a good conversation from #SeptTextileLove 2020
When the thoughts and images from individual participants for a #SeptTextileLove prompt are read together, conversations are created across the hashtag. To make the ephemeral a little more permanent, I have brought our chat from connections on Day 17 of the #SeptTextileLove Instagram challenge together; letting the participants speak without interruption.
The conversation started from some of our smallest connections, the neurons in our brain; through to the hand and touch; to materiality, textile processes and practice. This post concerns connections between family; friends; textile groups; and collaboration and community.
Family
“This beautiful little quilt was handmade for me by my aunt when I was born, almost 44 years ago. It’s a cot quilt and made from the most beautiful patterned fabrics. I’ve treasured this for years as it serves as a wonderful connection to my aunt who I’m very close to. One day, it’ll be passed onto my daughter, so keeping the family connection going.” @wendykirwoodartist
Friends
“Last year with @thetourstudio and @textile.haven @colour.woven @maiergail @michele_meister in Florence for a weaving and textiles program. Great new connections, a wonderful new friend, small weavings and beautiful memories of weaving in such a special place.”
@maryhandweaver
Textile groups
“Thanks to @societyforembroideredwork and the wider #embroideryartist community on Instagram I’ve made lots of really supportive connections.” @stinamacdo
Other groups mentioned in our #SeptTextileLove chat were: @phoenixtextiles, @york_textile_artists, @yorkopenstudios, #connectedartistclub, @committed_to_cloth, @prismtextiles, @carouseltextiles, @kingston_embroiderers.
“I know that social media gets a bad write up sometimes, but it is also an amazing place to talk textiles!” @weavecroftyweave
Collaboration and Community
“The support and inspiration from fellow artists has always been invaluable, but particularly now in this period of coronavirus.” @coombesjo
Thinking further about connections
Textile family treasures imbued with the maker’s touch and thoughts, with the stories behind them, are wonderful mementos of family connections. Will your next piece become a family treasure and embody a cherished connection?
The conversation about the social aspects of connections has confirmed my belief that textiles are a great activity; you can meet lots of lovely people both face-to-face through courses, groups, exhibitions and online through social media, and make new connections. How can we ensure through Covid restrictions that we keep our current connections strong and make new ones?
Thank you to everyone who participated in our #SeptTextileLove conversation. I have included thoughts on connections from as many textilers as possible.
Read the last (connected) instalment tomorrow to see how textiles can create wider connections between place, world and environment; and finally, to history.
Penny Wheeler
seam 
[…] Read the next (connected) instalment to see how textiles can create personal connections between family; friends; textile groups; collaboration and community. […]
[…] through to the hand and touch; to materiality, textile processes and practice. It then moved onto connections between family; friends; textile groups; and collaboration and community. This final post expands to connections to place, our environment and the world and the rich […]