During our recent Textile Takeover Day, held on October 11th, participants had the opportunity to engage in a variety of hands-on textile workshops led by our talented artists. Each session showcased unique techniques designed to inspire attendees to explore textile arts and to consider how they might incorporate sustainable practices into their own creative journeys. We’re excited to share highlights from the day along with beautiful illustrations by Toni Louise Carter (TLC Illustration), who captured the essence of each technique along with some eye-opening statistics about textile waste.
1. Upcycling with Nick
Nick’s workshop focused on upcycling sections of the old Runcorn mural. Participants were shown how to creatively repurpose these materials into new textile art, sparking ideas for how they could reuse local resources in their own projects.
Nick's Top Tip: "Never throw anything away; save your leftovers!"
2. Sashiko with Courtney
Courtney introduced guests to sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique characterised by its simple running stitch. By demonstrating this method, Courtney encouraged participants to embrace the idea of mending and making repairs, inspiring them to incorporate these practices into their own work.
Courtney's Top Tip: "Pick a colour that brings you joy; don't be afraid to stand out!"
3. Indigo Dyeing with Cathy
Cathy's indigo dyeing workshop was a highlight, where attendees learned the art of dyeing fabric to achieve stunning blue tones. Through her demonstration, Cathy inspired participants to appreciate the natural process of dyeing and consider its impact on sustainability.
Cathy's Top Tip: "Tie it tightly; play around with objects!"
4. Rag Rugging with Rachael
Rachael's rag rugging session provided a practical approach to creating beautiful rugs from scrap fabric. Participants learned how to weave leftover materials into new pieces, reinforcing the value of reusing textiles.
Rachael's Top Tip: "Cut your thin fabrics wider and your thick fabrics thinner!"
The Bigger Picture: Textile Waste Awareness
Toni Louise Carter has also created a separate illustration highlighting some concerning statistics around textile waste. It’s estimated that 18,000 tonnes of textiles are discarded across the Merseyside area each year. In Halton, 5.5% of general waste bins consist of textiles, with over 82% of this waste having the potential to be recycled or reused.
These statistics remind us of the importance of sustainable practices in our daily lives. By participating in workshops like these, we can all play a part in reducing waste and promoting creativity.
Supporting Our Mission: Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA)
The Textile Takeover Day was made possible with funding from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). MRWA plays a crucial role in managing waste resources and promoting sustainability across the Liverpool City Region. Serving over 1.5 million residents, MRWA advocates for zero waste, the circular economy, and effective waste management. Their commitment to reducing climate change impacts aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering sustainable art practices within our community.
We’re grateful to all the participants and artists who made Textile Takeover Day a success. The demonstrations provided by our artists were just the beginning, inspiring everyone to try these techniques themselves and consider joining us for future workshops.
You can see the highlights from the day beautifully photographed by Lauren Quayle in our other blog post here.
Stay tuned for more creative opportunities at Hazlehurst Studios!
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