Events
Past Textile Society Events
Past Pleasurea re-enactment
Fri 3rd May 2013
10.30am-3.30pm
Godalming, Surrey

Joint event with the Costume Society. Mark Wallis, MD and Stephanie Selmayr, Costume Director will give an overview of the company, followed by a look at the evolution, cut and fabrics of men’s waistcoats from 1710-1910 and gentlemen’s accessories.
£15, students £12
Tel: 0207 923 0331
Roderick Taylor
Author and collector
Wed 17th April 2013
1.30-3.30pm
Nr Diss, Norfolk

Author and authority on Ottoman, Greek Island and Persian textiles. Roderick will show and discuss his Ottoman and Persian collections.
£20
A symposium for researchers, would-be researchers and anyone interested to know more about what is happening in the field of textile research. A chance to get together, create links, encourage debate and share information
Report here: »
This one off symposium, in memory of Natalie Rothstein aims to encourage scholarship and the dissemination of new research.
Report here: »
Manchester Antique Textile Fair
Sun 3rd March 2013
10am-4.30pm
Armitage Centre,
Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6HE
This year's special guest, in conversation, will be Georgina Von Etzdorf. There will also be book signings, demonstrations and student awards, as well, of course, as a wealth of antique textile and vintage fashion dealers.
Full programme now published here. »
Wallpaper & Textiles: two sides of the same coin?
Sat 2nd March 2013
2.30 -3.45pm
The Whitworth Art Gallery & Museum
Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER

To the basement stores with Curator Christine Woods.
£10, students £5
To book contact Freda Chapman at Bryony, Gasden Lane, Witley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5RG.
Folded Beauty and Jacobean Portraits
Fri 1st February 2013
1.30pm
The Holbourne Museum
Gt Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB
This exhibition isn’t really about napkins and it isn’t really an exhibit either, says the artist, Joan Sallas. While dozens of examples of folded napkins are on show, the most impressive pieces are not the kind you would ever unfold in your lap! Joan will explain.
Report here:
»
Tel: Tel: 0207 923 0331
The New Museum Store
Wed 23rd January 2013
2pm
Central St Martins
Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4AA

Archivist Anna Buruma will show us 1950s textile designs, the work of Diana Armfield, Mary Harper, Marianne Straub and others.
£10
Tel: 0207 923 0331
Spirella Company - Corset Makers & Corsetieres
Sat 12th January 2013
10.30 am - 3pm
First Garden City Heritage Museum
296 Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1SU
A joint event with the Costume Society, to view the Exhibition on the American company that came to Letchworth in 1910 and revolutionised corset making.
Report here : »
Tel: 0207 923 0331
Textile Society 30th Anniversary Conference and AGM
2 Nov - 4 Nov 2012
Wellcome Collection Conference Centre
London
The Society celebrated its 30th anniversary with a conference dedicated to practice. Designers, makers and researchers all contributed papers and there were special tours and visits.
Papers will appear in the next issue of Text. Report here »
DomesticTextiles
Wed 17th October 2012
The American Museum
Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD

Tour with a guide who will explain how textiles evolved in the home during the mid 17th to mid 19th centuries. Materials and the sources of those materials will be discussed and how over time these evolved from being primarily imported to domestic manufacture. Plenty of time to look at the textile room and other exhibits after lunch.
£15
London ATF
Sun 7th October 2012
10.30-16.30, trade from 9.15am
Chelsea Old Town Hall
King’s Road, London

The 2012 London ATF was a great success, with takings and profit up on last year. We had 71 stall holders, including exhibitors from the Netherlands, Italy and France, and over 400 visitors.
Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this year such a success.
Tabitha Moses studio and exhibition
Thu 16th August 2012
11am
Bridewell Studios and Gallery and Victoria Gallery and Museum, Liverpool
Visit to the studio of Tabitha Moses, housed in a Grade II listed Victorian police station and the Victoria Gallery and Museum (another Grade II listed building) to view Tabitha's exhibition, 'Threshold: The Sublime Skin'. Lunch will be available in the stunning Waterhouse Cafe at VGM.
£5 »
William Morris’ Dye and Printworks
Sat 14th July 2012
10.45am - 1pm
Merton Abbey
Watermill Way, Colliers Wood, London SW19 2RD
Visit to Kelmscott House & printer Emery Walker’s home
Fri 13th July 2012
10.45am - 3.15pm
Kelmscott House
26 Upper Mall, London W6 9TA
A visit to the exhibition that celebrate the restoration of a Queen Anne state bed and features furnishings and dress worn in the bedroom, plus a tour with Curator Polly Putnam who will look at the textiles in each room. You can then explore the 42 rooms at your leisure and visit the gardens. £18, students £10 + £5.45 lunch.
»
Behind the Scenes –
Louisa Pesel’s embroidery and Egyptian children’s clothes
Fri 25th May 2012
10.30am - 6pm
ULITA
University of Leeds, Moorland Road, LS2 9JT
A look at the collection of Louisa Pesel (1870-1940), scholar and embroidery practitioner with curator Jill Winder, followed by a visit to the Marks & Spencer archive, and finishing off with Jacqui Hyman looking at Egyptian children’s clothing donated by noted Egyptologist Prof PE Newberry.
£15, Students £8...................... Just five places left.
»
Natalie Raw Curator of Costumes & Textiles at Leedswill show costumes and fabrics made abroad for the European market as well as those made in Britain inspired by the East. There will be a look at foundation garments and a tour of the museum store.
£5....................... Just seven places still available.
»
Bridget Long – Printed cottons in patchwork
Wed 2nd May 2012
11am - 4pm
Berkhampstead, Herts

As advisor to the York Quilt Museum and past President of the Quilters Guild, Bridget will show us quilts and patchwork, giving us clues about sewing techniques, style, pattern and dating. Bring your own along for discussion as well as a packed lunch.
Manchester Antique Textile Fair
Sun 4th March 2012
10am-4.30pm
Armitage Centre,
Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6HE
This year we celebrated the Fair's 20th Anniversary, with another excellent event. 100s came through the doors to sample the fantastic array of antique and ethnic wares.
Meanwhile 'upstairs' was as intersting as ever. Student winners form previous year's were invited to show work, alongside the finalists for this year's student buraries, and talk about what their award meant to them.
»
Looking at Textile Banners
Sat 3rd March 2012
2 - 3pm
The People’s History Museum
Left Bank, Spinning Fields, Manchester M3 3ER

Behind the scenes at this new award winning museum. We will be looking at banners relating to the Suffragettes and women’s causes, with curator Catherine O’Donnell.
£5
Part of the ATF weekend of events.
Textile Influence on Wallpaper Design
Fri 2nd March 2012
2.45 - 3.45pm
Whitworth Art Gallery
Oxford Road, Manchester
M15 6ER

We regret that this event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment.
William Morris: Story, Memory & Myth
Mon 23rd January 2012
2.30-4.30pm
Two Temple Place Gallery
2 Temple Place, WC2R 3BD

A 40 min guided tour of the house, followed by viewing at your leisure the gallery’s inaugural exhibition on William Morris. Many textiles as well as other decorative arts from private and public collections.
£7
Tel: 020 7923 0331
Lost in Lace – Concealed and Revealed
Thu 19th January 2012
11.30am
Birmingham Museum
Chamberlain Sq, B3 3DH

An opportunity to discover the stories behind the exhibition. Tour the Bridge Gallery with curator Gail Baxter followed by a tour of the Gas Hall for the second part of the exhibition with Exhibition Manager Andy Horn.
£5, Students free
Tel: 020 7923 0331
Captain Coram and Mr Handel
Sat 7th January 2012
11am & 2pm
The foundling Museum
40 Brunswick Sq,
London WC1N 1AZ

An exploration by Roz Hawksley into the philanthropic aims of two of the Foundling Hospital’s major supporters, who never actually met -Thomas Coram and Handel. Roz will talk us through her installation. A chance to see the interesting museum and have lunch in the very nice café.
£15.50 inc entrance. Students £6
Tel: 020 7923 0331
Textile Collections and the Sharing of Knowledge
29th AGM and Conference
25 Nov - 27 Nov 2011
Ashmolean Museum
Oxford
Collections of textiles are not static; they change as we learn more about them and as they are used differently over time. Our speakers will show how collections are embedded with so many different forms of knowledge and how that knowledge can be extracted, reacted to, preserved and expanded. »
A Celebration of South East Asian Textiles.
Wed 26th October 2011
11am-4pm
Jennifer Hughes' home
Reigate, Surrey
As a farewell fling, Jennifer will have a ‘Celebration of Southeast Asian textiles’ at her home in Reigate, Surrey, for Collectors group members only.
»
London Antique Textile Fair
Sun 2nd October 2011
10.30am-4.30pm (trade from 10am)
Chelsea Town Hall
SW3
Our London fair in 2010 was a great success and we return to London this October, at a new venue, in Chelsea. Once again, we invite you to join us in the sale of antique textiles and dress, and good quality vintage clothing and textiles from around the world.
Entry £6, concessions £4, trade £10 »
The Renaissance-style chateau was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. This visit combines a tour with curator Rachel Boak, and a chance to view reserve collections.
This event is now full. »
The Textile Manufactures of India
Fri 5th August 2011
11am – 3pm (lunch included)
Harris Museum & Art Gallery
Market Square, Preston PR1 2PP
A study day hosted by curator Caroline Alexander, looking at John Forbes Watson's 'The Textile Manufactures of India' and the currect exhibition.
£12 - booking closes 15th July »
Meg Andrews events@textilesociety.org.uk
Tel: 020 7359 7678
Led by Nikki Jarvis of the Royal School of Needlework, this day is ideal for those with little knowledge of historical emboridery.
Event report now available. »
Textile Society Russian Trip
10 Jun - 18 Jun 2011

This trip is now fully booked.
In the spring of 2011 the Collectors’ group will meet at the home of Ann Mary Johnstone to study part of her whitework collection.
»
Letchworth Museum visit
Edmund Hunter textiles + the Garden City Movement
Sat 21st May 2011
10.30 -
First Garden City Heritage Museum
296 Norton Way South, Letchworth, SG6 1SU
A busy and interesting day with curator Vicky Rawlings that combines a viewing of the reserve collection of Edmund Hunter’s weavings, a talk on the Garden City Movement and tour of local architecture.
Please note change of date.
£10 Just a few places left. »
Textiles: New Research strategies.
Research symposium
Sat 19th March 2011
Wellcome Conference Centre
183 Euston Road, London, NW1
A symposium in for researchers, would-be researchers and anyone interested to know more about what is happening in the filed of textile research. A chance to get together, create links, encourage debate and share information. »
Manchester Antique Textile Fair
Sun 6th March 2011
10am-4.30pm
Armitage Centre
Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6HE
A report on the 2011 Manchester ATF is available here. »
Looking at Mediterranean Textiles
with curator Frances Pritchard
Sat 5th March 2011
2pm
Whitworth Art Gallery
Manchester
A chance to see behind the scenes at the Whitworth and view their collection of textiles from the Mediterranean region. This will feature items from the Newberry Collection particularly needlework from Morocco. £5
Report available now »
Treasures From the Collection
Visit to Platt Hall
Fri 4th March 2011
2.30pm
Gallery of Costume
Platt Hall, Manchester
A look behind the scenes at Platt Hall, with a chance to see some of the most interesting items in the collection.
Full report here:
»
Visit to Dennis Sever's House
Mon 21st February 2011
12 noon - 12.45
Dennis Severs House
18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6B
The Dennis Severs house offers a unique experience, described as 'a still lide drama' and set in the former home of a family of Huguenot silk weavers named Jarvis.
Read a report here.
»
Spitalfields Silks at Museum of London
Mon 21st February 2011
3.00 - 4.30pm
Museum of London,
Barbican, London
A look behind the scenes atthe museum's reserve collections of Spitalfields handloom woven silks from the C18th. With Beatrice Behlan, senior curator.
Visit can be combined with visit to Dennis Sever's House in the morning.
Read a report here. »
Textile Society AGM and Conference
RE : wind - Recycling and Sustainability
26 Nov 10 - 1 Jan 11
De Montfort University, Leicester
Full review now available.
»
Collectors' Group Autumn Meeting
Visit to Ashmolean Museum
Wed 20th October 2010
11am to about 4pm
Ashmolean Museum
Oxford
The Collector's Group viewed the new Textile Gallery at the Ashmolean in Ocy 2010. Click here for a report by John Fisher.
»
To complement the highly succesful and long running Antique Textile Fair (now the the Textile Society's Manchester Fair) we are launching a new London fair, with a similar theme and content.
Booking form now available, here.
»
Horrocks Fashion
Cotton Ready to Wear 1946-1960
Sat 25th September 2010
2pm
Fashion Textile Museum
London SE1
Tour of the exhibition and a talk from Chris Boydell, the author of a new publication, which accompanies the exhibition.
Review available here
»
Visit to Leighton House
Textiles and Wallpapers at Leighton House Museum
Sat 19th June 2010
3pm-4pm
Leighton House
South Kensington
London
A talk by Sue Kerry, historic textiles and wallpaper specialist.
Cost £5 (£3 Texsoc members) »
Sanderson
100 Years of English Decoration
Sat 12th June 2010
2.pm-4.30pm
Fashion & Textile Museum
83 Bermondsey Street
London SW1 3XF
Join Mary Schoeser (Textile Society Hon. Pres. and curator of this exhibition) and special guest, Christine
Woods (Curator of Wallpapers, Whitworth Art Gallery, and founder-committee member of the Textile Society) for an afternoon exploring the story of Sanderson. »
Spring Meeting
Central Asian textiles
Wed 14th April 2010
11am
The home of John and Joan Fisher in Berkhamsted.

We shall meet at the home of Joan & John Fisher in Berkhamsted, where they will show us part of their collection of Central Asian textiles.
The topic for ‘show & tell’ is a hat or headdress of some kind, or any textile from Central Asia.
Textile Society Manchester Fair
Antique Textile Fair 2010
Sun 7th March 2010
10am-4.30pm
Armitage Centre
Fallowfield
Manchester
M14 6HE
Whether you are a serious collector, or decorating your home in period style, or somebody looking for that extra special gift - this is the event you should not miss! »
Indonesian Textiles at the V&A
A look at Indonesian textiles with Rosemary Crill
Wed 4th November 2009
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
The collectors group imade a return visit to the V & A museum in London, to look at Indonesian Textiles with Rosemary Crill. Ful report here. »
Our 2009 AGM and conference is on the theme 'Two Cultures' influenced by the work of Thomas Wardle. The lecture programme will explore the themes of : Art and Science; Craft and Industry; Ancient and Modern; East and West. There will be a visit to Leek, Stafforshire to view Leek Embroideries in the churches for which they were made and an opportunity to view sample books from Macclesfield Silk Museum's important collection. »
The Textile Society's Tour to Romania
This is now fully booked
27 May - 5 Jun 2009

The cost will be around £1,450 which will include flights, hotels, food, coach and driver plus a tour guide. Insurance and other drinks would be extra. If you are interested please write to Audrey Duck, 9 Broadlands Court, Kew Gardens Road, Richmond, TW9 3HW. Send a A5 stamped addressed envelope for details of the trip and a booking form.
Rozanne Hawksley talk
Lecture by the artist
Sun 31st May 2009
12 noon
Ruthin Crafts Centre
Park Road, Ruthin,
Denbighshire, LL15 1BB
PLEASE NOTE: Correct date is May 31st, not July, as previously stated. Apologies for any confusion.
To coincide with her solo show Rozanne has offered to give a special lecture for the Textile Society on Sunday May 31st at 1pm.
The fee is £25 for Textile Society members, £27.50 for non-members and includes a buffet lunch, at 12 noon.
»
Tel: T: +44 (0)1824 704774
Japanese Braids
Related bobbin and stand equipment (from China and the middle east)
Wed 22nd April 2009
Leicester

This event has been cancelled.
A visit to see the exhibition: ‘My Most Treasured Pieces. Highlights From the Ginsburg Collection' and hear accompanying talks.
To book email info@textilesociety.org.uk
For full details click here. »
Antique Textile Fair 2009
Sun 1st March 2009
10 - 4.30 (Trade 8.30)
Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, Manchester
Our perennial spring fair is a firm favourite for enthusiasts interested in buying antique and vintage costumes and textiles to collect, wear or discover. The selection is vast with 130 stands selling Oriental & Eastern European costumes & textiles; English costumes & textiles, fans, lace and linens as well as plenty of vintage clothes & textiles. »
Magnificence of the Tsars
A tour of the exhibition with Lesley Millar
Wed 21st January 2009
13.15
V&A Museum, South Kensington, London

A visit to this exhibition at the V & A on 21st January 2009. At 1.15pm we meet in The Sackler Centre to join the lunchtime talk about the exhibition. We will then meet afterwards, when Lesley Millar will be around to answer any questions. After a drink we will see examples of Russian Textiles from the V&A collection.
£7.00 includes entrance to the Exhibition - £2 for Friends of the Victoria & Albert Museum
Please send stamped addressed envelope with cheque made out to The Textile Society to Audrey Duck, 9 Broadlands Court, Kew Gardens Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3HW
TS Collectors’ Group Winter Meeting
Indian Textiles with Rosemary Crill
Wed 19th November 2008
V & A Museum, Exhibition Road, London

The next Collectors' group meeting will be at the V & A Museum on Wednesday 19th November to look at Indian Textiles with Rosemary Crill. Numbers are limited. Please book in advance.
* Please note the Autumn meeting to see Janie Lightfoot’s African collection on Saturday October 11th has been cancelled.
The Textile Society's AGM is in Winchester this year. 3 packed days full of talks, visits and all things textile. »
West England Costume Society Toile Making workshop
Open to Textile Scoiety members!
Tue 24th June 2008
Bath

The WECS have opened up an evet to our memebers, only a few places are left. Lindsay Evans Robertson is running a special one-day workshop on toile making, based on a garment from the 1947 - 57 couture period. The cost, including calico, is £35. Partcipants should bring their own lunch, but coffee and tea will be provided on the day. Contact Caroline Johnson on 01252 645090 or by email: carolinejohnson@ntlworld.com
African Textiles
British Museum store visit
Wed 11th June 2008
British Museum Store, Blythe Road, London

An opportunity to see African Textiles with Collections Manager, Helen Wolfe. Time 14.00. Cost £4, For bookings send payment and an S.A.E. to Freda Chapman, Bryony, Gasden Lane, Witley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 5RJ You will be sent a map.
18 & 19th Century Textiles and Costume
Mon 19th May 2008

This evening session allows for handling of items to learn about the context in which these clothes and textiles were made and how they were worn. Janie Lightfoot will also talk about the conservation and care of such items.
Places are limited to 10 people max.
The Collectors’ Group Spring Meeting
Weaving Techniques
Wed 16th April 2008

Identification of weaving techniques, examples from Jennifer Hughes’ collection of Southeast Asian textiles. Audrey Duck will display her Russian textile collection. Held at Audrey's flat, Kew, London (Audrey lives 2 floors up and there is no lift). Please note that numbers limited to 12 and you should bring 2 interesting woven items for show & tell.
Visit to the Damask Exhibition
Sun 13th April 2008
Temple Newsam House
Leeds

Meet at 11am for coffee, followed by a talk from the curator Polly Putnam and then a look around the exhibition. £5 includes entry
to Temple Newsam and coffee.
The Textile Society Antique Textile Fair
Sun 9th March 2008
10 am - 5 pm (Trade 8.30 am)
Armitage Centre, Moseley Rd
Fallowfield
Manchester M14 6HE
Stand after stand heaped high with fabulous textiles and garments from all over the world. Racks of vintage and ethnic clothing, silks from the mysterious East, bundles of braids, loops of ribbons, boxes of buttons, silks and satins, embroideries and knitting, along with old household linens from France. »
Looking at Balkan & East European Textiles
Sat 8th March 2008
14.00
The Whitworth Art Gallery
Oxford Road
Manchester

Frances Pritchard, Curator of Textiles will be showing us examples from the museum’s vast collection.
15 places, £3.50, cheques payable to Textile Society, please enclose a S.A.E. Contact for bookings: Freda Chapman, Bryony, Gasden Lane, Witley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 5RJ
Tel: 01428 683703
Collectors' Group Autumn Meeting
Wed 24th October 2007
Warner Textile Archive
Braintree, Essex

A 90 minute group visit included a welcome & introduction, a conducted tour of the Archive Store and a wander around the Gallery
Collectors’ Group Spring Meeting
Wed 16th May 2007
Liz Mellish's home in Watford

Liz Mellish's home in Watford to look at her collection of Romanian and Bulgarian costume pieces



































