A Journey through the Knitting and Stitching Show

Mrs Stewart told us about a recent trip for the GCSE and A Level Textiles girls, plus the Art Scholars.

"We arrived, for the first time ever this year, in plenty of time and waited in the queue for the Knitting and Stitching Show to open on its inaugural day.

Off we went and the ones in the know (us) headed straight for the back of all the halls to where the graduate showcase was. We were eager to see the newly graduated 'best of the bunch' of embroidery and textiles students, as recognised by the Royal School of Needlework.

Then we made our way back through the increasingly busy halls to find established artists’ exhibitions, shopping for yarns, fabrics, beads and trimmings, all the time gathering inspiration for current and future GCSE and A Level textiles and art projects.

Highlights included an exhibition by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, well-established artists who have worked together writing books and creating work for over 30 years. Newly established artists were also there including Jessica Grady (each year, our Year III girls complete a 3D recycled embroidery project inspired by her pieces).

We saw new and innovative pieces, using a variety of mixed media incorporated into textiles including ceramics, found objects, reflective tape and fabric, as well as recycling the weird and wonderful into amazing pieces of art.

Everybody returned enthusing about pieces they had seen, artists they had spoken to, and work that has inspired them."

"My favourite discovery of today was the Cone Exchange, a charity project that aims to recycle donated goods such as fabric sample books and donated pieces of fabric. I bought a lovely yarn cake made from three different machine-knitting yarns bundled together."Mrs Stewart, trip leader.

"The day was thoroughly inspiring, it gave me so many new ideas for my own personal work that I won’t have the time to get it all done." Jen (UVI)

"One of my favourite pieces [below]." Emma (Year V)

"I was greatly inspired by a broad range of versatile pieces. Vivid colours, gorgeous craftsmanship and exciting concepts with meaningful backstories. I was particularly inspired by the ‘Domestic Dusters’- a piece on women and their role in society which is greatly influential to my topic of ‘women empowerment’."

Lydia (UVI) - Art Scholar

Michelle (UVI)

"Today has been a good day. I got the chance to talk to artists in person. I got some inspiration from a majority of the pieces and artists. Here are some of my favorite pieces."

"It has been such a nice day going to the Knitting and Stitching show again this year. The work from the grad students is amazing and very inspiring."

Cindy (Year V) and Isabella (Year IV)