JULY WORKSHOPS + EVENTS

We haven't set any dates yet for our Sunday classes at Fabrications, but we will be at the following events:

Saturday 4th July - 'Holloway Arts Festival' - Big Day out in Whittington Park (off Holloway Road) 2 - 6pm

Come and make yourself a fantastical knitted boa or scarf fit for the queen of Hearts or the Mad Hatter. Learn how to use our giant French knitting wheels and knitting needles using all kinds of pre prepared fancy chunky, fluffy and fancy yarns. (FREE)
This year's festival has an Alice in Wonderland theme. http://www.hollowayartsfestival.co.uk/

Saturday 11th July - 'EC1 Summer Festival' - King Square Gardens (opposite St Luke's centre) 12 - 5pm

More Giant knitting! Come and get creative and knit large with Katherine Grace.
All equipment and materials provided. (FREE)
www.yourec1.com/summerfestival.html

Saturday 11th + Sunday 12th July - 'Newham Mayor's show' - Central Park, High Street South, East Ham E6 2 - 8pm

Come and visit us in the craft and hobbies tent!
For yes you've guessed it - Giant knitting!
We will also be running an eco bag making workshop. Transform an old t-shirt into a shopping bag and customise it with our pick n mix of haberdashery delights. (FREE)
www.newham.com/summer


Mrs Bear has invited me back for another of her lovely 'Make Do and Mend' evenings on Wednesday 8th July at the Flea Pit, 49 Columbia Road, E2, 7.30pm til late. £5 entrance fee. Includes a swap shop (bring 10 items), live demo's and alterations, and more thrifty delights!

I will be doing Rosette / corsage making and promoting my brand new 'Rethink Rubbish' craft Kits (Learn to weave, knit your own mp3 / phone case, make your own recycled rosette, sustainable gift wrapping)
These kits are now available at Fabrications and are being picked by other shops, including The Barbican!

Beside Textile Project

'A Journey towards mental wellbeing and wholeness'

Mental Health action week 12 - 18th April

Please visit the Ideas Store this month to see some fantastic textile pieces from a project I am very proud to have been a part of. I was approached by Beside last year to facilitate a collaborative textile banner with their members.

Beside is a Tower Hamlets based charity working with people who have recurrent or long term mental health difficulties. Their aim is to enable their members to rediscover their inner resources and develop strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing

After a series of 'taster' sessions in crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, feltmaking, knitting, rosette making, weave, we explored the theme of the project through drawing and debating! The discussion around ideas of 'wellbeing' was very insightful and provocative and triggered

lots of thoughts and approaches for the banner.

Once a foundation design was settled upon, each week the piece has evolved into a visualy and conceptualy strong statement as well as a great display of feltmaking and embroidery skills.

Some of you may have seen the group adding the last touches to the piece for the last month at Fabrications on a Wednesday afternoon. So if you're in Whitechapel please call by the library and shop for some ideas around mental health.

WORKSHOPS - March, April + May

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT Come and join Barley Massey and Sue Russell at The Barbican on Saturday 7th March

11 - 12.30pm Make felt juggling balls

3 - 4.30pm Learn to weave on simple bamboo frames

£5 per workshop for further info and bookings visit www.barbican.org.uk/different

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Incase you missed Barley and Sue on the Saturday! Remember and celebrate women's achievements at The Old Town Hall, Stratford E15 4BQ on Sunday 8th March 2 - 6pm There will be lots of FREE activities.

We will be Creating rosettes, scarves, sashes in the colours of Green (Hope), White (Purity) + Violet (Dignity) These colours were also linked with the Suffrage movement (Give Women Vote)

WORKSHOPS AT FABRICATIONS: (£20 / £15 conc per session, includes a kit) * * BOOKING REQUIRED * *

BEGINNERS KNITTING

Sunday 15th + 29th March, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING

Sunday 5th April, 2 - 4.30pm

This classes led by Rachael Matthews is tailored to what YOU want to learn! She will also incorporate info on how to read knitting patterns, shaping, increasing + decreasing, creating your own patterns, textures, 3d knitting as well as general support, advice and tips. You will need to know the basics (casting on + off, Knit + pearl) in order to make the most of this session.

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 19th April, 2 - 4.30pm

Get started, refresh or improve your techniques. Learn to crochet in rows, circular or 3d objects. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael Matthews' straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started
and inspired.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 26th April, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

BIG KNITTING (intermediate+)
Sunday 3rd May, 2 - 4.30pm

Leave Fabrications with your very own designer accessory
(this could be a scarf or wrap - your choice!)
This creative session will be led by Barley Massey and focusses on working on GIANT knitting needles, GIANT french knitting stools
and yes GIANT circular needles.
There will be lots of interesting chunky yarns, tassles, corsage making tool etc to design and create with.

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING (best foot forward)
Sunday 10th May, 2 - 4.30pm

There has been a lot of interest expressed in learning to knit socks + gloves. If this interest is still around then this could be a special session that focusses on working on 4 needles to create leg warmers, socks,
gloves or other 3d knitted objects (with Rachael Matthews)

HAND EMBROIDERY, EMBELLISHING + CUSTOMISING
Sunday 17th May, 2 - 4.30pm

Learn simple hand sewing techniques, which can be used for repairs, alterations and decoratively. I am open to ideas for the session - I can demonstrate different embroidery stitches, cross stitching + tapestry, applique, sequining, cut work.
Applied to garments or making pictures and gifts.

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 24th May, 2 - 4.30pm

Get started, refresh or improve your techniques. Learn to crochet in rows, circular or 3d objects. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael Matthews' straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started
and inspired.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 31st May, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

JANUARY + FEBUARY WORKSHOPS

Happy New Year to you!
In this chillsome weather it's time to get cosy and crafty!
Each session is at the shop, lasts 2 1/2 hrs and costs £20 / £15 conc. This includes a kit with everything you need for the session and yours to keep at the end.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 25th January, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

MENDING + DARNING PARTY
Sunday 1st February, 2 - 4.30pm

Mend them holes! Customise an old item of clothing and breathe new life into it! Make simple alterations for a made to measure look!

Bring along your old yet treasured clothes and learn a range of simple hand sewing, darning, embelishing and alteration techniques and tricks.

INTERMEDIATE + ADVANCED KNITTING
Sunday 8th February, 2 - 4.30pm

This classes led by Rachael Matthews is tailored to what YOU want to learn!
She will also incorporate info on how to read knitting patterns, shaping, increasing + decreasing, creating your own patterns, textures, 3d knitting as well as general support, advice and tips.
You will need to know the basics (casting on + off, Knit + pearl) inorder to make the most of these session.

QUICK KNIT SCARF/SHRUG or accessory (intermediate+)
Sunday 15th February, 2 - 4.30pm

Wrap up warm and leave Fabrications with your very own designer scarf, shrug or wrap around! This creative session will be led by Barley Massey and Katherine Grace and focusses on working on GIANT knitting needles, GIANT french knitting stools and yes GIANT circular needles.
There will be lots of interesting chunky yarns, tassles, corsage making tool etc to design and create with.

BEGINNERS KNITTING
Sunday 22nd February, 2 - 4.30pm

Getting started with Barley Massey - Learn how to Cast On, Knit + Pearl Stitch, introducing a new colour and of course casting off!

CROCHET (Beginners + Improvers)
Sunday 1st March, 2 - 4.30pm

Create a crochet daffodil the national flower of Wales during this special St David's Day session led by Rachael Matthews. All levels of crocheters are welcome. Rachael's straightforward, fun and freestyle approach will get you started and inspired.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and New Year!

Thankyou for all your support and custom this year!


FABRICATIONS RE OPENING TIMES 2009

Saturday 3rd January :
OPEN as usual

Tuesday 5th – Wednesday 7th January :
CLOSED

Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th :
OPEN as usual

Tuesday 13th – 14th Wednesday January :
CLOSED

From Thursday 15th January:
BUSINESS AS USUAL!

Not another rubbish Christmas!

Enhance your gift this Christmas with reusable wrapping offered by Hackney designer Barley Massey. Barley has teamed up with ‘Vintage for Sale’ on Brick Lane to bring a personalised gift wrapping service that won’t cost the earth!

Gifts will be beautifully wrapped and knotted around using vintage head scarves and the art of ‘Furoshiki’ – a traditional Japanese technique used to wrap and carry objects using fabric.
There will also be the opportunity to decorate by creating your own individual rosette, badge or tag made from old ties, lace, ribbons and envelopes.

The service will be available at:

Barley Massey’s shop ‘Fabrications’ on Broadway Market during all of December. Including at Broadway Market’s late night Thursdays (11th + 18th December) Xmas shopping event.

‘Hidden Art Design Fair’ in Truman’s Brewery, Hanbury Street / Brick Lane from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th November

‘Eco Design Fair’, in the Boiler House, Brick Lane on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December.

Hackney Sweet Hackney

Hackney based artist Clare Sams (previously Murphy) has produced new knitted pictures, which will be on show at Fabrications from Tuesday 4th - Sunday 16th November.
We will be having an opening at Fabrications on Friday 7th November 6 - 9pm. Come and say hello to Clare!

Some of you will have come across Clare's knitted tableaux previuosly at Fabrications, in the form of Hackney incidents including 'The Hackney Siege', 'The fire at E. Gibbons' and '5 steps to an art inferno' (fire at Momart's warehouse)
as well as her knitted "I Love Hackney" purses and " Hackney Sweet Hackney" samplers which we stock as regularly as Clare can knit them!

Clare’s new hand knitted works depict some of Hackneys renowned street people. Eccentric and living on the fringes of society, these impoverished people walk the same streets as more fortunate residents. The familiar local landmarks against which these characters are set will resonate with people from all walks of life in this eclectic borough.