at Mimosa House, curated by @design_school_cliche, in response to Chapter IV: Care and Kinship of Mimosa House’s exhibition transfeminisms “絲” (the traditional Chinese character for “silk”) is a homonym of “撕,” which evokes the act of tearing apart, yet also suggests re-construction and binding of cloth. This duality ties into the workshop’s focus: a meditative inquiry into object memory, ancestry, and heritage, using back strap looms tethered to one another as a repetitive vehicle to elicit intimate reflections around femininity, care, and labour. In this three-hour workshop, participants were invited to hold tension in their bodies and redirect energy into anchoring themselves within the actions and movements of weaving. They collaboratively wove using thread and incense sticks with a heddle reed, exploring the intersections of weaving, collective making, and meditation, attuned to themes of resilience and healing.
See here for more information.
at Thames-Side Studios Woolwich Open
An accessible tapestry-style weaving workshop suited for beginners of all ages, where participants weave using simple cardboard looms or an object, such as sticks or rocks.
See here for more information.
at Free Books Festival, hosted by Free Books Campaign, in collaboration with Synonym Lab
Community tapestry weaving using wool roving and yarn waste.
at Take Up Space (A Particular Reality), Goldsmiths Centre of Contemporary Art Residents’ Space
& Loose Ends (Lily German), Thames-Side Studios Gallery
Using sheer muslin and similarly coloured thread, participants begin the session with somatic breathwork and reading of a selected poem. Thereafter participants are asked to stitch into the fabric and are at liberty to manipulate however they want, through thread, darning, cutting holes, embroidery, crochet, etc. Impressions made previously into the cloth could also be further manipulated, forming a dense and non-static map that reflects the memory of their own thoughts and movements at that particular juncture in time.
See here for posters.
at Constance Howard Gallery (Goldsmiths Textile Collection/Goldsmiths Library), Deptford Town Hall
Stitch circle is a weekly Wednesday stitching get-together in which participants come by and take part in any textile craft, such as embroidery, crochet, knit, tatting, etc. This is casual and communal, where participants chat with one another over tea and snacks, sometimes with book and sample references, while making textile work. The aim is not to teach, but to create or plan textile work in a group/communal setting, allowing for advice, collaboration, and experimentation. If required by participants, however, advice pertaining to technique and style is offered in the likes of embroidery, pattern cutting, stitch, knit, crochet, weaving, and concept.
During special occasions, different themes are offered.
See here for posters and flyers.