| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 1st Tuesday 2:00pm - 4:00pm |
| Venue: | The Bridge Church Community Hall |
| Cost: | £2.00 (includes access to all 1st Tuesday activities incl. refreshments) |
This group was previously known as the Textile Crafts Group. We have changed our name to reflect what actually goes on when we meet - some of us stitch (knit, crotchet or sew) and share ideas but we all chat over a cup of coffee and a biscuit (or two)!
We are a very informal and sociable group and welcome anyone to join us. Stitching is optional!
We continue our visits to all the textile exhibitions at Forge Mill. These also start with coffee and chat - and sometimes, cake! - in the Cloisters. Please find details of 2026 exhibitions below.
Forthcoming events
Visit Report: "SHAPE IT MODERN" by Bristol Modern Quilting Group at Forge Mill Museum on Thursday 19th March
We first met for coffee in the Cloisters at Forge Mill on an agreeably sunny and warm day in March, ahead of moving into the textile exhibition, ‘Shape it Modern’, by Bristol Modern Quilting Group.
This exhibition was another impressive display of quilting and other hand and machine stitching techniques, full of colour and variety of approach. For me, the first section was the most interesting. The quilters had set themselves the challenge of creating a work inspired in some way by the work of a chosen modern artist. The artists acknowledged were, I have to admit, mostly unknown to me, but I was struck by the monochrome hanging (shown in the photo) inspired by a work by Barbara Hepworth. This is the one I myself would have taken home!
Our next visit will be on Thursday, 30th April, meeting in the Cloisters from 10.30am for a coffee ahead of visiting the textile exhibition, ‘Pathways’, presented by the Contemporary Textiles Group.
Anyone is welcome to join us!
Sylvia Edwards
(click on images to enlarge - click again to return to the webpage).
Visit Report: "Textile Whispers" by IDC College Bromsgrove at Forge Mill Museum on Thursday 5th February
The Stitch and Chat group braved the horrible weather on 5th February, to make the first of our visits this year to the textile exhibitions at Forge Mill. We enjoyed coffee and chat beforehand in the warm Abbey museum before moving on the exhibition.
This one is entitled, ‘Textile Whispers’, and is presented by alumni and students at the IDC college in Bromsgrove, under the guidance of Ruth Parkinson-Johns. The word, ‘whispers’, refers to ‘the voices in our head which inspire us to respond to new experiences by creating art’. There are many techniques evident in the works presented, such as dyeing, hand and machine embroidery, image transfer and heat manipulation.
The professionalism of the work presented is truly impressive – I would even say, ‘awesome’, and I don’t often use that word! As always, we much enjoyed ‘bouncing off each other’ and comparing our responses. We found that some of us were drawn to the more realistic portrayals of scenes in nature and others of us were more attracted to the impressionistic or abstract pieces.
Many of the pieces on display give credit to Liske Johnson, a local textile artist, for the inspiration behind the work. I myself love going to Liske’s workshops, but having only a modest talent, I left feeling both inspired and inadequate!
A few photographs to record the event below. Click on a photograph to view an enlarged image (click on "x" top right to return to the page).
Reported by Sylvia Edwards
Another enjoyable Stitch & Chat meeting at the 1st Tuesday meeting on 7th October 2025.
Future Visits 2026
Forge Mill Museum Textile Exhibitions
The 2026 series of exhibitions have been announced.
Meeting at 10.30am for coffee in the Cloisters, moving on to the exhibition around 11.00am.
The Textile Connoisseurs Club pass will cost £14.50 this year. This pass also gives a 10% discount in the Forge Mill Museum shop and coffee bar. The discount no longer applies to Village Fabrics. Entry to a single exhibition will be £7.15. More details of the exhibitions are given on the Forge Mill Museum website.
I do hope you'll be able to join me and I look forward to seeing you there! If you can't join us, there is plenty of time around the dates I've given to make your own visit.
Thursday 30th April: PATHWAYS, Contemporary Textiles Group
Every two years, a challenge is set which is a juried event for members of the Contemporary Textiles group (part of the British Quilters Guild). Members work without limits or the usual conventions, thriving on exploration and experimentation to create innovative, dynamic and memorable art.
Thursday 2nd July: STORIES OF THE BOWERBIRD, Stephanie Redfern
Stephanie is a celebrated textile artist who works in textiles and mixed media. Her work is influenced by natural history, museum collections, folk art and its customs and landscapes.
Thursday 24th September: THE HEALING GARDEN, Hilary Beattie
Renowned textile artist Hilary Beattie returns with an exhibition celebrating nature’s restorative power. Using applique, hand‑cut stamps and expressive stencils, she explores plants with the ability to heal mind, body and soul.
Thursday 5th November: FREEFORM, Westhope Lace Group
The group members bring Freeform to life with an inspiring breadth of imagination. Each artist has taken the theme in a distinct direction, showcasing a deep understanding of traditional lacemaking.
The short reports from visits to the exhibitions during 2025 can be found by clicking on the blue button to the right of this page.