Out Of The Fold

Subscribe to our new blog

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:06:00 +0000

This is the final blog post on this site.

All new Out of the Fold news and blogs can now be found on our new website where your can subscribe to receive blogs directly into your email.

outofthefold.com/category/blogs/

Thank you to all our followers who have supported this blogspot over the many years.

I hope you will continue to follow the Out of the Fold journey

New logo for Out of the Fold

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:26:00 +0000

To go along with our new website https://outofthefold.com/ we have a new logo designed by Penny Evans

This logo will be used on all Out of the Fold materials. A fresh new look for our developing group.

New website for Out Of The Fold

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:23:00 +0000

Out of the Fold are pleased to present our brand new website
https://outofthefold.com/

Many thanks to Jenny Lam for all her work designing the website which features all twelve members of the group

In future all Out of the Fold news will be communicated via the website so this little blog will be discontinued.

Thankyou to all our blog followers. I hope that you will continue to support Out of the Fold

Jenny creating 'Alchemy' for Raveningham Sculpture Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Mon, 05 May 2025 06:21:00 +0000

Jenny Lam is creating a large new hanging work inspired by 'Alchemy' for the Raveningham Sculpture Trail this summer.

The raveninghamsculpturetrail.com/ features 65 artists, in a wide range of media, displaying work outside in the three acres of wild garden.

Venue: Raveningham Centre, NR14 6NU

Dates: 16th July until 7th Sept 2025

Open 10am - 4pm, Weds - Sunday

Entry £8, under 18s free

You can find more information about Jenny's work on www.instagram.com/jennylamtextiles/#

Mary McIntosh exhibiting with E.A.S.T.

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:31:00 +0000

Out of the Fold member Mary McIntosh also exhibits with E.A.S.T.

Mary will be showing a brand new piece of work as part of the 'Bridging the Gap' exhibition with E.A.S.T. at The Minories in Colchester.

Mary says

"The inspiration for the Bridging the Gap exhibition is pioneering women who made a difference to their society in the past and whose influences are still felt today. I have taken as my inspiration early women herbalists which used their skills to help their families and communities at risk to their own safety for fear of being persecuted as witches. That knowledge has informed modern medicine"

The work is entitled 'A coat for Elizabeth' in recognition of the female herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell who wrote the 'Curious Herbal' in 1737

She is just a handful of named women herbalists and represents the very many unknown and anonymous healers

'Bridging the Gap' will be on show at The Minories, 74 High Street, Colchester CO1 1UE from 24th April until 4th May 2025. Thursdays to Sundays only.

Penny Evans joins Norfolk Contemporary Craft Society

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:48:00 +0000

Out of the Fold member Penny Evans has been selected for membership of the Norfolk Contemporary Craft Society

Founded in 1972, Norfolk Contemporary Craft Society (NCCS) is the leading Norfolk association of designer-makers. Members encompass traditional to cutting-edge designer crafts

https://www.norfolkcontemporarycraft.co.uk/

Here are images of some of the work Penny took along in support of her application

Penny says

"It is exciting to become part of NCCS and display my work alongside makers in different media"

Penny will exhibit with NCCS at St Margaret's Church, St Benedict's Street, Norwich from 30th June until 13th July 2025

You can see more of Penny's work on her website https://pennyevansfibreart.co.uk/

and on instagram @pennye.fiberart

Solo exhibition by Nicola Whayman

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:28:00 +0000

Out of the Fold member Nicola Whayman will be presenting her first solo exhibition this summer.

Nicola says

"My exhibition ‘Calm’ in June 2025 is an opportunity to reflect on my time in nature. Exploring my natural surroundings, looking at natural dyes from plant matter and creating with natural fibres. Using my senses to respond to and portray the essence of the place and my presences in it.

Working mainly with preloved and silk fabrics and threads, natural dyes, rust and earth pigments, water colours and natural fibres"

You can see more of Nicola's work on her instagram @quiltingthreads

'Calm' will run from Wed 18th June until Tuesday 24th June at The Craft House Gallery in Woodbridge IP121AA

How to describe ourselves

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:00 +0000

Out of the Fold will be one of the exhibiting groups taking part in the new ArtConTex event at The Minories, Colchester in October 2025

As part of the publicity campaign to promote the event we have been asked for one or two sentences about each member. Plus one photo.

This is quite difficult!

These are the words supplied by each member - interesting to see how we describe our different inspirations and way of working.

Sarah Boardman

Sarah uses art to connect her with herself and life. Through the mediums of hand embroidery, printmaking and applique Sarah uses bold colour and shape to explore the world around her.

www.sbtextileart.co.uk @sbtextileart

Caroline Brown

Caroline is inspired by her collection of vintage fabrics bringing them to a new life, in the form of images that evoke memories and an appreciation of traditional materials.

Jenny Butcher

Research is an integral part of Jenny’s artistic practice as she continues to explore the impact of adoption on birth mothers and their children during the 1950s and 1960s.

@jennybutcherart

Heather Evans

Heather has been developing her textile art after completing a creative textile course. She enjoys experimenting with materials and colours to develop her own personal style.

@heatherevanstextileart

Penny Evans

Penny is an award-winning fibre artist who loves experimenting with wet felt, for its textural and structural properties. Her work ranges from the delicate and fragile where paper is incorporated with a fine layer of wool, to structural felt pieces whose strength is derived from the wool itself.

www.pennyevansfibreart.co.uk @pennye.fibreart

Jenny Lam

Much of Jenny's work is in 3D and has focussed on the natural world and the unseen life force within it. Her pieces are organic and suggestive of roots, branches, blood vessels, bronchioles - channels through which life giving elements flow.

@jennylamtextiles

Mary McIntosh

Reading and research is always the start of new work for Mary. Looking for a story to tell through textile art. The choice of materials is also key to convey meaning and message.

www.marymcintosh.co.uk @maryelmcintosh2018

Dee Nicholson

Dee’s inspiration comes from nature and landscapes including the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline. She also specialises in shibori using woad and indigo.

@deenicholsontextileart

Frances Overy

Frances uses visual sensations, diary scribbles and memories of time spent when travelling.
Rather than photographic images, words and recollections are her inspiration.

www.francesovery.com @franovery

Phillip Rees

Phillip has a wide range of interests in textile art from fabric embellishment by printing and dyeing to hand and machine embroidery. He enjoys creating work in two and three dimensions.

@philliprtextiles

Nicola Whayman

Nicola is a textile artist who is inspired by and responds to the natural surroundings; exploring and enjoying nature’s resources to create work and encourage well-being.

@quiltingthreads

Beverley Youngman

Beverley’s creative journey and explorations involve her getting outdoors, experiencing and responding to her local surroundings and coastlines capturing a thought, memory or an emotion in her work.

@beverley_youngman

New Year, New Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 09:40:00 +0000

Out of the Fold started off 2025 with a workshop led by the wonderfully talented artist and tutor Michelle Parsons on our exhibition theme for 2025 - REFLECTIONS

We set up a still life using all manner of light reflecting items and started by making some drawings. Michelle encouraged us to use a variety of media including bold lines using sharpie pens, charcoal or graphite

Colour was added. Michelle advised on ways of representing light and reflections.

Drawing by Heather Evans

We were encouraged to make two drawings to be cut up and reassembled

Drawing be Jenny Lam

This allowed us to be not so precious about our drawings and was very 'freeing'

Lino print (underneath) by Mary McIntosh

Michelle also showed us how to make lino cut blocks from parts of our drawn designs

Design by Heather Evans

Finally the two drawings were cut up and combined with lino prints on top. All ten participants produced very different pieces to 'reflet' their own styles and personalities

Design by Sarah Boardman

This workshop was a great way to start the new year and get our creative juices flowing again after Christmas

Members will continue to work on their designs and the ideas which Michelle very generously shared at our February meeting

Design by Phillip Rees

The 'Reflections' series will be shown at our exhibition at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds in September 2025

Here is a short video showing the designs created on the workshop by members of Out of the Fold

Happy New Year

Christmas card swap 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 07:15:00 +0000

Out of the Fold has a long and lovely tradition of exchanging handmade Christmas cards at the final meeting of the year. Here is the selection for 2024.

May we wish all our friends and followers a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025

Dee exhibiting in Wissett

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:54:00 +0000

Out of the Fold member Dee Nicolson is one of the four artists exhibiting and selling work at Wissett Village Hall, 27 The Street, Wissett, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 0JG

Sat 16th and Sunday 17th November 2024

10am - 4pm each day

Dee will have some of her beautiful machine embroidery works on show as well as pieces most recently seen at the 'A splash of Colour' group exhibition

Follow Dee on her instagram @deenicholsontextileart

Design theme for 2025 exhibition selected

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:42:00 +0000

For the new series of work to be designed and created by all twelve members of Out of the Fold in 2025 the theme will be...........

REFLECTIONS

This exhibition will be unveiled at the exhibition in The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds on 23rd - 28th September 2025

Mary is the guest artist for November 2024 in Sudbury

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:37:00 +0000

Out of the Fold member Mary McIntosh has a display of work in the Art and Framing Centre, Friars Street, Sudbury for the whole month of November 2024

www.sudburyframing.co.uk/

The shop is open Monday - Saturday 10am until 5pm

Mary has a range of framed work, mounted work, handmade books, covered sketchbooks and cushions for sale in the shop.

Mary is offering a new range of glass candle holders which come with a battery candle which would make nice Christmas gifts. Each one unique. Prices from £15

Penny launches her brand new website

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:22:00 +0000

You can find out more about Out of the Fold member Penny Evans on her new website https://pennyevansfibreart.co.uk/

Penny at Art Unequalled

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:19:00 +0000

Penny Evans is taking part in the Art Unequalled event at the Maltings, Ely

When?

Art Unequalled Ely

9th and 10th November 2024
Saturday and Sunday 10.30am -5pm

Where?

The Malting’s
Ship Lane
Ely
Cambs.
CB7 4BB

For more information look at the website artunequalled.co.uk/november

Off the wall thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 08:18:00 +0000

As contemporary textile artists much of the work we make is for exhibition and designed to be displayed on a gallery wall. However for the last few years we have included an ‘Off the Wall’ challenge to design and make three dimensional work to be displayed on tables and plinths. Originally it was to fill the gallery space. The Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds, which is our main exhibition space, is a beautifully restored Georgian building and does not allow pieces to be fixed to the walls but does have some lovely Georgian side tables. It was a practical solution. But could it also be a creative solution?

The first of our challenges also developed from a group outing to Sudbury Suffolk which still has three working silk mills and weaves 96% of silk in the UK. We enjoyed a guided Silk Walk around the town and a visit to the Gainsborough Silk Mill archive. We purchased large wooden reels from old looms from the mill shops. Each member was then allocated a colour by random ballot and charged to make a piece of work to be displayed on the reel. In a way this was quite easy – just a piece of textile in a very long thin form. But how best to display? If unrolled they lose their form. If rolled then they cannot be fully seen. The reels themselves roll – right off the table!

The Silk Reels were exhibited in Bury St Edmunds and then very fittingly at Sudbury Silk Festival

The challenge for the ‘Unfolding’ exhibition was linked directly to the theme and was to make fans.

Again we planned a group outing and arranged to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to view some of their fan collection from the archive. This gave us the opportunity to handle the beautiful fans and see up close the different styles and construction methods. Some members also visited the fan museum in Greenwich and one used it as an excuse for a research trip(holiday) to Seville!

The fans proved to be a highly technical challenge. Some members made them from scratch, others deconstructed and reconstructed existing fans, and lots of different media as you would expect from a mixed media group were employed. Fans were made from paper, cotton, silk, vilene, lutrudur, lace, felt and wood. They were stitched, painted, printed, dyed, dissolved, burned, manipulated and quite often rescued from the bin!

This is what some of our members said about the fan challenge:

Phillip Rees “Making fans was a technical as well as an artistic challenge. It pushed me to work in a different way”

Heather Evans “The challenge to make a working fan took some research and some failed attempts but it felt great to finally succeed”

Frances Overy “Making the fan was one of the most fun challenges. What a huge variety of techniques, colours and types achieved for the display. They were a real talking point among visitors”

Sarah Boardman “The challenges are a way of taking you out of your comfort zone an creating something you would not have down otherwise”

The fans were exhibited in 2023 in Bury St Edmunds and at the Big 24 exhibition in Suffolk

The Out of the Fold challenge was for ‘A Splash of Colour’ exhibition to make Cubes. This time with an added size limitation of 4”, 8” and 12”.

The six sided cube allowed for a really varied range of media to be used with members exploring the form. Some members selected to work ‘inside the box’ to make the most of the hollow form and others using the cube frame almost as a mini gallery. There were some complete matching sets but others used the challenge to produce individual standalone cubes. Our three new members also joined in this challenge at very short notice and added their individuality to the eclectic mix. Easier to display – cubes do at least stack! Not so easy to store, another consideration for future challenges

So do Out of the Fold members like the challenges? Are they a restriction or a call to creativity and innovation?

Penny Evans “Coming together as a group to discuss the challenges has many benefits, not just overcoming the technical aspects. Ideas spark off design ideas and the set of fans, cubes or whatever are produced which are all so different”

Nicola Whayman “I enjoy the challenge of having to think differently where there are some constraints”

Jenny Lam “It gives me a focus. Producing 3D work involves thinking about structure, support, materials and the best method of displaying to advantage”

Dee Nicholson “I like being challenged to think outside the box”

Jenny Butcher” As a new member it was good to be included in a collaborative project. 3D work offers the viewer another interesting perspective to textile work”

Beverley Youngman “The challenges are good fun. Great way to explore new techniques together”

The cubes were exhibited at Snape Maltings in 2024 and will be able to be viewed again at the next exhibition in Sept 2025 at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds

So what will be the challenge for the next exhibition in 2025…….

A version of this article will be published in the Contemporary Quilt Magazine

'A Splash of Colour' is over (for now)

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

A huge thank you to everyone who visited our 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition at the Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings in October 2024.

For those not able to visit this time Jenny filmed this short video to give you a flavour of the pieces on display.

'A Splash of Colour' will be shown again at our next exhibition at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds in September 2025, alongside a brand new series of work on a new theme.

Dee exhibiting at Grundisburgh Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:38:00 +0000

The talents of Out of the Fold member Dee Nicholson can be seen both at the Snape Maltings exhibition and at the Suffolk Open Studios exhibition at the nearby grundisburghhousegallery.co.uk/

The Grundisburgh Gallery exhibition runs until the 29th October and so overlaps with the Out of the Fold exhibition until 23rd October. You could do both in one day!

You can see Dee's profile on suffolkopenstudios.org/artists/dee-nicholson/

Dee can be followed on instagram @deenicholsontextileart

Facebook Dee Nicholson

A Splash of Colour - three days to go

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:15:00 +0000

'A Splash of Colour' exhibition by members of Out of the Fold Textile Group continues at the Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, Suffolk until the end of Wednesday 23rd October

Open 10am until 4pm each day

Free entry

The Quay Gallery has a delightful setting with views down the Alde River and the reed beds

The Gallery has natural light from all sides and the textile work on show picks up this light differently through the day

The weather at Snape can also change in an instance and the gallery really feels part of this environment

The group challenge for this exhibition was to make Cubes. These are being shown off to great effect using the window space in the gallery

The Virginia Creeper growing over the gallery an other buildings at Snape Maltings always looks so glorious at this time of year - adding it's own splash of colour

Member will be stewarding the exhibition each day and we have information available about each artist and the makers of the cubes - please ask!

So much to see at 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:49:00 +0000

The working practices used by the twelve members of Out of the Fold cover a wide range of different techniques. These are just some of those you can see at the 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition - and that is even before we look at the wide variety of stitch by hand and machine.

And all of it a real riot of colour.

Can you spot the makers?

Come along to the exhibition to see all of these works in full plus many, many more.

Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, Suffolk IP17 1SP

Runs until Wed 23rd October 2024

10am - 4pm each day

Free entry

Out of the Fold Artist Statements for 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 07:56:00 +0000

All members of the group have written an Artist Statement for a booklet to accompany the 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition. Visitors often ask about members and their work when visiting and although there are stewards every day this provides a way of introducing all twelve embers of the group, including our three new members exhibiting for the first time.

The booklet also includes QR code links to members websites and social media and well as contact details for any future commissions!

Thank you to Frances Overy for compiling and printing the booklet. Hard copies will be available during the exhibition.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, Snape, Suffolk IP17 1SP

Friday 18th October until Wed 23rd O tober 2024

10am - 4pm each day

Free entry

Two for the price of one.......

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:38:00 +0000

If your visit Snape Maltings in Suffolk on the week of Friday 18th October until Wed 23rd October there will be two textile exhibitions on show.

Fibre Fusions - a long established group founded by the late Pauline Verrinder - will be exhibiting in the Pond Gallery for two weeks from 11th until 23rd October. Their exhibition 'Re' is a retrospective exhibition of work showing the breadth of work made over many years.

If you visit during the second week of the Fibre Fusion exhibition you can also visit the Quay Gallery to see 'A Splash of Colour' an exhibition by all twelve members of Out of the Fold including their group challenge series of CUBES

Both exhibitions are FREE and are open from 10am - 4pm each day.

Members will be there every day to steward and answer any questions about the textile art on show.

This is a great opportunity to see and purchase some innovative and original textile art - just on time for Christmas!

We hope to see you there.

A Splash of Colour exhibition - work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 07:53:00 +0000

Colours selected by Frances Overy

Members of Out of the Fold are all making new work for the forthcoming exhibition 'A Splash of Colour'

Detail of one of Frances's pieces

Each member will interpret the theme in their own way. Frances is using the three primary colours as her starting point

Detail from work by Caroline Brown

Caroline's inspiration is her garden with this highly coloured and textured work - stitched almost entirely by hand

Detail from work by Phillip Rees

Phillip is including a 3D element to his 'A Splash of Colour' and playing with different stiffening methods.

These are only a glimpse into the work by the twelve members of Out of the Fold.

To see the whole pieces then please come along to the 'A Splash of Colour' exhibition at The Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, Suffolk from 18th - 23rd October 2024

https://www.brittenpearsarts.org/visual-art/quay-gallery

Introducing new member Nicola Whayman

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:04:00 +0000

Out of the fold welcome new member Nicola Whayman who is joining the group in September 2024

Nicola’s creative work is inspired by and in response to her natural surroundings, mainly from her daily dog walks on the Deben Peninsula but also further afield.

Catch on the beach 2024

Using her senses and experience, knowledge and research to reflect her perceived essence of the place into the pieces.

China walk 2024

Thoughtfulness is given to the materials and practice, trying to work with nature as far as possible by using local resources, being as sustainable as possible while enjoying the process.

Mahjong 2024

Continuing to develop the balance of challenging practice, products used and expressing responses to the environment.

Slowing down the process with hand stitch and making fibres from nature gives time to reflect on experiences.

Nettle cordage bowl

She is also a member of Fibre Transformation group, exhibiting with them in 2022 and 2023 and has had a piece in the Norfolk Markers exhibition in 2023.

Instagram @Quiltingthreads

Qulitingthreads@outlook.com

Introducing new member Jenny Lam

noreply@blogger.com (Out Of The Fold Textile Group) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:38:00 +0000

Out of the Fold are delighted to welcome new member Jenny Lam to the group from September 2024

Having been inspired by the Creative Stitch and Advanced Stitch courses between 2018 - 2022, much of Jenny's work is in 3D and has focussed on the natural world and the life force within it.

The cacophony 2022

Her pieces often combine artefacts such as dried seed pods with eco-dyed fabric forms or organic thread shapes produced with solubles, so that the viewer must look closely to identify which is man-made and which natural.

I'll drift about Forever, all my Atoms,
Till I find you again. 2024

Some of her work is over 2 metres tall and she enjoys playing with scale and the sense of power that large works expresses.

Unravelling. In memory of Andre. 2022

The Essence of Summer 2021

She has found solace in creating work with deep personal meaning as a result of difficult life experiences.

Jenny also enjoys creating wallhangings combining paint, dyes, mixed media and stitch.

Publication

Jenny's wallhanging "The Essence of Summer" was included in a student online magazine (Fibre Arts Take Two) entitled "Delving Deeper Into our Visual Language" (with Lorna Crane) in 2021, .

The Broads 2024

She is also a member of the Textile Art group - Fibre Transformations

Jenny has exhibited with the Fibre Transformations group in 2022, 2023 and had a piece accepted into the Norfolk Makers Exhibition at the Forum in Norwich in 2024.

Contact Jenny: djembejen@hotmail.co.uk

Instagram: @jennylamtextiles and @fibre_transformations