Out of the Fold collaboration

 

The theme for Out of the Fold's 2026 exhibition is 'Material Dialogues'

For our group challenge this year we are working in collaborative pairs, drawn at random, to make new work on the theme

Some pairs are producing a single piece of work with both artists working on different elements

Other pairs are 'swapping' elements throughout the process and incorporating these into separately produced works

Some are discussing ideas and interpreting them using their own choice of materials and artistic practise.

The process is challenging and stimulating in equal measure. 

My partner is Frances Overy who lives near Norwich. The city was famed and made wealthy by the woven wool industry and the use of madder to dye the vibrant red cloth.

Norwich has many landmarks in the city which record it's textile history including the Madder Market.

I live near Sudbury which has a great tradition of silk weaving and whose mills still produce woven silk of the finest quality.

Sudbury also has architectural evidence of this past with streets such as Weavers Lane. Sudbury blue, also known as Lavenham blue, was achieved by dyeing with woad and indigo

Out third dye inspiration also comes from Norwich and the other product produced in the city -  mustard

Frances and I have both been dyeing a variety of wool and silk fabrics and are sharing these for the joint collaboration

What will we do with these fabrics? And how will the theme of 'Material Dialogues' be translated into finished work?

The other materials we are exploring are paper (Mary's favourite) wood (Frances is a wood turner), and plaster (a new material for both of us)

Weaving  is the link between Norwich and Sudbury, and so we will present our joint installation on a series of spools inspired by those used on the looms.

You will be able to follow the progress of our collaborations on this blog and on the Out of the Fold website where you can read regular blogs posted by group members www.outofthefold.com/category/blogs/

The whole series of work from the collaborations will be seen first at the Creative Stitch Graduate Show 2026 where Out of the Fold are one of the invited alumni groups

Venue: Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8BB

Dates: 18th and 19th July 2026

And then at our main exhibition in St Margaret's Gallery, St Benedict;s Street, Norwich NR2 4TU in Sept 2026

NEW Machine Embroidery short course

 

A brand new 6 week machine embroidery short course is now booking at The Cosy Cabin, Risby Barns, Risby, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6QU

A different technique will be explored each week, practising the skill in the morning session, and then applying it to a panel in the afternoon.

The outcome will be a finished panel mounted on canvas measuring 12" x 24" (30cm x 60cm) demonstrating several machine embroidery techniques.

Skill level: some experience of machine sewing would be desirable.

The course will run on Fridays, 10am until 3pm 

To book please contact The Cosy Cabin on 01284 811 222

Week one: Line (trees)

Explore programmed stitches for creativity and free motion stitching techniques  to 'draw with the needle' to create the structure of the panel and line detail.

Looking at different ways of transferring a design

Colouring the background ready for stitch

Week two: Colour (bluebells)

Free motion zigzag - learn how to 'sketch and scribble' with the needle. Using stitch to colour, shade, blend and infill to dd areas of opacity and detail.

Week three: Shape (leaves)

Working with sheer fabrics and applique techniques to build up layers of tranlucency and shape. Free motion stitch for detail.

Week four: Layers (more leaves)

Using soluble fabrics and sheers to create elemts to add to the design and create 3D effects. Making slips and plaques.

Week five: Texture (bark)

Learn how to raise the surface using couching, making and stitching cords to add bold line and texture

Week six: Finishing touches (more bluebells)

Using cable stitch to add further texture to the foreground.

Finishing off the panel and mounting onto a canvas

All the skills acquired and practised on the course can be used for future stitch projects.

British Quilt and Stitch Village event

 

After an absence of quite a few years I am delighted to be returning to the quiltandstitchvillage held at Uttoxeter Race Course on 24th - 26th April 2026

This is a regional show for the North Midlands with exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and traders. It is a very welcoming and friendly textile event.

I will have a stand in the Staffordshire Stand of the racecourse where I will be demonstrating the Lutradur Lanterns technique (new for 2026) and selling project packs and materials. 

Looking forward to catching up with my Midlands based textile friends. 

Festival of Quilts 2026

 

Booking has now opened for tickets for the Festival of Quilts 2026

I am delighted to be returning to the Creative Textiles Studio www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/creative-textiles-studio/ and will be demonstrating on Saturday 1st August from 1pm - 4pm

The studio is FREE and open for everyone in the show to come and watch, ask questions, and buy the products being used.

This year I will be demonstrating using Lutradur to stitch, colour, foil and burn to make up into 3D items. Packs will be on sale.

And of course I will have a small stand at the show in the new 'Meet the Teacher' zone. My stand will be at the end of the row QIA15

It would be lovely to see lots of textile friends at the show, particularly if you have done a workshop with me and have finished your piece - please bring it along to show

The deadline to enter a quilt, or quilt creation into the Festival of Quilts is 10th June. 

www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/creative-textiles-studio/

Now what shall I enter this year? 

Complex Cloth Scotland

 

I was invited by Gillian Cooper and Sam Townsend to be a guest tutor at their City & Guilds Spring School near Sterling in Scotland. 

I spent 3 days with a group of students from all over the country creating unique pieces of complex cloth before piecing these with the Pojagi stitch technique.

Students had arrived the day before and been set tasks to draw personal objects and take inspiration from their surroundings. 

We took these drawings, identified areas of interest, and made stencils and stamps. I continued to work with the laces from my little shoes.

Working with three different fabrics - cotton - linen - organdie - we used acrylic paints to stamp and stencil onto fabric

Students were asked to restrict their colour palette to three colours

Each fabric had two or three overlaid designs. The plan was to use similar imagery to create a complex cloth with layers of depth.

These stamped and stencilled fabrics were then dyed in three separate dye baths - aagain with a limited colour palette

Washed out and dried overnight

One day two we got out the decolourant and using the same stencils removed some colour from the cloth to add another layer of complexity

Some fabrics were 'saddened' with a tea solution

Gelliplates were used to print onto cotton organdie with acrylic paint with acrylic inks used to add further depth and colour.  Everyone now had a pile of complex cloths ready to stitch.

Time to stitch!

Varying the different fabric weights and colourways the fabrics were joined using the contemporary machine Pojagi piecing technique. 

With the Pojagi technique each seam is stitched twice so that all raw edges are hidden. The seams become an integral part of the design.

The way that the paint lies on the surface of the different fabrics helps to give the feeling of depth

The way that the procion dyes 'strike' different fabrics gives a subtle tonal range to the colour palette

The varying levels of opacity of the different fabics changes the way that light is reflected

The repeated imagery gives a cohesion and as the eye links similar shapes it gives movement to the piece

Here are some of the works in progress at the end of the Spring School.

Everyone had the same teaching and resources but each person created their own unique panel

It was an intense 3 days and we covered a lot of ground but I hope that the students can take some of these techniques and ideas forward into future projects

I asked that when the panels were completed that students might send me images.

This is the finished piece by Susan Reay

Liz Collinson produced this lovely piece

A huge thankyou to the eleven students in the workshop. You all embraced the techniques and the process. 

I wish you all every success with your City & Guilds courses

More images of completed pieces will be most welcome or come and show me at Festival of Quilts where I will be on stand QIA15

Textile Treasures of Rajasthan Holiday

 

I am really looking forward to leading this exciting trip to India with Aahilya Holidays

The Textile Treasures of Rajasthan has a great itinerary with a mix of architectural sites, hands on textile workshops, visits to bazaars and markets, and cultural experiences.

Aahilya organise everything so that the guests can relax and just enjoy it all.

Knowledgeable guides who specialise in textiles. With access to artisan makers and crafts people which would be impossible to find as an independent traveller.

Comfortable air-conditioned coaches with local drivers who get you from door to door

The food is delicious and Aahilya ensure that guests eat at 'safe' restaurants to keep everyone healthy

The hotels are carefully selected and are the highest standard. There is a choice of sharing a twin room or a solo option.

The tour includes lots of workshops learning traditional crafts. I am really looking forward to the puppet making workshop - what a great thing to bring home as a souvenir or your trip!

Rajasthan is famous for blockprinting and we will be taking part in a workshop using traditional pigments and hand carved blocks.

What will you do with your pieces of printed cloth back home? 

Each region of India has their own embroidery style. Stitch is a universal language and a passion shared across nations.

The colours of India are wonderful. In the clothing, the buildings, the artifacts, the spices, and just generally everywhere. It is joyful.

If you would like more information or to book onto the Treasures of Rajasthan holiday please visit  https://www.aahilyaholidays.com/tour/f05c/textile-treasures-of-rajasthan-with-mary-mcintosh-2026

It will be the experience of a lifetime. Please join me. 

 

Creative Stitch Graduate Show 2026 - save the date

 

The end of an era. 2026 will be the final Creative Stitch Graduate Show.

This will be an extra special show and a real celebration of all that Creative Stitch have achieved since SEFWI first started supporting our courses in 2007. I was a student in that first cohort with tutor Annette Morgan and I am proud to have continued her legacy alongside many tutors over the years -   Marion Barnes, Diane Thompson, Kate Thomson and Tina Finbow.

There will be student displays by 10 Advanced Stitched Textile students with some very exciting, innovative and meaningful work on show.

As it is the final show we have invited some of the textile groups formed from past students. There will be exhibitions by

Out of the Fold 

Feed Dogs Down

Textile Connections 

Spotlight Textiles 

Fibre Transformations

There will be lots more information coming out in the run up to the show. But for now please save the date.

Sat 18th and Sun 19th July 2026   10am - 4pm each day

Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market IP6 8BB

Entry £5, under 18's free