Knitting and Stitching Show

We had just missed the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham but just by luck we were able to go to the last day of the Knitting and Stitching Show. Although I am not into knitting anymore (not enough hours in the day as it is) the information promised felting and other textiles so we decided to take the side trip. I wasn't disappointed.

There was a wonderful Artists in Action section which had hard working and fascinating artists printing and painting and stamping fabrics.






Here is Ruth Issett in action and a shot of her exhibition (taken with permission of her husband as photography was not allowed)



Jean Littlejohn and Jan Beaney had an exhibition of their recent works based on their trip to Australia (wish I had known they were there).

There were incredible exhibitions of the more incredible examples of embroidery and printed fabrics. I particularly enjoyed seeing the exhibition of tapestry designs for Ehrman Tapestries and speaking to the artist Raymond Honeyman. His painted patterns were absolutely astounding in their detail and creativity and I would have loved to take one home.


I did a brief mixed media workshop with Claire Martin and had a chat with quite a few artists whose work I have long admired and some who are now definitely on my list.

It was really interesting to see that even exhibitions on the other side of the world suffer the same problems as we find in Australia. Sundays are just as quiet at these shows which although was great for us (no crowds) it must have been really boring for the traders.