Create a Historically Inspired tie-on Pocket

Your Illuminated Arts hosts are textile-artist-historian Melissa Jo Smith and internationally recognized textile designer Rebecca Cole. They will guide you through each stage, ending with a personalized pocket to cherish.

• Learn about the hidden history of women’s tie-on pockets in the 18th and 19th Centuries, how they crossed strata of society, got entangled in politics and contributed to women’s autonomy..
• Dive into a sumptuous spread of fabrics, colourful embroidery threads, beads, and trimmings to use and inspire your personal pocket design.
• Enjoy the process of designing your own pocket, inspired by colour, history or a personal story using decorative textile and stitch techniques.

Break for a light vegetarian lunch, fresh juices, and a glass of wine. 

• Complete the decorative embellishments for your pocket
• Build your fully lined pocket, with a beautiful waist-tie.

We aim for each participant to leave with either a completed pocket, or, in the case of more time-consuming embellishments, everything they need to complete the pocket at home.

A portion of every ticket sold directly supports Illuminated Arts current project to provide workshops for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, culminating in a community Pocket Parade at The Queen's House in Greenwich and an exhibition of pockets in Spring 2026.

Join us and carry home a piece of history— your personal tie-on pocket, stitched with your own story.

Skill level: At least a basic knowledge of stitching/embroidery is ideal, we work with you to build your existing skills and look at new approaches to familiar techniques..

Venue:

Cherry Garden Hall - Bermondsey. 10am - 4pm

All materials supplied but feel free to bring along your own sewing kit, fabrics and threads to supplement these.

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Host or Publisher Illuminated Arts