Tinsmiths’ second one day Textile Print Workshop took place last Saturday. Having had very good feedback from the first course a week before, this group were equally adventurous and the outcomes were really very impressive. Thanks again to Sylvia Stiff, whose clear guidance and enthusiasm made for productive and enjoyable sessions. We are so encouraged that the courses will hopefully become part of our annual programme. To get the earliest chance to book, join our Course Register on the website. Here is a collage of snaps of vinyl blocks, try-outs and prints on linen taken during Saturday’s workshop.

Just a quick mention, with more to follow, about a fantastic trip we made earlier this month, to the mill in Lancashire where Ian Mankin cloth is woven. Proving that we really ARE still making things in the UK. Sixth generation mill owner, David Collinge, was very generous with his time and knowledge. He gave us a complete tour of the mill and we were staggered at the complexity and variety of cloth he produces. From the material used in to add cgi layers to motion pictures to police shirting and fine woollen suiting – the mulitude of fibres the mill can handle is really wonderful. Tinsmiths is concerned mainly with the natural fibres – cotton and linen – which, when woven on the smaller looms, produce characteristic stripes and checked Ian Mankin cloth, which has been the basis of Tinsmiths’ range from day one. This Autumn we will design a very obvious logo to use on our website highlighting these and other products made in this country.

A more in depth posting will follow this: in the meantime, David kindly supplied his own images of the mill (he also trained as a photographer) and here is a wide angle image of the “shop” floor.