We work with thousands of people in Tower Hamlets and across London, and have run hundreds of projects in over 20 years of existence. Find below details of a few of our past projects.
Click here to find out about our current projects and founding project.
Topiary Hedge 2005
In the Topiary figure project led by artist Tajender Sagoo we worked with several other women's groups on the botanical embroideries on a screen printed topiary themed textile base. We then watched intrigued as our flat embroideries were assembled into a striking three dimensional piece which was displayed at Kensington Palace.
Dainty Dish
Dainty Dish project created a banqueting table installation for the vaults at the Tower of London. The tablecloth was printed and embroidered with reminiscences fashioned into recipes by a professional storyteller and topped with 3D embroidered oysters, prawns and other fine foods. A representative of the group was introduced to the Queen at the opening of the Tower Vaults.
Gas Towers 2007
Harford Street gas tower was the inspiration for this textile installation for Harford Street Medical Centre. There are fine examples of the group's embroidery skills with subject matter reflecting the history of gas in the area from the showrooms displaying the latest models to portraits of the gas workers themselves. It's a great feeling to have your work displayed in a public building.
Textile Circuit Olympiad 2010-12
The Textile Circuit was a large-scale exhibition programme, at 8 community venues, from Bow along the Commercial Road to the Tower of London, exploring links between the area’s heritage and international trade at the East London Docks through community made textile-based artworks. Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: ‘The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like Textile Circuit are enabling people in Tower Hamlets to make positive life changes.’
Julian’s School Project 2011
This cross-curriculum project involved delivering tailored creative classes and outcomes to each year of Julian's primary school. From Reception to Year 6, each class's collective outcomes were tailored to creatively explore a theme of their current learning. From silk painting scenes of Roman life, researched on a trip the British Museum, and making them into Roman helmets, to looking at graphic design and redesigning the school logo, the project ended in a whole school exhibition and celebration, sharing work with each other and parents.
Tired Of Being Tired Arts Festival
Devised entirely by local children from our Youth groups and playschemes to wake adults up! This free event was held at Limehouse Town Hall with art and video installations, dances and other presentations and activities to engage young and old about what do to do if you’re feeling Tired of Being Tired.
1000 Coats Project
1000 Coats was a collaborative project between artist Whitney McVeigh, London College of Fashion and east London communities. Working with up to 100 women, 1000 coats will be co-created and gifted to children, reflecting on how art can inspire community, cohesion and social change. Participants developed the key skills required to make winter coats, and together create a thousand. These coats will be distributed to children in partnership with Family Action.
Phonemic Chart 2015
Our Elders Embroidery group created an embroidered phonemic chart to use in English lessons with the English for Sewing class. Participants chose something to illustrate each symbol on the chart: dipthongs, consonants and vowels. It's a useful resource linking the two groups, the embroideries were fun to do and are much admired.
St Paul's Cathedral
An intergenerational project to explore cross faith ideas about what it means to have or find 'Sacred Space'. Through sharing ideas, participants combined their works to construct a textile sacred space within St Paul's Cathedral, for gathering, reflection and making.
The Fellowship Inn
A multi-arts project, funded by Heritage Lottery and Arts Council, working with Bellingham communities in this renovation project. We have been exploring the heritage and people's memories of this historic pub, hearing how it was lived and trained in by Henry Cooper before Muhhamed Ali fight, and played in by Fleetwood Mac. Capturing these memories in stitch, this project will culminate in a collaborative, community made textile hanging, displayed in the renovated building.