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06 September 2022
Some of us will recall making the cookery apron decorated with cross stitch at school as did Jacky, and did you make a pyjama case too? From those early forays into stitching Jacky went on to teacher training - not as you would expect into textiles but into design and technology which included metalwork and wood work. With textiles as part of her teaching remit at A level, she joined a City and Guilds’ course. She displayed for us an Egyptian necklace and a treasure chest inspired by her grandfather’s wicker lunch box.
A major turning point was an inspirational workshop with Jean Littlejohn, emphasising that everything should have a start, a middle and an end. Two days were spent on design, which included cutting up pieces and rearranging them, along with the thought not to take something at face value. After two further days in the summer and then two more days in the autumn with Jean, the group decided they had so enjoyed being together that they wanted to continue. Jean was asked to be their mentor and “Bolt” textile group was formed, continuing for twelve years with teaching and exhibitions. Jean was always pushing and challenging the group, asking them to keep thinking, and encouraging them to go and try.
Jacky showed us various pieces such as blocks inspired by the Giants’ Causeway. A handkerchief pinned to a girl’s uniform in a school photograph, a piece of Bismuth and a book on ocean life were other sources of inspiration. Jacky advised us to take one technique we liked and develop that, as she did with nappy liners and garden fleece by painting these materials and ironing them onto synthetic velvet.
Members thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon as there was so much to take away from Jacky’s talk and her pieces on display.
MW
Our September 2022 gallery
