Workshops for textile, patchwork and quilting groups

I travel to textile groups around the UK, offering a variety of specialist workshops inspired by my love of African textiles and design.

Outside the UK I've taught in France and I've recently been invited to do a series of workshops and talks in Kenya.

The only workshops I run at home are my annual summer Indigo days, see below.

Hooked On Indigo Workshops 2010

Experiment with Indigo dyeing in my garden overlooking the Pennines in Meltham, West Yorkshire. You'll learn the art of dyeing fabric with Indigo using a variety of resist techniques.

All workshops are limited to 6 per class. Over the years, these workshops have been very popular and successful, so please book early.

10 am to 4 pm. Tea and coffee provided. Please bring your own lunch.

Workshop Fee 2010

£35 per person, includes Indigo dyes. All you need to bring is the fabric you want to dye, an apron or old clothes and of course, your Marigolds!

27 Jul and 31 Jul : Beginners' Class - Get Hooked!

You'll learn the art of dyeing fabric with Indigo using a variety of resist techniques.

28 Jul : Master Class - For those already hooked!

For those who have already done the beginners' class. You'll delve deeper into resist techniques with further experimentation. As some techniques require extensive preparation time, some students prefer to prepare some pieces in advance of the class, using knowledge from the previous year's beginner class. I'm happy to discuss techniques before the class, by phone or email.

Workshops By Arrangement

If you have a group of six and would like to arrange your own Indigo workshop, please contact me.

Email: Magie Relph

Phone: 01484 850 188

A Taste of Africa 1

Kente Cloth "The Patchwork Way"

Genuine Kente cloth from West Africa is rare and expensive. So why not make your own?

We'll use examples of real Kente cloth as a design source for both representational and geometric patterns. Then, we'll use mainly foundation piecing to create a small Kente cloth in patchwork.

Based on my own quilts Adwinasa and Kente, which received a Special Award at Quilts UK, Malvern in 2001.

The image shows detail of a patchwork Kente block from my quilt Adwinasa.

A Taste of Africa 2

Adinkra Stamping

One of the most important forms of African textile art - this technique of stamping pattern onto fabric comes from Ghana and Nigeria.

In this workshop we'll create our own stamps from everyday materials, then create our own unique stamped designs on fabric. We can use traditional Adinkra symbols. Or invent our own.

The image shows two sample pieces created in the workshop. The white piece was stamped using potato and cork. The orange piece was stamped with a genuine calabash Adinkra stamp from Ghana.

A Taste of Africa 3

Ndebele Design

We'll look at the designs of the Ndebele tribe of Southern Africa. They are particularly known for their strong geometric patterns, which are used in house painting, fertility dolls and complex beadwork.

I have a number of patterns that I've developed that you can use, or you can develop your own ideas. We'll explore a variety of techniques that are suitable to these designs, such as appliqué, Bondaweb, stained glass, reverse etc.

The image shows a sample created in the workshop.

Nine Patch With A Wiggle

Do you like nine patch blocks, but want to do something different? Why not try this curved nine patch block and add a sexy wiggle to your work - and at the same time overcome that morbid fear of curves!

In this workshop you'll learn how to cut and sew curved seams using a simple but foolproof method. You can work on making a quilt top, or just practice by making up different blocks and trying out different curves.

The image shows my quilt Free Fallin'.