Kilgrimol Crafts – Heritage crafts in the heart of Blackpool
Come and join our resident local Living History enthusiast and guest experts as they bring to life crafts from the Northwest’s Heritage, demonstrating the slowly vanishing skills that went into producing our clothing using natural materials.
In the spirit of The Red List of Endangered Crafts by Heritage Crafts we shall be shining a light on some of the heritage craft practices that are in danger of vanishing in the Northwest.By introducing or welcoming back an old friend we hope to inspire the community to think about these crafts and how much they mean for creativity and wellbeing.
Over Autumn and Winter we will take an adventure spanning 10 sessions.
Crafts include
- Drop Spindle and Nalbinding
- Bast Fibers- The Humble Nettle
- Natural Dyes
- Tablet Weave and mini looms
- Wet Felting
- Leatherworking
- Coiled Straw Basket Making
- Straw Hat Plaiting
- Making your own Pigments
- Block Printing
About the sessions
Sessions will be led by our local Living History enthusiast Heather (They/She) or by a visiting artist.
What we’re making
6:30pm-8:30pm, Weds 25 October
Introduction to Heritage Crafts – Natural Dyes Currently Viable craft
We know that fabrics, leather and woods can be dyed with natural dyes, but you would be surprised at what can be obtained from the world around you!. Guiding you in this fascinating world of colour and using hand dyeing techniques discover something that can revitalise your wardrobe, or be used for your textile creations
1pm – 5pm, Saturday 11 November
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Tablet Weave and Mini Looms Currently Viable craft
From making simple straps or using to start much larger looming projects. Tablet Weaving is a rewarding craft to use all that fiber you have made from the garden or local field walking gathering fleece.
6:30pm-8:30pm, Weds 22 November
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Wet Felting Currently Viable craft
Its the season for needing to keep warm in a hurry, no talent for knitting let me show you wet felting and you can make a hat, mittens or socks in a few hours. You can be cosy in no time.
1pm – 5pm, Saturday 9 December
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Leatherwork Currently Viable craft
Making a simple item introduces leatherwork techniques which will hopefully inspire you, like myself, to make your own slippers, purse or belt when you can’t find the style you want, in your size.
Please be aware we will be working with an animal byproduct and utilising Vegetable Dyed Leather not Chromium tans. See Ethical information listed.
1pm – 5pm, Saturday 13 January
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Coiled Straw Basket Making Critically Endangered craft
Basketry is a hard skill to master for those with hand issues, but it is very popular and currently viable. Now to introduce its more accessible ancestor the coiled straw basket. This is a lovely basket that you can be confident you can use for daily use or in the garden as a skep for the bees.
6:30pm-8:30pm, Weds 24 January
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Straw Hat Plaiting Critically Endangered craft
Blackpool Donkeys would be nothing without the iconic straw hat, let me show you this wonderful Critically endangered craft and make a useful item for daily wear.
1pm – 5pm, Saturday 10 February
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Making your own Pigments Endangered craft
(pending artist confirmation)
Always wanted to make your own pigments, me too. Today I take a break and enjoy the lovely guest artist introducing the ancient pigments made from ochres and clay to use in your crafting projects.
6:30pm-8:30pm, Weds 28 February
Introduction to Heritage Crafts Block Printing Endangered craft
Well we enjoyed making the pigments, let’s now make some art to celebrate the final Heritage Craft Session and look back on this wonderful introduction, what other skills will you be discovering next?
We’ll supply
- All materials and tuition
- Hot/cold drinks and tasty snacks
Access
Important physical access info: We’re in the process of having a lift installed. Work should be completed by late 2023. The sessions will take place in the downstairs workshop space. Spaces are limited so please book your spot early to avoid disappointment.
If you have additional access needs (e.g. large print, BSL interpreter, level access) please let us know by emailing (using the contact organiser button/link) or sending us an SMS text/WhatsApp message on 07957 602790.
These sessions are supported by Know Your Neighbourhood funding from Historic England.
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