If you're ever in Hyderabad....

There's nothing like travel to broaden your mind and make you realize what difficult lives most people in the world have just trying to keep body and soul together.  


Les Soeurs are always interested to see what's going on locally on a textile level and during a recent trip to India we had the great good fortune to meet the remarkable and inspirational  octogenarian, Suraiya Hassan, who has given up her comfortable life in a wealthy Muslim family to live amongst, support and train the impoverished, unskilled widows of Hyderabad.

Suraiya Hassan

 By teaching them how to produce historical North Indian patterns on original-style looms - a skill generally lost or forgotten in the wake of modern technology - she has provided, over the last eight years, a much needed source of income for their families whilst re-introducing the traditional skills of spinning and weaving.  And, as if that wasn't enough she has also provided - and helps run - a small school for their children.  All this at an age when most people are enjoying the a well-earned rest.

The textiles are woven in both silk and cotton (or both) and a length of five meters can take two women, working together on a loom, anywhere upwards of three months to produce (only 3 inches a day).  Suraiya sources all the old patterns and motifs from original items of clothing that she collects and very often just small scraps, all that remains of a ceremonial jacket or sari.

This is not a charity (Suraiya is quiet adamant she will not take contributions) but if you would like to support this worthy venture and are interested in purchasing a length of these frankly gorgeous reproductions (a minimum length of 10m as it takes two days to set up the loom for each new colourway), Suraiya will take orders and can arrange to send you photographs and details via email from which to choose.

All I can add is that these fabrics are ridiculously well-priced considering the work that goes into them, though import tax would most probably bring the costs up to a more reasonable level.


suraiyas2009@gmail.com

Just a thought......

If you are wildly thrashing around in a pre-Christmas frenzy, trying to think of something original and relevant to ask your best-beloved to give you for Christmas, below you'll find our literally life-affirming suggestions.


For 2012 Les Soeurs Anglaises have chosen our favourite teachers to lead five amazing creative workshops.  You'll find many more details on our website, but when you've decided which one's for you, you need only send a deposit of £250/$392 and we'll  confirm a place (you can let us know your choice of accommodation, at leisure, after the Christmas madness).  


To maintain a welcoming, intimate atmosphere and a high level of attention to detail, we keep our workshop numbers to less than one a month between May and October, and our participant numbers to between 12 and 15.  As a result places on one or two are now full or running low; but we've listed the ones where there is still availability.  2012 looks like our busiest year so far and if you think you might like to join us we suggest you don't leave it too long.  


It's as simple a pinging the button below to pay through PayPal with one of the cards below, but if you would like more information about the various events or accommodation options, do contact us and we'd be happy to answer any questions. 

The Fabric of Photography 

to be led by Jasprit Singh

3rd to 9th May (5 days/6 nights)

Places still available

 

Knitting with Colour and Clarity

to be led by Patricia Roberts

31st May to 6th June (5 days/6 nights)

2 places still available

 

Summer Fetes & Puppet Shows

to be led by Julie Arkell

July 

NOW FULL

Botanical Collage

to be led by Catherine Girardeau Willis

5th to 11th September (5 days/6 nights)

Places still available

 

Woven and Sew Sculpture

to be led by Julieann Worral Hood

3rd to 9th October (5 days/6 nights)

Places still available

 

Lin et Vin

But if you and you better half simply want to be surrounded by beautiful vintage linens and spectacular French antiques, consider joining us for a very special weekend in July when we will be putting together a gastronomic extravaganza catered by a top chef and with vintage wines supplied from our own substantial cellars (Mike used to be the president of the Interesting Wine Club, in London).  

The meal will be followed by an opportunity to buy from celebrated collectors/vendors of all that is stylishly French, and the whole event is by invitation only for a limited number of guests.  If this sounds like something you might like to be part of, let us know ASAP and we will make sure your name is at the top of our list of invitees and the first to know exact dates, the name of the chef and experts, together with price(s).

Les Soeurs Anglaises is a supporter of the Cambodian Childrens Fund and all profits to them from this event will be donated.

Country Living Christmas Fair

Another brilliant photograph by one of our regular participants, Rebecka Ryberg Skott

Yes, we may have told you already, but in case you missed it we thought you might like to know that we'll be at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Islington from

9th to 13th November.

Auditorium Stand T53

It's the first time we've attended this event, but doubtless lots of you have visited previous CL fairs and know what fun it is. Great for working through that gift list all at once and in one place. And, of course, there are endless delicious alternatives to decking the hall with boughs of holly. Check out Country Living's website to get an idea of what's on offer.

If you like what you see and you can make it to the Big Smoke next month, perhaps we can entice you to visit our stand, with complimentary entrance tickets for the day of your choice. It would be great to meet again friends of Les Soeurs Anglaises, but also to introduce ourselves to those of you who are simply curious about what goes on here in South West France. All you have to do is write COUNTRY LIVING CHRISTMAS FAIR on the comments menu of our website booking information page. Don't worry if you are already on our mailing list, and don't forget to give us your address details and we'll pop a ticket in the post to the first 6 people who apply.

The Fair is mostly an opportunity for potential new participants to get a feel for what Les Soeurs Anglaises' workshops have to offer, but we will be selling a few items made by some of our 2012 workshop leaders and this is also a chance to see their amzing work:

Photographer, Justina Burnett

Knitter, Patricia Roberts

Folk Artist, Julie Arkell

Botanical Collagist, Catherine Girardeau Willis

and Sculptress, Julieann Worral Hood

They will all be popping in from time to time, so you might well have an opportunity to meet one or two of them to discuss their work and workshops with us next year!

Hope to see you there!