The Experimental Weave Lab at London Craft Week

11 May – 15 May 2022

Multiple venues, London

Free

Loop Loop by Elizabeth Ashdown at the The Experimental Weave Lab

The Experimental Weave Lab (TEWL) is the City of London’s first contemporary weaving season. The season aims to explore the innovative, interstitial spaces that weavers work within throughout UK craft, research, art, design and industry.

TEWL's 6-month residency programme launches in April 2022, enabling resident makers to spend a prolonged period of time researching and developing approaches to their craft whilst pushing the boundaries of their practice.

For London Craft Week TEWL present a curated programme of events and an exhibition, exploring the rare and fascinating world of handmade passementerie. One of the rarest textile crafts, passementerie is the art of creating decorative ribbons, trimmings, braids, cords and fringes. Passementerie is classed as an endangered craft by the Heritage Crafts Association and historically was designed and made in the City of London.

To view TEWL's full programme and register your attendance, please visit eventbrite.

Plan your visit

Wednesday 11 May | Clothworkers’ Hall

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of handmade passementerie with live demonstrations from Clare Hedges and Elizabeth Ashdown on the loom. Take a tour of the contemporary passementerie exhibition and try your hand at the cord spinning workshop.

Thursday 12 May | St. Olave’s Parish Hall

Peer behind the scenes of a working weaving studio and explore the work of exceptional British weavers. Weavers in residence include Elizabeth Ashdown, Philippa Brock, Sally Holditch and Ismini Samindou.

Friday 13 May | Clothworkers’ Hall

Alongside TEWL artists, Jessica Light will be demonstrating how she creates her unique and contemporary handmade tassels and rosettes. There’ll also be time to explore the passementerie exhibition and learn how to spin cords in a live workshop.

Saturday 14 May | St. Olave’s Parish Hall

Join heritage craft specialist Elizabeth Ashdown for an exclusive contemporary passementerie workshop. You will learn how to create your own samples using frame looms. Whether you're interested in interior design, accessories, fashion design, or fine art, this workshop will teach you the introductory skills you need to create your own fabulous hand-woven designs.

Sunday 15 May | St. Olave’s Parish Hall

TEWL opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes look at a working weaving studio. See exceptional British weavers in action and explore works by Elizabeth Ashdown, Philippa Brock, Sally Holditch and Ismini Samindou.

Make! Craft! Live!

What's on

About The Experimental Weave Lab

TEWL aims to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of weaving in the City of London. For centuries the City was a site of weaving, cloth tentering and passementerie weaving. TEWL’s work reengages communities with textile techniques and highlights the numerous ways that weavers work today.

TEWL is generously supported by The Clothworkers' Company, The Weavers' Company, The Mercers' Company, The Drapers' Company and the City of London 'Inspiring Culture Through Creativity' fund. Wit thanks to Peggy & Kate and Mary Restieaux.

Visit theexperimentalweavelab.co.uk
Follow @the_experimental_weave_lab