Workshops

Claire Branfield
“The Art of Zandra Rhodes: six decades of fashion”.

Claire will be bringing part of her collection of vintage dresses to show you, assembled over the last twenty five years. Since Claire’s retirement (thirty years in the Devon Library service!) she has been visiting local organisations to share her treasures, and to talk about the seven decades long career of fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes. You will have the opportunity to examine and handle the fabrics and construction of these fabulous garments.

Madeleine Millington

I have always enjoyed using recycled, natural fabrics. Long before it became part of the ‘ Slow Stitch’ movement I worked for over 25 years recycling and dying old wool blankets. Running workshops and giving talks about blanket applique, using simple stitches. I like simple stitches such as running, couching, stab…mark making. Having left the very enjoyable medium of blankets behind, I have now turned my interest towards old, worn linen sheets. It is not unusual, therefore to turn towards Kantha work, which uses layers of discarded cloth and threads unravelled from old sari cloth…and simple stitches.

Brenda Duplock – Lavender Wands

My career was in IT so I spent most of my time with technology. In my spare time I’ve dabbled with various needlecrafts, never to a high standard, but able to enjoy my creative side.

I was introduced to Lavender Wands by my daughter who started making them during her participation in Tudor Re-Enactments. The Tudors didn’t create these wands, the craft having been developed in 18^th Century Provence, but they did use lavender as the ‘Herb of Cleanliness & Calm’.

I enjoy making them during that brief period in June & July when the Lavender is in bloom and appreciate the perfume during the rest of the year when opening drawers or taking items from the linen cupboard.

I hope you will too.