West Dean College

West Dean College is one of the only colleges offering full time postgraduate study in Tapestry and Textile Art in the UK. Full-time Visual Arts students can work across disciplines or specialise in Tapestry and Textile Art at a number of different academic levels: graduate and postgraduate diplomas, both one-year programs; and a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree. The College offers several scholarships to talented students. For all enquiries relating to graduate and postgraduate study at West Dean College please contact the Academics Office +44 (0)1243 818291 or diplomas@westdean.org.uk. Download an application form at www.westdean.org.uk/college/apply.

For those who enjoy creating fine art textiles or something beautiful to wear or for the home, West Dean college offers many versatile and absorbing techniques as part of a short course programme including screenprinting, hand and machine embroidery, sewing and quilting, silk painting, tapestry weaving, lacemaking, hand knitting and crochet, leatherwork and more.

Thanks to a very generous donation West Dean College can now offer Textile Short Course bursaries. These bursaries are available to help undergraduate students or recent graduates who would not otherwise be able to study at the College.

Brighton Fashion and Textile School

Brighton Fashion and Textile School (BFaTS) offers a City & Guilds accredited course in Patchwork and Quilting. Students can choose to study at Certificate or Diploma level on a two year part-time course. Students choose their own design theme to develop finished pieces of work as well as producing a portfolio of samples and design development. There is also a chance to exhibit work at a final year show.

Sara Cook is a qualified and experienced tutor and an accredited Quilt Judge teaching at the City & Guilds approved centre, BFaTS. Students are regularly shortlisted into the City & Guilds Quilters Guild Bursary Award at the Festival of Quilts.

Also offered are a variety of other short non-accredited courses in Brighton. Sara specialises in Bojagi, Korean Patchwork and is offering both traditional and contemporary workshops in this exciting subject.

For more information about applying for one of these courses contact Sara Cook on 07816 987268 or saracook@brightonfashionandtextileschool.com or go the website www.brightonfashionandtextileschool.com to see examples of student work.

S.E.W – Society for Embroidered Work. 

Founded by Cat Frampton and Emily Tull, S.E.W aims to ‘promote and support artists who have an element of stitching in their art works. This includes hand or machine embroidery. They also host exhibitions to ‘show the art world that stitched art is art!’ www.societyforembroideredwork.com

The National Centre for Craft & Design

The NCCD is the largest venue in England entirely dedicated to the exhibition, celebration, support and promotion of national and international contemporary craft and design.

Under one roof, the five gallery spaces showcase up to 20 world-class exhibitions every year from the most innovative, challenging and accomplished artists to new and emerging talent.

There is also a stimulating learning programme inspiring people of all ages, skills and interest levels and a shop which is a cultural haven for the latest contemporary handmade products

www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

It can be hard to find books that focus on textiles.  One publisher who produces a good selection full of practical advice and inspiration is Batsford. A leading publisher of textile, practical art and fashion illustration books, their textile titles cover a range of disciplines including embroidery, quilting and felting. Working with some of the world’s best artists and illustrators, their books are for both the professional and the enthusiast. Their best-known authors include Millie Marotta and Cas Holmes.

www.batsford.com

Katie Vandyck – Website Design and Photography 

In an age where we are bombarded by hundreds of images a day you need to make your art and business stand out. Entire careers can be made by your online presence. Katie Vandyck can help you create or improve your websites, from a single landing page to a fully functioning beautiful must visit site.

She is also an award winning photographer and has worked closely with many textile artists and artists. Visit her website to find out more and read her useful ‘Tips for Photographing Textiles.’

https://katievandyckwebsites.co.uk

Sew Essential

Sew Essential is a one stop online sewing superstore for all your sewing and dressmaking needs. Founded by a Mother and Son partnership in 2004 from their family home the business has grown to feature a range of over 20,000 products including sewing machines, sewing patterns, habberdashery, sewing tools and gadgets, fabrics and more.

A business born out of a love of sewing the ethos of the company remains the same – for sewers by sewers. We love and use our products and share sewing tips and advice via our social media channels including our blog, vlog, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

www.sewessential.co.uk

The Handweavers Studio & Gallery

This is a treasure trove for weavers, spinners, felters, dyers, embroiderers … in short, for everyone who loves threads and fibres.

They stock an extensive range of materials and equipment for the whole world of fibre art and textile crafts – yarns for weavers and knitters; fancy threads for embroiderers; merino tops, fleece and fibre for spinners andfelters … the list goes on. There are also shuttles, looms, spinning wheels, tassel moulds and a host of other equipment, large and small.

They also have an extensive workshop programme and run regular weaving classes.

140 Seven Sisters Road, London, N7 7NS

Tel: 020 7272 1891

Open Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm

www.handweavers.co.uk

R&A Collaborations

R&A Collaborations are Richard Foot and Arron Fowler. “We tell stories of arts, crafts and making through short documentary films. We are passionate about the makers of fine and wonderful things. We make adverts without ego and advocate however we can through social media and beyond.”

www.racollaborations.co.uk

www.facebook.com/racollaborations