WORKSHOP AND TALK  - LIZ ASHURST 13 - 14th July 2007

TALK

“The Indian Experience - Travelling with Constance”  

WORKSHOP

“Inspiration from India"  

The recurrent theme of light, colour and energy incorporating shisha mirrors.

TALK:

The talk 'Travels with Constance' included many slides of a trip that Liz did to
India in the early 90's in which Constance Howard also participated. There were
many examples of the life that was led in the towns and countryside and many of
the crafts that the Indian people worked. Liz brought lots of pieces of
embroidered and dyed fabric for us to look at and touch. We discussed the
stitches and the many ways in which the shisha mirrors were attached.

Tie dye with tiny patterns

Buttons, shells and cabouchons

Different ways of using shisha

Discussing a shisha runner

Fabric samples

Heads down everyone

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Liz Ashurst with her silk scarves

Looking at the shisha stitches

So, how is it done then

Large and small shisha

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Workshop:

The workshop was designed to help students look at embroideries more closely and
appreciate the patterns and stitches used in them.
Students were asked to pick out patterns and make up a new design which
incorporated many of the stitches and colours. A great time was had by all and
some were even coaxed into trying on a turban.

Discussing the samples

Liz arranging the display

A paisley design to examine

Embroidered animals

Shisha mirrors

Decorative borders

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Patterns and borders with shisha

Shisha patterns for a door lintel

Shisha stitches on purses

Pattern designs on purses

Shisha sampler

Fabric patterns

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More fabric patterns

Bobbles and buttons

Working out a design

Elephants and birds

Liz demonstrating a shisha stitch

How to wear a turban

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A turban party

Sketches and samples

More sketches with samples

Sampling the stitches

Making a design by selecting patterns

Designing with one paisley pattern