Living Textiles Workshop with Beth Williams

Free sewing workshops for residents of Bewbush, Broadfield and West Green:

If you'd like to learn or develop your practical sewing skills, explore your creativity, and gain confidence in a welcoming, supportive environment then come and join us for fun and friendly fashion and sewing workshops. There are five workshops, every Thursday early evening from 15th January. You can come along for one or two or sign up for all five sessions.

Thanks to support from the Shared Prosperity Fund administered by Crawley Council, it's absolutely free for people who live in Bewbush, Broadfield and West Green. We can even cover your bus fare if transport would otherwise be a barrier to you taking part.These relaxed, fun, hands-on workshops are for beginners through to more advanced makers, and for all ages over 18 yrs.

They’re run by Sophie Marriner and Beth Williams, talented young artists who are making a living using their skills and creativity and love being able to work in their hometown. They’d love to help local people to make things and save money by mending, making, altering and blinging up clothes to give them a new lease of life. You might even be inspired to start making clothes, bags or soft toys to sell yourself. Sophie and Beth would love to talk about how they sell what they make and earn their living as artists and makers.

Getting theatre: West Green Studios is opposite Crawley hospital, right next to the bus stop for routes 1, 3, 23 and Fastway 10.Please email [email protected] for more information.

What is ‘Living Textiles’?

Living Textiles is sub section of biodesign. Biodesign doesn’t really have a set definition it’s a new and ever evolving discipline. It is design that collaborates, or work in symbiosis, with existing biological systems. Usually with the aim to create new technologies that challenge Climate change, the depletion of natural resources and even give back to the environment.

This workshop will show you how to get started with embedding seeds into your textiles through either felting, crochet, knitting or embroidery. Tips on how to choose a plant that will work with the textiles structure, how to nurture its growth and how to dispose of it.

Materials

We will use selection of natural fibres, both plant based and animal based. Wool, silk and animal fibres. For your seeds to grow you need air flow, so choosing breathable materials is a must. You also want to choose something that won’t have toxins that harm the seeds. Of course you can try with any materials! Sustainable fashion is more than just synthetic vs. Natural materials.

The Artist

Led by Beth Williams - a designer and artist based between Crawley/London who specialises in living textiles, bio design and knitwear. Beth has trained at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and currently has a piece on display in the 'Material Worlds' exhibition at Kew Gardens. Their aim is to reconnect their audience to nature by exploring new innovative material and techniques; with the hopes of shifting ideas around the consumption of fashion and textiles.

At checkout you have the option to donate £10 as a pay it forward ticket, this will allow local Crawley residents to attend who may not otherwise be able to access this workshop. Please consider donating if you can.

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