Join our textile making sessions

We are delighted to be inviting you to join us to explore your family or local stories through different sewing, printing & other textile techniques in Northampton. 

We are looking for 10-12 people in each town to join us for 6 weekly sessions, free to attend with all materials provided. At the end of the 6 sessions, there will be an opportunity to share what you have created at our Seedling pop-up installations (if you want to - no pressure to present or display anything!).

You will be welcomed, guided & supported by our multi-creative facilitators Tamsyn & Sandra as well as a creative introduction by our installation designer, Ruth. These sessions are super relaxed and no pressure, we welcome you to talk, craft, learn new skills, try out different ideas and generally have a nice time with our small group!

Northampton Session Details:

Times: Saturday mornings,10am - 12pm

Dates: 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar & 23 Mar 2024

Venue: Abi Jackson’s Studio at 7-9 Burns Street, Northampton, NN1 3QE

If you have any access needs, please let Courtenay know so we can ensure we put the the right things in place to ensure you can take part. You can email Courtenay at courtenay@carbontheatre.org.uk or text/call 07720 445456.

Please book to 'join the group' - x1 booking will secure your place on the 6-week project.

Textiles by Ruth Stringer, Seedling 2021. Photo credit: Christian Sinibaldi.

Our textile sessions are supported by National Lottery Community Fund & Constance Travis Community Endowment Fund (Northamptonshire Community Foundation).

The Team

See below for information about the team that will be present at this event:

Ruth Stringer - Designer & Heritage Square Lead Artist

Ruth is a set and costume designer based in South Wales. Her favourite projects seek out unusual and outdoor spaces, embed the heart of the community, and celebrate green practice in their design and realisation. Recent projects include Circle of Fifths Tour (National Theatre Wales), The Witness (Carbon Theatre), The First 3 Drops (Taking Flight Theatre), Aberetwm (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Huno (The Other Room), Nightmare Scenario (Opera Sonic). Ruth is a strong advocate for working sustainably in the performance industry; she is a core member of Ecostage (ecostage.online) and the Society of British Theatre Designers Sustainability Working Group.

Sandra McLean - Textile Facilitator

Sandra McLean is a freelance artist based in Northampton - Training - Fine Art in Painting and Drawing at the University of Northampton (2020), Textiles at Northampton College (2007), Fashion Design at Nene College Northampton (1993). Her work explores the contemporary approaches in the expanding field of painting and drawing by pushing the boundaries using mixed media, implementing threads and textiles. Reflecting on one's journey through life experiences, memories, culture influences, the environment at home and surroundings using recycled materials giving them a new lease of life or purpose. "Threads connecting the past and the present".

Tamsyn Payne - Textile Facilitator

Tamsyn is a creative whirlwind with her fingers in several pies. She has worked in theatre, film and performance art but is never happier than when she is left with a pile of materials to play. She is passionate about repairing and reusing vintage fabrics and beautiful mending. She has made costumes and props for all manner of shows and events over the last 20 years, including a C17 wedding party, a horse circus and a giant bunny-rabbit. Particularly interested in the therapeutic power of crafting and making together, she is looking forward to creating some slow-stitched stories with the Seedling project.