Our talks
Need an Asian textiles expert for your UK event?
Jim and Di did their first talk in 1987 at Liverpool Museum (to accompany an exhibition of batik) and since then have given talks to Quilters, Embroiderers, Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, museum groups, teachers and college students across the UK as well as in Malaysia, Indonesia and the USA.
For the time being they are doing very few talks (just to accompany exhibitions or for our World Textile Days), but if you do have a special request then please email us - you never know, Jim or Di might come out of semi-retirement for you!
If we have anything in the pipeline, you can find them on our events page.
Batik: The people behind the cloth
Beautiful batik textiles from Java. You will never look at batik in the same way again!
The people of Java produce the finest batik in the world, and yet most of the makers are poor and their stories remain untold.
The traditions of making this unique fabric by waxing and dyeing are centuries old and carefully passed on from mother to daughter.
You will be amazed at the patience and expert skills which are needed to make these beautiful cloths and fascinated by the stories and the people behind them.
A people's life told in textiles
A journey through south east Asia showing fabulous textiles and the vital role they play in the lives of those who make, use and wear them.
Come on a journey from Guizhou and Yunnan in south western China all the way through Laos, Thailand, Java and the islands as far as the island of Sumba In Indonesia. On the way you can admire the wonderful variety of techniques used to make hand made textiles and beautiful garments which show the identity of the women (and some men of course!) who make, use and wear them.
Embroidery, applique and dyeing with natural dyes, fine brocade weaving, ikat (both weft and warp) batik and the production of hemp and silk fabrics are all still much in evidence in these areas rich in textile heritage.
Silk from the Ancient Kingdoms
Fabulous silk weavings, batiks, brocades and ikats from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia.
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have long been famous for their silk, and to this day, silkworms are raised and the silk spun and woven in the traditional way by village women on the looms below their homes.
In the past 50 years a complete revival of this dying art has occurred and silk production is now thriving. A look at how and why, and lots of beautiful silk - old and new from these ancient Kingdoms.
The Future of Hand Made Textiles
How long can the traditions of making labour intensive hand made textiles continue? A thought provoking talk.
Making beautiful hand made textiles is extremely labour intensive, so do we take them for granted? And how long can these traditions continue? What are the prospects for the makers, and the traditional way of life represented by such wonderful textiles?
We’ll look at the past and possible future solutions in this thought provoking talk illustrated with some of our very best textiles from around the world.