Julie Arkell Workshop in Stroud

I have been away for the weekend on a Julie Arkell workshop in Stroud. It was organised as part of the Stroud Textile Festival (www.stroudwatertextiles.org.uk) which continues to host events through out the year. Julie runs few courses and lots of people want to work with her so I was very lucky to get a place. It was so nice to just sit and hand sew for 2 days, using old bits and pieces to create brooches, little rabbits and other quirky creatures. The old fabrics,  pretty haberdashery bits and pieces that everyone brought were just as inspiring. The work I am showing here is all by the students taking part in the course.

Rag Dolls

I have been making rag dolls. At the moment they haven't got noses but they are coming along. The next stage is to name them. I am reluctant to let them go because they have taken me so long to make and are made of many of my most precious pieces of "rags".

I

Mandy Pattullo

This is my favourite. Most people who come into my studio prefer long hair on the dolls but I think this little top knot gives her a bit more attitude.

Mandy Pattullo

 This one has a bodice made of fabric designed by my friend Jayne Bone. Her hair was borrowed from a Wensleydale sheep.

Mandy Pattullo

This yellow skirt is from a quilt top which I unpicked. It is very fragile and threadbare.

Mandy Pattullo

Blue and white antique patchwork skirt. 

Mandy Pattullo

I'm not sure about the hair on this one and may change it. The skirt is made from a piece of unpicked quilt and the legs are genuine Harris Tweed - it was a nightmare to turn inside out.

Christmas Fairy

I have been making rag dolls this week using old bits and pieces. With a bit of holly and a makeshift star this one has become a Christmas Fairy and a model for the promotional postcard for the Hearth Christmas Open Studios event on November 28th and 29th (www.thehearth.co.uk). She has a turkey red quilted skirt.