Sewing for Pleasure Show

Despite finding it a bit of a scrum last time, I decided to go to the Sewing for Pleasure Show at the NEC today. I went with my usual local coach company (A & P Travel) and Alan, the driver/owner did a good job of navigating the traffic to get us into the NEC by 11 am. I thought that this time I would go to the exhibition stands first and even take in a lecture and worry about shopping later.

I started my visit with a cuppa (what else?) and a peruse of the Show Guide and then had a wander round the exhibitors.

These costumes are an example of the work of the company designing for "Strictly Come Dancing"" and Dancing on Ice" television shows. These costumes look stunning on the TV under the studio lights and they certainly sparkled on the display.

Close by was this wonderful knitted Gingerbread House which is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Around 500 women from the UK, USA, Canada and Spain have taken part in knitting this.

This stunning piece was part of the "Stitch in Time" exhibit staged by the Quilters Guild of the British Isles which was inspired by Staircase House. You can read about it below.

I think it is the concept of the design of this piece that most knocks me out.

The two photos above show work by a group of 6 textile artists known as "Visions". Each artist took the title "Shades of...." and interpreted it in her own way. I absolutely love the buildings described in wonderful textures above. Hopefully blogger will enlarge it so you can see all its details. The cream pieces above are embroidered felt and depict shades of the garden. This group originates in Leicestershire but is starting up a group in Nottingham later this year so I will be ending an e-mail to register my interest as it will be good to get together with other textile artists. (Hark at me, textile artist! I can hardly swing a needle!)

You've seen this book before as I bought it some time ago but I took the opportunity today to go to a short lecture by Kim (who pronounces her name Ti-ti-cheye). The talk didn't follow the line I expected but was nonetheless interesting and Kim is very entertaining. Kim works with commercially produced products like lutradur, tyvek and bondaweb and also with recycled sweet wrappers, florists cellophane, cellophane greeting card sleeves, plastic bags, decorated paper bags...... All of these commodities she manipulates with heat. I have her book but, as usual, I have not yet found the time to explore it fully.

Needless to say, I indulged in a little retail therapy (well, what else is a day out for?) but the light was too poor by the time I got home so I'll confess all tomorrow!

PS While I was Googling Visions I came across this amazing site which looks well worth a proper look.