Textiles

We offer the opportunity to learn and develop a wide range of skills and the chance to work with a variety of materials and specialist equipment. Heathlands encourages the development of each individual's work and we undertake lots of group projects: Since 2011 we have undertaken an annual quilt project; these quilts are a great opportunity to expand and develop our skills and try out new techniques. The quilts are exhibited at The Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham and are seen by over 20,000 visitors.

We are always keen to exhibit and share our work and have taken part in national projects such as Access Arts Village project (2017) which toured the UK and Thread Bearing Witness’s project ‘Stitch a Tree’ (2018) which has been on display in Manchester and Winchester. Some of our members have even exhibited internationally, with work being selected for the Big-I exhibition in Japan.
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Some of the techniques we use in Textiles include hand and machine embroidery, weaving, felt making, screen printing, dyeing and sewing. We have a great range of equipment including sewing machines, an embellisher (needle felting machine) and a table loom. We actively encourage everyone to try new things and to practise their skills, enabling them to create beautiful and unique work. We also strongly encourage peer to peer learning, with members taking a leading role and sharing their skills with each other.