Knitting & Stitching Show Edinburgh
25 April 2016, 14:21 | Updated: 15 December 2016, 11:50
The award-winning Knitting & Stitching Show comes to Edinburgh from 28 April - 1 May - and offers inspiration, advice and hands-on crafts to visitors.
Learn new skills
It’s never too late to learn new skills. From craft-curious beginners to seasoned stitchers, children to adults, visitors to the Knitting & Stitching Show can enjoy a host of practical workshops covering every aspect of textile craft.
Here are just 6 of the many crafts skills you can learn at The Knitting & Stitching Show Edinburgh:
1. How to use a sewing machine: learn the basics to get started.
2. Crochet: a fun vintage fast-growing craft hobby.
3. Make children’s clothes: run up a simple pair of children’s shorts for summer.
4. Needle felting: transform wool into beautiful 3D objects like animals and birds.
5. Textile jewellery making: a great craft activity for adults and children alike.
6. Goldwork: embroidery using fine metal threads or wires to create delicate designs.
Top knit and stitch stars
Leading lights of the knit and stitch world will be sharing their secrets in the Creative Living Theatre with a packed programme of free demonstrations. Presenters include: acclaimed knitwear designer, producer and champion of Scottish Wool Di Gilpin; sewing writing, presenting and pattern design duo Debbie Garland and Kim Suleman; Glasgow’s Sew Confident sewing school founder Jenny McCreary; sewing, quilting, embroidery and crochet star Jo Avery; author and sewing expert Wendy Gardiner; textile artist and ceramicist Victoria Pollard; and acclaimed quilter Pat Archibald. Workshops and demonstrations are selling out fast so book early to avoid disappointment.
Leading textile artists
The show’s Textile Galleries feature inspiring work by leading contemporary textile artists and groups from Scotland (Fiona Rutherford, Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor, edge – textile artists scotland, Hanne Asbey), the wider UK (Michala Gyetvai and Helen Pailing) and Europe. Art Quilts in The Netherlands is a stunning 40-quilt collection of 2D and 3D quilts curated by art historian and author Henk Lijding.
Celebrating Turkey Red
The Quilters’ Guild presents a unique opportunity to view rare Turkey Red Quilts at the show. Turkey Red is an important part of Scottish textile history and was a method of fabric dyeing introduced to Glasgow by George Mackintosh in 1785 when he established a dyeworks at Dalmarnock on the Clyde. Its vibrant colour and practical nature made Turkey Red an ideal fabric for patchwork and quilting, and The Quilters’ Guild has curated a selection of striking heritage quilts from its collection.
A Yarny Wonderland
British Alpaca experts TOFT have created an interactive yarn sweet shop that will whet every crafter’s appetite.
A Knitted Feast
Last but not least, a culinary competition with a difference takes place at The Knitting & Stitching Show Edinburgh with a handmade banquet taking centre stage. Knitting and crochet skills have been put to the test in the run-up to the show as crafters across Scotland enter an array of delicious-looking life-sized items and dishes in the Knitted Feast competition.
Book tickets: £13.00 in advance (concessions £12), online or call 01473 321872.
