24th - 25th March 2023
The weekend started with a browse around Birmingham’s local market and fabric shops, which had a wide variety of interesting wares. After a profitable dive into the piles of fabric, we walked off with a few prizes and some new ideas for future projects. Afterwards, we made our way to the hotel, and stayed up late talking, and either working on last minute sewing, or on embroidery and cross stitch projects.
Birmingham Rag Market
The next day, we were up early to get ready. After a short walk to the Forge Mill Needle Museum, we spent a few minutes admiring everyone’s ensembles and chatting. We were greeted by Jo, the Curator of the site.
Jo the Curator welcomes us to Forge Mill
We had 18 attendees: 17 costumers + Louis who was our photographer for the day.
Jo gave us a tour of the grounds of the Abbey, and we learned about the monastic community who made the area their home.
You can see the clear outline of what would have once been a wall in the Abbey.
Jo shows us the tiled floor in the Bordesley Abbey ruins.
This was followed by a look round the museum, and then a delicious lunch spread of sandwiches and sundries.
After lunch, we were treated to a tour of the Mill, led by the fabulous Jo and Tony, who gave us a fascinating glimpse into how needles were manufactured, pointed, straightened, and cleaned, as well as the risks and rewards of working in the needle production industry. We were then served tea and cakes under the pavilion.
We followed this up with a visit to the quilt exhibition currently on display, which included many lovely and unique examples.
The antique needles on display in the Needle Museum
Finally, we made our way back to the hotel where we had dinner, and one of our members, Rachel, gave a demonstration on whipped gathers.
The Forge Mill Needle Museum was incredibly welcoming, and we were delighted by our visit (as well as the gift shop, which was stuffed full of vintage and Redditch-produced sewing needles, ephemera, and tote bags).
Gemma, Rachel, and Kyla with their Redditch Sewing Needles Tote Bags