Mandy is best known for her textile collages which incorporate vintage and antique fabrics, repurposed needlework made by previous generations, lace and fragments of old quilt.
The fabric book format allows her to work on  an intimate scale with just small scraps of preciousness. Each page can have a different mood though sometimes there is a narrative be it stitch, a colour or a favourite fabric that runs through the whole book. In this workshop you will choose to construct either a side bound book or a concertina book . It will be very personal to you so spend some time collecting things together that you really want to use . Some special pieces of fabric, a piece of antique garment that you could deconstruct or a collection of lace  might  start your story off .  Mandy will bring some examples of other book formats so that you go away fully inspired to make fabric books to use up all those special bits you have been wondering how to use.
Essential materials that students must provide.
One metre of heavy weight calico for the pages. If you prefer to use an antique linen bring this instead.
A collection of special bits and pieces to use for the collages – antique fabrics, lace, anything old and worn, domestic embroideries from charity shops, printed fabrics, ethnic textiles such as Indian embroidery, old fashioned looking florals, toile de jouy, bits of old patchwork
Sewing threads that “go” with your textile collection
A box of embroidery threads – stranded cottons and perle thread best
Personal sewing kit – needles, scissors and LOTS of pins
Mandy will bring a small amount of  vintage textiles which can be shared but is essential that you provide your own collage pieces and material for your fabric pages.