As we move into October, we are all aware of the shortening days, the lengthening nights and the chillier start to the days. We are enjoying something of an Indian summer at the moment and that allows for more time to get the gardens ready for the winter. I love this transition between the seasons when there’s still some warmth in the sun and yet a freshness to the air which is quite energising.
For me this is also a transition from spending time in the garden and returning to my sewing room to making a start on planning projects.
Inevitably that means going through ‘the stash’, to search out suitable fabrics and threads and revisiting books and magazines to help move my ideas forward.
If, like me, you are searching for inspiration, then what better time to join us for the
Sewing Room Sort Out Sale at Gotham Memorial Hall, Saturday October 10th from 10am – 1pm with free entry.
This is a great time to catch up with friends and snap up fabrics and sewing notions at bargain prices, all ready for your autumn and winter sewing projects. This is a cash only event but there is a cash point close by in case you get carried away! Car parking is available on site and the venue is on the No 1 bus route from Nottingham to Loughborough. Delicious cakes coffee and tea will be available. We look forward to seeing you there!If you wish to have a table at this event, it’s still not too late to book. They are available for £15.00 to non-members, but hurry – they are on a first come basis. Please contact to reserve a table.
Whilst I was thinking about threads and fibres, my attention was drawn to a new publication – Wild Nettles, from Foraging to Fibre by Brigitte Kaltenbacher. In this book Brigitte sets out to explore the history of this ancient wild fibre and brings it bang up to date with suggestions as to how to rediscover the unique properties of this unassuming plant, using the simplest of tools: sturdy gloves, secateurs and a blunt cutlery knife. Nettle plant fibre is enjoying renewed interest in the textile market, both for its fine quality and as a highly sustainable native plant which is widely available. Over centuries nettle fibre has been used for everything from heavy sailcloth to fine table linen. It is surprisingly fine and silky and was once traded as a luxury fibre – so far removed from the stinging plant in our gardens and hedgerows. Wild Nettles, from Foraging to Fibre is due to be published at the end of October.
Whilst on the subject of foraging, the textile artist Alice Fox uses a lot of foraged materials and natural fibres in her work. In her recent blog she made recommendations for the following books, which may be of interest: –
Foraged Basketry, working with wild and invasive plants by Delia Fian. This book is about making functional baskets using a variety of different plant materials
Off-Loom weaving (Lark and Bower) by Sarah Ward Podlesny. A book with appeal to both experienced weavers wishing to work away from the confines of a loom and to the non-weaver who wants to find a way into this craft.
Wild Basketry by Ruby Taylor (Native Hands). Making baskets and cordage from foraged plants. Alice Fox has also written two books: Wild Textiles and Wild Weave, both available from her online shop. Alice will also be showing her body of work Flaxen at the Knit and Stitch show at the Alexandra Palace this month (details below) and will be doing a gallery tour on the 8th October at 11am – Booking required.
The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is holding its biennial exhibition ‘A Festival of Flora and Fauna’ October 1st – 29th at The Rose Patterson Gallery, Weston-Super-Mare Park, Weston-Under-Lizard, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8LE. www.wsd.org.uk
Sarah Cooke will be showing several pieces of her work there so if you are in the area, or planning a day out, do go along and say hello to her.
Some other activities to consider this month –
Saturday 17th October – Clothes and Textile Repair Café, 1.30pm at The Museum of Making, Derby. This is an opportunity to take items to mend, to learn practical mending skills or work on craft projects This event is free, with a suggested donation of £3.00 but advance booking is required.
ArtSpace Loughborough present ‘About Time’ at the Sock Gallery Loughborough Town Hall, from 15th October to 19th November. With subjects as varied as nature, rocks, climate, family, inheritance, prolonged hospitalisation and Greek mythology, ArtSpace return to the Sock Gallery with a diverse show of new work. Free entry Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm and Sat 10am to 3pm.
Major Exhibitions and Shows
Ossie Clark /Celia Birtwell opens October 2 2026 to April 11th 2027 at the Fashion and Textile Museum, spotlighting the iconic 1960s and early 1970s rock and roll fashion prints and designs, Tuesdays-Saturdays 11am to 6pm. £12.65 https://fashiontextilemuseum.org
The Knit and Stitch Show at Alexandra Palace in London from October 8th to 11th, offering over 200 craft exhibitors, textile galleries and live demonstrations, Tickets from https://www.knitandstitchshow.co.uk/london
Schiaparelli: Fashion becomes Art until November 15th at the V&A, South Kensington, Weekdays £28.00 /weekends £30.00. Advance booking recommended. The UK’s first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to the present day.
Please remember to contact me to share details of your exhibitions, events, talks or workshops and reach out to a wide number of subscribers across the East Midlands and beyond.
And finally – the C word!! I saw my first offering of Mince pies in Sainsbury’s and the Co-op at the end of August and M&S have now opened their Christmas order line. Time for me to get those Brussel sprouts on the boil!!! Until next month, – happy stitching!
Maggie