Category: Craft

  • Roz Mexted

    In the 1980s, knitwear designer Roz Mexted produced high fashion knitting patterns that could be made at home. Designer Knits, Roz Mexted’s publication from 1989 has just been added to the studio library. This book features 22 original handknit designs and has instructions on reading a pattern, making a tension check, adjusting patterns for size,…

  • Fiddler on the Roof

    It has been many decades since “Fiddler on the Roof”, a musical and movie was made but it still has a message to tell. Fiddler on the Roof is the story of a Jewish community in Russia at the start of the last century. The times were turbulent with persecution and unrest, and the family…

  • Update on the studio

    The studio has been busy this week. There been visitors from Norway, Finland, New Zealand, Scotland and England, and New Zealand and our volunteers have been in as well as some local people. It is the start of the summer season and with the good weather come the visitors. There has been a change-around at…

  • Grilled cheese art

    Who doesn’t like grilled cheese?! Thanks to a reader of the blog even those who are lactose-intolerant can partake!

  • Napier – the Art Deco city

    Please be aware that this story contains links to websites with images of earthquake damage and descriptions of the earthquake and its aftermath. It may be distressing for some. In 1931 Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s North Island experienced a devastating earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake started at 10:47 in…

  • The art and craft of Bornean ikat

    Yesterday a friend shared an amazing experience: a visit to Sarawak to experience the creation of ikat. Ikat is a patterning technique that begins with threads in a warp, or weft, or both, are tied in patterns before dyeing. The tied areas resist dye and so a pattern emerges as these threads are then woven…

  • The Dowse Art Gallery

    The Dowse is in Lower Hutt outside Pōneke Wellington and it is always worth a visit. At present the exhibitions are Softy: Textiles from the Dowse Collection, Wing and a Prayer, Uana/ Carried By The Waves by Claudia Jowitt, and Whakahokihoki: Jewellery from the Dowse Collection. There is also an interactive installation, Wheel of Avalon,…

  • New books in the library

    Some new books have been added to the library. Stitches in Time by Sue Bradley. Aussie Fair by Liz Gemmell The Gentleman’s Wardrobe by Vanessa Mooncie This British book was republished in 2020 and includes simple instructions and patterns for making old-style wallets, jackets, dressing gowns and the like, for discerning men who enjoy dressing-up…

  • Patterns in the collection

    This week the collection of sewing and knitting patterns grew with the addition of a couple of generous gifts.

  • New opening hours

    The studio is now open for the summer. Opening hours for the studio are 11am to 3pm on weekdays, and by appointment. Call +64 (0)224 058 526 or send an email to make a date to come in. Something from the studio collection is on display in the window, and there is art to look…