Textile Mills and a new Studio

FROM EAST TO WEST

I’ve always loved the fabric mills of Ireland and it brings me great pleasure to set up my new studio space at Blackstaff Mill in West Belfast. Click here for a full history of the mill.

Colour and Cloth started at my dining room table over 12 years ago. Classes were held in my home studio for a few years until the business outgrew my house. I always maintained a room in my home for my personal studio space even after I moved the courses to bigger premises.

Firstly I rented a space with Marie at Titanic Denim. Then Covid struck. My next studio was upstairs at Folklore Yarns, then upstairs with Hab and Fab. This studio served me well for 2 years. Then I decided to shift my ‘studio’ to a 6 wheeled motorhome for a few months.

Still searching for the perfect design and sewing studio, I have happily crossed the city and headed into the West.

WHY I LOVE OLD MILLS

Growing up in Portadown, County Armagh we lived very close to Blacker’s Mill which wove ‘Castleisland Tweed’. My mum and I often visited the mill and saw the looms and weavers at work. We were told* that that both Chanel and Christian Lacroix had used Castleisland Tweed. When it closed in the 80’s I was blessed to be given some of the sample hangers of this beautiful tweed. It has such a distinctive look.

A few years back I called into Marie Curie Cancer in Belfast and I spotted a tweed coat. I knew it was Castleisland tweed before I even touched it! Quality fabrics speak for themselves. I often drive past the old mill which has since been redeveloped a few times. With textiles and sewing, there are always personal links and stories to be told as I discovered when I visited earlier this year.

THE NEW STUDIO

Located at 81 Springfield Road, Blackstaff Mill offers my students a creative studio steeped in textile history. A working linen mill from 1833 – 1900 this Belfast landmark was one of hundreds that graced the city skyline in the period.

Blackstaff Mill has modern lifts, an abundance of free parking and easy access from the motorways. It is host to many creative businesses. It is a 20 minute walk from Belfast city centre and served by buses and taxis. To date Translink have not confirmed the opening of the new Grand Central train Station.

Colour and Cloth teach all levels of Sewing Courses and Workshops so no matter what level you are at, there is no better time to start than now. The new dates for my Sewing courses are online now for booking.