The Big Blanket Project was completed and exhibited on 6th December 2017. The event was held at Conway Hall in Holborn, London, where all 50 blankets were laid out together for the first time, to make the floral image. 

After the event, the blankets were taken to Crisis, who distributed them to their Centres. 

This was a project of huge organisational challenges, but it produced many beautifully made blankets that each had a story behind them. 

Over two hundred volunteers helped to create the blankets, some working alone, many in groups both organised (several Womens Institutes) and some formed especially, creating new friendships. A class of thirteen year old school children made one blanket, learning about recycling and sustainability as they did so. Another was made by college students, upcycling and using creative stitching techniques.

Five were made in a huge Making Day at Metal, Southend-on-Sea, organised by Tracy Spurgeon.

One was made by a mother and daughter group who meet every week to teach their children to knit and crochet.

Some groups needed extra help, and I'm so grateful for all the last minute squares produced to make up the gaps. Not to mention the last minute 'punk' blanket, held together with safety pins to replace one that didn't turn up at all.

Many thanks to my two assistants, Sabrina Begum and Vicky Cowin, without whom I couldn't have achieved anything. Huge thanks to the photographer, Steve Blunt, who also took the time lapse film which is just a work of art in itself.

Thanks to The Cass, London Metropolitan University for the support.

For more information about the project, please contact Gina Pierce. g.pierce@londonmet.ac.uk

Claire Whelan is a hand weaver based in London creating high quality bespoke fashion pieces, interior items and one off art pieces. 

Claire has recently moved into a studio space inside Central Parade, in Walthamstow east London and can be seen there weaving on most weekends within her open studio space.

A graduate of the BA Textile Design at The Cass, London Metropolitan University, she has returned to The Cass to pass on her skills as the weave technician.

Friday 26 May 2017

Thursday 15 June 2017

1-2.30pm
Constance Howard Gallery
Deptford Town Hall
 

Talking Textiles is a once monthly lunch time get-together for anybody interested in textiles or curious to find out more. A small selection of textiles from the Goldsmiths Textile Collection is available for viewing and discussion at the Constance Howard Gallery. 

http://www.gold.ac.uk/textile-collection/

The new book on Anna Maria Garthwaite from author and academic Zara Anishanslin cleverly links the designer to the wearer of the silk dress in the colony of Philadelphia, via the weaver and the portrait painter. Through following these connections, we can gain an insight into 18th century life, trade, culture and much more. 

zaraanishanslin.org

The most stunning textile exhibition. 

Victoria Miro Gallery. London March 2017

I visited Rebecca in her Old Street studio as part of my current review of The Fabric of the City. It was a pleasure to talk to Rebecca and see her surrounded by the sample books and swatches of colour that inspire her.

See Rebecca's website for projects and more information on current and past work.

www.rebeccahoyes.com

Students on the BA Textile Design Course at The Cass, Londonmet, recently received career advice from graduate, Stephanie Witts, half of the mother and daughter team who have set up as Witts Design, and are both alumni of the Course.

The talented duo operate their design business from this small but picturesque studio, now bursting at the seams with examples of their work. Demand is growing for their colourful and creative designs which continue the Course philosophy by working across both digital and hand print, for furnishing and fashion, all based on hand painted design work. With potential international projects as well as increasing demand here in the UK, the hard work and talent of this team is being recognised, and happily they are now able to offer internships to the next generation of students coming up.

Flora McLean has shared her new collection with us- as creative and original as ever, each one is a sculpture in its own right.

We can also see here her hat collection for designer Ashley Isham during London Fashion Week at the Freemason’s Hall in Great Queen Street. The pair have worked together for several seasons, and the show was very well received. Get that hat/light combo..

Tandemize is a 'not for profit' cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary program; that supports students and practitioners to develop the social and cultural impact of their creative practice. 

In 2015, Tandemize opened the opportunity to students and graduates  from architecture and jewellery to explore the possibilities of how cross-cultural learning can be taken into the public realm and encourage public participation.

Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London

Extensive exhibition of traditional textiles from the countries and regions along the Silk Route. A wonderful opportunity to see fabrics and clothing demonstrating highly skilled workmanship in embroidery, weave and natural dyeing.

The exhibition is free, and there is an accompanying lecture programme.

Finishes 25th March 2017

www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/embroidered-tales/

BA Textile Design knit, weave, stitch and mixed media work from all undergraduate years at Cass Summer Show until 18th June.

Central House, 59-63, Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PF

Studios:

Interrogating Surface

Ama DAPAAH

Harjit GILL

Janet J GRAY

Denise LEWIS

Georgia LIA

Abbie MALTHOUSE

Princessa MARCOLINO

Charys LOVE AKAMESSAN

Rosie  MIZUN

Beata RELIGA

Miriam SEISAY

Elliei WILLIAMS

Shamaila AKRAM

Afsiah ASGHAR

Sabrina BEGUM

Chloe BOYLE

Mariangela BRUNA

Vicki COWIN

Lucy FINLAY

Kulsuma KHANOM

Linda LE PARD

Beata STRYJECKA

Stephanie TANDOH

Miranda TONGEMAN

Pocket to Public

Sabreen ALI

Harriet BROOKS

Emma BUENO DE MESQUITA

Susanna GOGERTY

Roger MAROUII

Anna PAGE

Callum PARTRIDGE

Drasti PATEL

Jessica WARNER

Charlotte DANN

Noora LUHTALA

Maryiam MALIK

Sophie MISHIKU

Signtai MYRIE MULLINGS

Sophia SCHMIGOL

Alex SKJERDAL

Julia TRANDAFIR

Saskia VAN DER KNOLL

CODE

Yasmin AFIF

Santa AVOTINA

Sophie FORD

Milanda PEPOSHI

Jennifer REID

Lauren TAYLOR

Dominika WOJCIECHOWSKA

The Cass exhibited work from its Huguenot projects as part of Soho Create festival 2015. The exhibition in the Huguenot Church, Soho Square, included work from students of BA Architecture, Critical and Contextual Studies, FDA Furniture, BA Interior Design, BA Jewellery and Silversmithing, BA Textile Design and MA by Project.

The works included a ‘Two Person Guitar’ made by first year architecture students, ‘Spectacles’ made by second and third year jewellery and silversmithing students and a linen cloth worked with Huguenot inherited objects by an MA by Project alumna.

The display for Soho Create was part of a major project at The Cass focusing on Huguenots in east London and beyond. Students worked with Museum of London curator Beatrice Behlen and Huguenots of Spitalfields Society Charlie de Wet to research, design and make pieces inspired by the rich history of the Huguenots.

More information is available at the Soho Create website.

Following the Exhibition at The Cass, Gina Pierce was invited to curate a selection of exhibits in the foyer of KPMG in Canary Wharf. A generous donation by KPMG was made to the BA Textile Course at The Cass.