Costume workshops

I work closely with Darlington- based company Melting Pot Arts to deliver exciting and engaging costume workshops in schools and with community groups. My workshops allow participants to have a go at making their own costumes for theatre and dance productions.

Example- Wingate Stage Stars took part in a Summer Stage Academy in 2007. I taught the group basic sewing skills which then enabled them to create and customise their own dance and theatre costumes for a production. The children worked across 3 days to practice a performance and make their own costume.

Embroidery workshops, teaching and residencies

I have worked in primary, secondary, further and higher educational establishments to provide modern embroidery, textile craft and drawing workshops and tutorial sessions. I'm happy to plan workshops to specifiically fit in with your teaching schedule. I can lead a full session or simply be there to assist, advise and inspire your students, suggesting ideas for ongoing projects or coursework.

Example- Eastbourne Academy, Darlington. I worked with a year 11 G.C.S.E group on innovative mark making skills. The students experimented with unusual drawing techniques such as making marks with an extended implement and drawing with their eyes closed. They then transfered elements of their drawings onto fabric using the heat transfer method and embellished with stitch.

Stitch Groups

From February 2008 I will be running local stitch groups on a weekly basis. The Stitch and Sparkle groups will take place at Bondgate Church Hall, Darlington on Tuesday evenings. They will teach how to make peg dollies, corsages, purses, stitched cards, customised clothing and lots more. They are open to all ages and abilities- if you would like to meet up with like- minded people who are passionate about textiles then this is the group for you.

Times: Children ( Age 8+) 5.30-7pm and the adult group will take place 7.30-9 pm every Tuesday.

The stitch groups will run in conjunction with Melting Pot Arts' Darlington Arts Academy, for more information or to join please go to www.meltingpotarts.com

Example- I worked with Darlington Young Embroiderers Guild (2008 ) in a similar way to make freindship bangles. In this project we were particularly looking at the idea of girls working and thinking like 'Textile Designers'.

Talks

If you would like me to come and talk about my work as a self- employed textile designer and maker at your school, college, university of embroiderers guild meeting then please e.mail me for more details. I will bring my portfolio and show examples of my drawing, embroidery and product pieces wilst talking about how I developed my skills as an embroiderer and what it's like to run my own business.

Demonstrations

If you are a retailer or supplier looking for a highly creative designer/maker to promote and demonstrate your products at trade shows or within a workshop environment in your shop then I would be happy to work with you. I have experience in demonstrating for large companies such as Coats Crafts UK at busy trade and consumer shows as well as working in a more intimate situation teaching modern crafts in stores such as Liberty in London (for more information please see my news and events page)

If you would like to enquire about talks, demonstrations, groups, residencies or workshops please e.mail for a quote or proposal at charlyliddle@hotmail.com.