a stitching season.....

No better Time to Relax and Learn

We keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground when we're looking for original and gifted workshop leaders and in October this year we are thrilled to be hosting a new knitting workshop to be led by Swedish super-stitcher, Åsa Soderman.  Åsa has almost 2000 followers on Ravelry (always a good sign of a gifted knitter and knit designer) and we are offering a 10% discount to our newsletter followers if they book before the middle of August.   This offer is also available to Selvedge readers.

Seamlessly Clever

14th to 20th October

Over the 5-Day Workshop and using Åsa's specially developed, top-down technique, you’ll measure, contemplate, plan, sketch (and KNIT!) a  personalized custom-fit, top-down seamless sweater or pull-over.  Take time to consider knitted pockets, ribs for hems, ponder stitch patterns and quirky design details; choose between smallish and wowza bust darts (or none) and waist shaping – perhaps a colour accent on the sleeve, a hidden colour spot in the pocket lining or a contrasting button band? But if that’s too many decisions, there's the option of sticking more closely to the choices Åsa has already made in any of her Ziggurat patterns.

tailored shoulders :: necklines & collars      built-in pockets :: built-in button bands    stripes :: hems :: cuffs

I am positively the last person to wish summer away, but the end of the season is generally a lovely time of year in south west France, and the commencement of cooler weather and rustic colouring outside, will be the perfect backdrop to discovering Åsa's fabled Ziggurat technique together with a small group of enthusiastic knitters, learning at your own pace in our wonderful studio, or outside on the terrace with it's fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.  And when the day's stitching is over there'll be time to visit a local brocante or take a walk in our splendid mature gardens (we even have a new Japanese garden in the making!), whilst we spoil you with delicious organic food and great local wines.

    

Do let us know if you have any questions, but meanwhile, we're looking forward to welcoming some of you in October for our last workshop of the season, always very special......
Best wishes
Katie

.... a place in the sun.......?

In October of every year we notify our long list of Janet Bolton and Julie Arkell enthusiasts of their dates for the following year's workshops here, and within a very short time all places are filled.  However, altered circumstances sometimes mean that participants have to pull out, and disappointed as we are that guests we were looking forward to meeting will no longer be able to join us, it does mean a couple of people will now have the unexpected but guaranteed pleasure of being taught by either Janet (Narrative Stitches) in May, or Julie (Toys), at the beginning of June.  Spaces are for luxury accommodation only, but cheap flights are still available (the Euro is weak so more spending power whilst you are here).   For more details contact Susie as soon as possible so she can pencil you in.

               

But if you're looking for an opportunity to work quietly on your own project, away from the hurly burly of domestic chores and family responsibilities, our Bring Your Own Project week at the end of September may be just your cup of tea.  You'll have first class accommodation, shared use of our inspirational studio space, breakfasts and evening meals, transport as well as an optional daily Iyengar Yoga class.  We'll leave the rest up to your imagination.

 

If you haven't seen the latest copy of Uppercase Magazine we recommend you drop everything and run out to buy one immediately as this issue is all about textiles!  My initial training was as a Graphic Designer, and I have long been besotted with typefaces, fonts and scripts.  Add to this a fascination about the weaving process and hand-loom tapestry and Sarah Swett, whose extraordinary work is featured in the magazine, presses all the right buttons.   My only attempt at a tapestry a very long time ago was a spectacular failure so it may be that this variation of weaving is a) impossible to do on a hand loom, and b) difficult to teach over a five-day workshop; but wouldn't it would be great if we could persuade Sarah (or maybe you can recommend another suitable teacher?) to come over next year to lead a workshop?  We'll keep you posted!

     

As a postscript, there may be one or two of you who'd like to join us for an exclusive Yoga event at the end of June, designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.  This five-day intensive (with all the leisure attractions that our venue offers, plus a salon therapist available for treatments) is to be led by Liz Bolton of Silver Yoga, who trained as a teacher after 15 years as a Iyengar Yoga practitioner;  anyone interested in joining us at this beautiful time of year should contact me as soon as possible for more details as places are already filling up.

That's all for now folks
Katie

... a good yarn ahead.....

At the beginning of October we will be welcoming back the ebullient and irrepressible Marion Foale who will be here to lead a second knitting workshop for us (she only leads workshops for us!).  Such was the success of her first teaching event ever, that many participants from 2013 will be also be returning.  In the unlikely event that you haven't heard of Marion before, we thought you might like a little background on this vivacious, creative lady and her 1960s partner in crime, Sally Tuffin.

British fashion designers Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin were part of a movement known as “Youthquake”, a 1960s fashion, musical and cultural movement. It was the era of the Beatles, mini-skirts, trouser and jump suits (the world's first supermodel Twiggy who modelled some of their designs at the time, has been the subject of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery), and Foale and Tuffin were the inspiration of people like Mary Quant as well as 70s shops such as Biba and Bus Stop.

Marion and Sally met in 1955 while attending Walthamstow Art School . They subsequently studied together at the Royal College of Art under Professor Janey Ironside and in the 1960s, the pair established their own fashion company, “Foale & Tuffin”, located in Carnaby Street, in London's West End with a budget of less than £200. Together with their contemporaries, Ossie Clark, Zandra Rhodes and Bill Gibb, all graduates of the Royal College of Art, they had a massive impact on the fashion scene of the 'swinging sixties'.

Their dress philosophy strikes a chord with the current passion for home dressmaking and knitting, as well as well as our enthusiasm for recycling clothing and accessories whenever possible.  As Sally describes in the definitive book about them, Foale and Tuffin:The Sixties. A Decade in Fashion by Iain R. Webb
"We realised there was a gap in the market.  People would make their own clothes, dress and style themselves with bits and pieces, and we just sort of jumped in and made the bits and pieces for them."

Forty years on and Marion is still renowned for her highly fashionable, highly collectable, classic hand-knitted and feminine designs, though now they are often inspired by the glamour and chic of the forties with her own exquisite range of yarns some of which she will bring with her to the workshop in September.

Marion Foale current designs


Marion Foale Yarns

"What a fabulous week we had…it was so great to knit alongside such creative people and spend time doing exactly what we love in such a beautiful setting.  Marian was inspirational!  The experience will long live in my memory and I'm so looking forward to coming back to Les Soeurs Anglaises to enjoy their beautiful hospitality next year,  And of course to learn more, share our year's accomplishments and enjoy another incredible week!!"  Dianna K, USA

Our favourite photograph of Marion teaching last year (hope she wasn't laughing at Carol's scarf!!)

Marion's workshop for this year is currently full, but if you would like to go on the waiting list (or put your name down for next year), please get back to us.

....thinking ahead...

Whilst catching up with Les Soeurs Anglaises' emails in-between workshops I found myself absentmindedly surfing through various websites looking for yarns for winter projects and I came across a website shop called Quince and Co.  Sadly, it doesn't make sense for me to order yarn from the US, but I have downloaded several of their patterns - not free, I hasten to add, but not expensive either - and I'm particularly smitten by their shawls.  It was Julie Arkell who converted me (along with countless others), to the eponymous shawl and I have so many now that I've started knitting them for friends and relatives - how desperate is that?.  There's something very forgiving and satisfying about not having to worry if sleeves fit or seams are perfect (there aren't any),  and it's a pleasure to sit and knit these scarves and shawls.  Yes, you have to concentrate sometimes, but it really doesn't matter if they turn out smaller or larger than expected, you use the recommended yarn or needles; they work whatever size they end up.   Here are some of my current favourites:

 
Crescent by Quince and Co 


Mainline by Quince and Co


Guernsey Wrap by Brooklyn Tweed

And if you're looking for beautiful yarns with which to knit your chosen shawl, look no further than the fantabulous Isager Yarns.  I can personally recommend their Spinney and Tweed, though the Silk Mohair is also to die for....

p.s. Since posting this blog I have had several kind people email me with information where I can find the very yarns I mention above in the Uk and France so I thought I should pass the information along.   

Loisive The / France
Loop

If you're still thinking that maybe you could join us for Jessie Chorley's workshop, Usable Treasures, at the beginning of September, we recently sent out her workshop description to existing participants and it sounded so exciting we wanted to share from it with you.
  
"I am very much looking forward to returning to France for another workshop in the inspiring studio and surroundings of LSA.  This year my workshop will focus on creating pieces from discarded and found papers and combining these with embroidery and found objects. During your time at LSA we will also have trips out to source vintage finds, books fabrics etc."

We feel so fortunate to be hosting workshops with only those artists and teachers whose work we really admire and who are also a joy to work alongside.  Jessie comes high on that list and whilst she does the occasional one or two day event in the UK (she led a taster  today at John Lewis, London) the opportunity to share five full days of her creativity is a whole different experience.  

.... last minute bag buys....

We're fortunate to have one of the best and largest brocantes/vide greniers as a monthly visitor to our local village and yesterday it was choc-a-block full of goodies as usual.  

Meanwhile, we've been busy putting together the goody bags for our reception next week, and fortunately had left enough space for some of the lovely vintage haberdashery items we found at the brocante.  We thought you'd like to see some of them, especially if you're planning to join us for the Raystitch Reception on Monday, 14th April!!  We still have a few places open for the morning and afternoon sessions if you haven't replied yet, but don't delay in contacting us if you like the look of our purchases below!

Don't forget that our workshop leaders will be judging our Textile Jigsaw of Words competition at the Reception.  There's still just enough time to make one or two and post them to us; surely worth the haste when you could win a free place on a Les Soeurs Anglaises' workshop?

…. time to get cutting…..

If you haven't already started on your piece of our Textile Jigsaw of Words, this weekend might be a good time.  There's only a few weeks left now until our Reception with Raystitch (14th April) when our workshop leaders will all be casting a vote as to the best and most creative submission.  The prize for the winner is a free place on one of our workshops this year, where there are still places available, so hopefully worth the effort downloading the template and instructions, followed by a few hours of creative  stitching (don't forget your quote!)



To help you along, the talented and delightful Claire Wellesley-Smith, who is leading the Slow Colour and Stitch workshop for us in May, and whose superlative patchworks are continuously inspirational, has this advice:

"I've always loved searching out old unfinished scraps of patchwork and quilts. They are like little snapshots - the fabrics giving clues to their age and to the lives of the women who stitched them.   (By the way the hexagons shown in the image will be used at my workshop)."

And if that doesn't get you going, I've always found that when stuck for a idea, a long walk - especially at this time of year -  is what I need to get the creative flow moving.  There's nothing like the first of the spring flowers after a long cold winter to inspire.  Here are a few that are have felt brave enough to show show their faces round here recently…….

.. an invitation….

We're delighted to announce that Les Soeurs Anglaises are joining forces with London's prettiest, newest and most charming haberdashery, Raystitch, to run two dressmaking workshops over the summer 2015 down here in South West France.  More about that later, but to celebrate our exciting collaboration we will be welcoming past and future participants to a reception at Raystitch's boutique in Essex Road, Islington on Monday, 14th April!

It promises to be a fun day in town with Raystitch offering a 10% discount to invitees on everything in the shop, as well as further discounts on Les Soeurs Anglaises workshops if you confirm an interest in joining one.   Most of LSA's 2014 workshop leaders will be attending and you'll have a chance to meet  and discuss with them any questions you have about their work and teaching plans.  

We will also be announcing the winner of our 

Jigsaw Patchwork

There will be three reception sessions throughout the day and it will be a great opportunity for LSA past participants to meet up with old friends.  We're also looking forward to introducing ourselves to those of you who haven't managed yet to get to a workshop with us;  this should be the perfect time to find out more about us and what we have to offer with the added bonus of simultaneously discovering the best place in town to buy all your sewing bits.  

So if you're within striking distance of London and you'd like to join us for drinks and nibbles at some point during the day, please email us as soon as possible with your address and we'll make sure you get  a personal invitation!  Don't delay as numbers are limited.

And if you're simply curious to discover more about the kind of wonderful fabrics and haberdashery items that Raystitch sell, below is a photograph of a couple of pillow cases that LSA have made recently with two meters of their Eloise Renouf 100% organic cotton. It's a lovely soft Liberty lawn-like cotton but with up-to-the-minute patterns, and the result would flatter any bedroom.  Not too girly, yet utterly charming and spring-like!.

… a textile jigsaw of words …..

Judging by the feedback, our competitions are always a great favourite, but nobody enjoys them more than we do at Les Soeurs Anglaises.  It is so exciting to receive entries and emails and messages from all corners of the world;  looking at the beautiful contributions (always so different and original) and reading the stories behind them, just tickles us pink! and reinforces our belief  that allowing your imagination a free rein and then thoughtfully stitching an idea together with fabric or yarn, is a very special kind of meditation, something that - with the hustle and bustle of the world today - we could all use more of. 

So it is with great delight that we are launching our Easter 2014 Competition.  

With several new and exciting workshop leaders, who are involved in some way or another in the art of patchwork - whether it be the exquisite dyeing and stitching of natural fabrics Claire Wellesley Smith, or Christine Green's re-invention of the traditional patchwork quilt , we thought we would combine these traditional tactile arts and crafts with our love of inspirational words from the good and the great. 

Hey presto!  

The brief is to embellish a piece of your own fabric jigsaw (in the shape of the jigsaw below) with a quote of your choice; send it to us and we will combine it with all the other entries to produce a Jigsaw Patchwork which, if large enough, will be auctioned to raise money for the education of children from the poorest areas of Phnom Pehn (The Cambodian Childrens Fund).  Our workshop leaders will then pick their favourite submissions from which one will be chosen as the winner.

Entries should reach us before the 10th April 2014.

And the prize?  A free place on one of our workshops later this year where there are still spaces available.

Here are the template and instructions, and as long as your jigsaw piece includes a quote, and is the size of the template when completed, you can decorate each entry with as much creativity as your little heart desires.

So, are you ready to start stitching?

…. could be interesting?…...

If you have a few minutes to spare, here are three blogs that might interest you as much as they do us.

Firstly some beautiful knits by the tremendously gifted Kate Davies.  Join her newsletter and you'll be the first to get information about her latest patterns and tutorials.

Follow one of our regular workshop participants, Kris Needham, on her journeys across continents;  this month there is a fascinating description of the textile industry on the Indian sub-continent.  

Find the craftiest people, especially if you're anywhere near Amsterdam, on Giovannella Brusatin's charming, eclectic blog, One Bunting Away.  She meets them, interviews them and takes terrific photos of their work