A rather splendid sample by Nadine. Here I am FINALLY, sorry this has been delayed. Have had a bit of a struggle with WIFI access while I am traveling in New Zealand. It can be a problem uploading a lot of photos. The 7th weekend of Experimental Textiles is a 'students choice'. The group negotiate what they would like to learn. I have to put my hands up to guiding them towards working with metal. It is a great material to work with, the girls had a fun time working with all the supplies they brought into class. A great bundle of fun to sort out and manipulate. Different metal shims, embossed or coloured with alcohol inks. Embossed copper embossed and cut to shape. Of course - sweet papers were an integral part of the workshop. This was a fun table full of materials - an old vegetable rack, tin foil and packs of covered metal wire. These samples were made by layering different metal shims with washers. Drinks cans came in very use...

One of Val's samples from the 'Backgrounds and Pretties' technique. Session 8 of Experimental Textiles is a student choice. The groups negotiate with me what they would like to do - I become their resource.  Half of the Thursday/Friday group wanted to catch up with workbooks and the other half wanted to try my 'backgrounds and pretties' technique. The Saturday/Sunday group just wanted do the 'backgrounds and pretties'. But first it was time to look at the homework - this takes longer every session. It is a great opportunity for the groups to discuss the work with each other. We had a great laugh when Kate brought in 'It'. We have christened it 'It' as we already have a 'Thing' by Rachael. 'It' by Kate. 'It' started life as a weaving supported on chicken wire that became rounded at Kate worked on it. She decided to make the piece totally enclosed and started to stitch into 'It'. 'It...

A fabulous hoard. Sessions seven, eight and nine of Experimental textiles are students choice. These sessions are negotiated within the groups and with myself. The groups decided they would like to work with metal on the first day of the session and have a go at working with painted Bondaweb and Tyvek on the second day. The girls brought all manner of metals to experiment with, and I supplied various wires and mesh. It is important that the students learn to work with resistant materials as well as fabrics and thread. The contrast of hard and soft can set off great ideas. Copper sheet that has been transfer printed. Alcohol inks were used to colour this copper sheet. 2 pieces of copper sheet, both textured and coloured with alcohol inks. Transfer printed copper sheet that has been embossed. Alcohol inks . . .  . . and more. Copper mesh heat treated and wrapped around a piece of lead. Strips of transfer printed copper woven and ...