vintage at the Southbank - which I will be reporting in my next post!

Designer Vintage Scarves Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:49:00 +0000

I've decided to sell my collection of collectable designer scarves through the ages at my stand at Vintage at Southbank this coming week.
Sorry my snaps don't really reflect how lovely they are - pure silk, hand rolled and stitched edges and in very good condition considering the age of some of them.

I've also got scarves by Chloe, Horrockses 'Imperial Muffler', Givenchy, Lanvin, Laua Ashley, Thomas Burberry, YSL...

Vintage at the Southbank

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:40:00 +0000

This year Wayne and Gerradine Hemingway's Vintage festival is at the Southbank, London.

I am co curating the Upcycling Workshop area (located inside the Royal Festival Hall) alongside the lovely Louise Kamara, organiser of the Eco Design Fair.

There will be 6 main workshop stations. Hosts will be rotating 2 1/2 hr classes 12 - 5.30pm and also selling their handmade wares, vintage clothing, accessories and haberdashery, kits, magazines and published books throughout the day.
You can book in at the workshop of your choice on arrival at 12 noon or just drop in if there's space! Here's a sneak preview of what we've got planned....

Sewing machines at the ready....get 'Reworking Fashion' or 'Chop + Change' with Fashion Antidote and revamp old woollens with TRAID. Horrockses will show you how to transform their printed bed linen into a vintage inspired dress. In celebration of the current Festival of Britain exhibition and celebrations at the Southbank, The Seaside Sisters have developed a special FOB inspired pennant making session. On the 'Refresh your Wardrobe' station discover styling and customising tips from Kustom Box, whilst author Jessica Alden from the Royal School of Needlework will demonstrate beautiful embellishment techniques.

Want to do a bit of DIY? Join Max McCurdo from Reestore who will be creating Bird boxes out of circuitry and hardware. Meanwhile U Old Bag (great business name!) will demonstrate how to make yarn out of an old t-shirt and then how to crochet it into simple accessories.
Last but not least I am sharing a station with the new craft magazine Molly Makes who will be making items from recent issues including strawberry pin cushions and crocheted apple protectors, whilst I'm doing my 'Create a fabulous fascinator' out of vintage silk scarves and haberdashery. Fun fun fun...hope to see you there!

No more boring necklines!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:19:00 +0000

Here's what some of the participants made during my 'Upcycled textile necklaces' at The Hatton Garden Festival, part of the London Jewellery Week recently. Didn't they do well?

I love how everyone collages and interprets the materials I provide for a workshop so differently! Freely reflecting their personality and creativity. I also love how everyone enjoys sharing their making experiences and are really proud of what they create.

Pearly Kings, Queens, Princesses + Princes

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:51:00 +0000

I have had the privilege of meeting a number of Pearly Kings and Queens recently, or 'The Pearlies' as they are affectionately known because of their outfits which are beautifully decorated with different symbols and patterns made up of hand sewn pearl buttons.
They have been around for over 1000 years and originate from London's 'street traders'. There is a lovely website set up by the guild, please have a look. These days The Pearlies roam events and festivals raising money for good causes and keeping their heritage alive.

On Broadway Market in April 2011

The Pearly Princess of Homerton was taught to sew by her nan. Each Pearly decorates their own outfit. Apparently lots of historical pieces went on display at The Craft + Stitch show (I think I've got the name right!) at excel last year. Tatty Devine were also inspired by their costumes and worked with them to create an exhibition of photography and jewellery pieces. Wee Birdy wrote about it at the time here.

In time outfits become more and more laden with buttons and also lucky charms which are usually placed on the lapels or hats. Here is the Pearly King of Wapping threading a needle accompanied by the Pearly Queen of Highgate - he's spotted something on my workshop table at the Hatton Garden Festival recently!

He also helped me teach sewing stitches during the workshop!

Yes! He's spotted some unusual pearl beads, which he sewed onto his hat. A small piece of Fabrications added! Apparently he tries to sew on something new wherever he goes!
So the Pearlies outfits are not only exquisite mobile artworks but also an archive of history, meetings and memories gathered from the streets of London.

Fabrications Out-Back

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:14:00 +0000

I haven't been blogging for a while, posts are swirling about in my mind. While the building work takes place at the shop, it's given me the space to think, research and get out and about to soak up the wealth of exciting activity that's taking place in London at the moment. I've been to Somerset House for a talk on 'Art, Activism + the Avant garde', the RSA for a live recording of '4 Thought' and back to Somerset House for a debate on 'Women + the Big society - blast from the past or a new idea?'....to be continued...in the meantime a short announcement:

Fabrications is now open for business on Friday + Saturday afternoons - Out-Back at No 16 Broadway Market. Unless we are running a workshop at an event. Check our website calender for further information on what we're up to this summer.

Sarah who usually runs her retro furniture and brick a brack shop at No 16 Broadway is currently having a rest and will be reinventing her space in Autumn. In the meantime Penny + Les from 'The Garden Shop' on Columbia Road have transformed the front of the shop.

And I've set up my studio and mini shop, which includes a 'Museum of Everything' style counter. Please pop in and say hello!

Mini workshop at the Guardian

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:20:00 +0000

This week I ran my 'Refresh your wardrobe' (mend + uplift) workshop with some lovely people who work at the Guardian's new offices at Kings Cross. The Guardian is a forward thinking newspaper, they have their own sustainability team who were responsible for organising a series of workshops for employees as part of their own Sustainability Week.
I bought in my mobile unit (a laden bicycle!) of darning wools, mushrooms, needles, patches, threads and a collection of inspirational reclaimed haberdashery for customising with and passed on some simple darning, mending and alteration tips and everyone made a recycled rosette too before they left. What a good lunch hour!

Make with Me

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:32:00 +0000

Calling all crafters, non crafters willing to have a go and social people! Help raise money for Mencap's wonderful work with people living with disabilities by Making and Baking things!

Mencap's latest newly launched campaign (just yesterday!) is 'Make with Me & 'Bake with Me'. The Make with Me website contains lots of ideas and inspiration to get crafty, host a fund raising crafty party or get together as well as free seasonal recipe and project cards that you can download.

I am very proud to let you know that I have designed one of these project cards for Mencap. I hope you enjoy making my 'United Gingerbread People Bunting' and using it to decorate a crafty party for Mencap. You will find the pattern template and step by step instructions on the Make with Me website.

The Make A Me appeal challenges everyone to make a 'Me', a personalised home made or baked creation, to show your support for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. It's easy to take part: get inspired, Make a Me, and upload it into the ME gallery at Make with Me to raise awareness and much needed funds, for national disability week 20 - 26 June. Mencap need as many people as possible to hand make or bake a 'Me' and show their support.

B & B

noreply@blogger.com (Fabrications) — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Katherine May's fantastic banner is up and the builders are in! I've been watching people peeping through the door to see that Fabrications is now officially a building site!

Meet Fiona Sail and her team who have agreed to undertake all the work!

I'm Looking forward to the improvements and change...I'll keep you posted!