L'Aiguille en Fete: Les Ecoles du Fil - The English Graduate Showcase

Amanda Schenk

This intriguing textile art from Amanda Schenk was the subject of many queries – quite difficult to deal with when you speak so little French! Three separate pieces, all quite different. Amanda’s current focus is embroidered cracks (centre) protruding from a clear blank canvas. The delicate, embroidered crack is really quite beautiful. I see it as creating beauty from something so often associated with disrepair. The three-dimensional forms (right) are an older project by Amanda. Sculpted from latex these formations were the subject of many a question. The scrunched effect reminded me of brains, whilst the overall forms were very shell-like in structure. Perhaps coral would be a better association than brains – more beautiful and less gruesome! Finally, the latex-covered canvas (left)  is an older work of Amanda’s  from her first degree. This piece looks at the theme of scars and healing with the line of stitch across the middle. I found it fascinating that over the ten years since this piece was first made, it has aged creating blemishes and a blotchy effect in places – very appropriate considering the theme. I’d be intrigued to compare it now to its original state.

Lucy Gilmour

Lucy is a graduate of the BA(Hons) Embroidery course at Manchester Metropolitan. Surprisingly though, Lucy’s work is not embroidered, it’s knitted. Lucy’s degree show collection shown below features bright, bold, jolly colours and is “about exploring the possibilities through the use of knit, hopefully with an outcome that creates delight and interest to people who see it.” Lucy has machine knitted these brightly coloured coverings for everyday objects. Lucy’s work got a massive amount of attention with a number of French magazines and website featuring her collection. Well done Lucy!

Find out more about Lucy at her blog

Holly Levell

My fellow Textile Crafter, the very talented Holly Levell exhibited her ‘Supermarket Stitch’ degree show collection. Her soft-sculpture supermarket essentials appeal to everyone with highly recognisable brands such as Heinz, Kellogs and Cadbury. Such iconic brands meant there was no issue of cultural differences with Holly’s collection. Everyone recognises these brands and there is an instant appeal. Such a popular collection and so beautifully worked. Well done, Holly!

Check out Holly’s fab blog.

Jillian Hurst

Jillian is a Textile Design graduate from Birmingham City University: “My particular interest and passion is the area of embroidery, particularly hand and machine stitching which provides an opportunity to express my own individual flair and originality.” These interesting forms can be used as accessories for interiors. Jillian designs and produces her own products and could be showing at a fair near you. Check out her blog for more information and updates on where she will be next.

Lucy Ruth Crowder

Lucy’s weighted collar sculpture has an interesting story behind it. Find out more on her blog.

“Using textiles, drawing and sound, my practice explores juxtapositions between comfort and discomfort. Creating interactive tactile sculptures, that at first may seem playful and harmless, but as time wears on become a tiresome burden designed of discomfort.”

Amanda Michelle Newall

Amanda’s design is about finding beauty in the mundane which others often overlook. Take a look at her portfolio element to her website where you will find some truly beautiful photographs or these pieces in more detail, focusing on the beauty which can easily be overlooked. www.amandamichellenewall.com

Anna Krystyna Casey

Loughborough graduate, Anna uses traditional crafts such as crochet and knit using a combination of traditional and no-traditional materials (wool vs wire) and encases them in glass and other unusual media. Find out more at her website www.anna-krystyna-casey.com

Julia Jowett

Julia imaginatively combines drawing print and stitch with wire to create her beautiful framed art works. Julia is a graduate of Staffordshire University where she studied BA(Hons) Surface Pattern Design. Take a look at her blog where you can see a portfolio of Julia's work.

Janet Cairney

Janet’s figurative illustrations use appliqued cotton organdie to build up her images.

This final piece was un-named and the artist did not attend the exhibition (you were not required to). However, there was no label with this work so if anyone recognises it, please let me know so I can add a name and contact them. Thanks.