Information on Loughborough

Tantalising Textiles

Posted on 04/06/07
P. Klein

tantalising textile being shown at the Charnwood Museum in LoughboroughThe Second Turning Textile Group is a group of embroiderers who all produce individual work. The group became established in the East Midlands in 1989 and since then have exhibited in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. They have now come to Loughborough with their Tantalising Textiles exhibition which is being displayed at the Charnwood Museum.

Through a wide range of materials, techniques and imagery, members of the Second Turning Textile Group have created a visual feast of colourful, exciting and innovative original work for this exhibition in the form of wall panels, three-dimensional pieces, weaving, jewellery and quilts.

The exhibition by members of the Second Turning Textile The group aim to produce new and original work, with each member pursuing this aim in their own individual style. This is reflected in the wide range of materials, techniques and imagery that have been used in the design and development of the exhibits. Techniques include hand and machine embroidery, appliqu (decoration or trimming cut from one piece of fabric and stitched to another, usually with a satin stitch, to add dimension and texture), beadwork, goldwork, patchwork, felting, weaving, fabric painting and dyeing. The group includes Chris Aske, Adela Davis, Maggi Dunn, Shelagh Farrow, Magaret Hogg, Carole Holmes, Eileen Hudson, Linda Llyod-Willis, Inez Munton, Deidre Robbins, Carole Soul, Sally Starling, Gill Webster and Francine Wilkins. Many of these have qualifications in the field of textiles and many have teaching experience in further and adult education. Although the group members come from a variety of backgrounds it is their interest in textiles that has brought them together.

The Second Turning Textile Group has exhibited at various venues in the East Midlands over the last 17 years and have been invited to exhibit annually at the fashion and Embroidery Show at Harrogate. However this is their first exhibition at Charnwood Museum. For the occasion the group has created an enthralling exhibition which they hope will entice and entrance the viewer. Unlike most museum exhibits if you fall in love one of the pieces the creator may be persuaded to part with it!

We visited the exhibition and were impressed both on the creativity and also the skill the artists who created these pieces obviously have. Weve taken some pictures for the Loughborough Photograph Albums, however the pieces need to be seen in person to be appreciated fully.

Charnwood Museum is located in Queens Park in Loughborough. Opening hours are 10am to 4.30pm on Monday to Saturday and 2pm until 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Admission is Free. The Tantalising Textiles exhibition continues until the 8th July 2007.

Charnwood Museum is run as a partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council.

News report by T. Robson