Win tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show London

Are you looking for inspiration for your next craft project? Ticket lines are now open for The Knitting & Stitching Show London which takes place at Alexandra Palace (affectionately known as Ally Pally) from 11^th-15^th October 2017.

This unique show is the biggest event for the UK’s textile art, craft and design community and there is no better place to get great ideas, learn new skills and meet like-minded people. The show attracts over 30,000 visitors and hosts Textile Galleries by world-leading artists and groups.

Headline exhibitions for 2017 are:

Units of Possibility – The Reknit Revolution (supported by Rugby Art Gallery and Museum) by Amy Twigger Holroyd in which the knit designer and maker shares an array of inventive and satisfying techniques to rework the garments in our wardrobes.
Traces in Cloth by Diana Harrison – a presentation of selected past exhibition projects, together with a new collection of material showing the marks left behind in cloth through carefully controlled use of dye, stitch and print.
The Embellished Handbag by Hand & Lock – a collection of one of a kind, uniquely embellished handbags which celebrate 250 years of fashion and embroidery and showcase Hand & Lock’s collaborations with a selection of internationally renowned luxury accessory companies.
Precious Memories by Jo Beattie – a reflection on memories of people, objects and places, the work is drawn on a sewing machine and developed with other mixed media techniques producing 2D and 3D images.
The Sewing Machine Project by Studio 21 – an exhibition which explores all aspects of the sewing machine. Each member has produced a comprehensive body of work that reflects their personal interest in this transformational machine.

Other artists and groups appearing include Ann Small, Fi Oberon, Rachael Howard, Haf Weighton, Hilary Hollingworth, Hilary Waters Fayle and Sarah Waters and Hue, New Embroidery Group, Quinary and the Royal School of Needlework.

Established over 25 years ago, The Knitting & Stitching Show London offers something for everyone, from complete beginners looking to start a new hobby to experts looking for inspiration for ambitious new projects. In The Learning Curve programme (in association with Groves), top craft tutors host over 220 practical workshops covering every aspect of textile craft imaginable and there is a lively programme of talks and discussions by leading figures from the textile world. In The Dressmaking Studio (in association with Vlieseline Freudenberg), sewing experts explain the basics of dressmaking while in The Creative Living Theatre, there are demonstrations by well-known knit and stitch stars. There are knitting and crochet drop-in sessions from the UK Hand Knitting Association and Craft in Action features accomplished textile crafters at work. There’s also an unbeatable opportunity to stock up on fabric and other essential supplies, with hundreds of specialist retailers under one roof.

New for 2017 is the glamorous McCall Pattern Company Cocktail Party in aid of the Eve Appeal. Following its popular Vintage Sew-alongs and tea parties, McCall is launching The Cocktail Hour Sew-along. Shimmy into one of Vogue® Patterns elegant Cocktail Collection designs (available from www.sewdirect.com) and for every pattern sold, McCall’s will make a donation to the Eve Appeal. Cocktail Hour takes place at 4.30pm-6pm on Wednesday 11^th October. Tickets cost £26 (+£1.50 booking fee) and include full entry to The Knitting & Stitching Show on Wednesday 11^th October, entry to The Cocktail Party with cocktails, finger buffet, tea and coffee, a donation to the Eve Appeal and a photograph of your stylish creation.

London has a thriving textile scene and a world-leading reputation for creativity, but according to leading figures from the textile world, children lack opportunities to explore their creativity in school. Artists, designers and craftspeople appearing at The Knitting & Stitching Show support the Campaign for Creativity to protect creative and craft subjects in education and to encourage more adults to explore their creative side to improve health and wellbeing. Visitors to The Knitting & Stitching Show can support the campaign by signing a petition on change.org and with some craft activism. Supporters are stitching signatures for a unique cloth petition which is travelling across the UK before being presented to the Education Secretary later this year. Stitched signatures can be made at or brought along to the London show or sent to campaign HQ at: The Campaign for Creativity, Twistedthread, 58 White Lion Street, London N1 9PP.

Tickets for The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace cost £14.50 in advance (concessions £13) with a wide selection of options available at www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london or by calling 0844 581 1319 (+44 0121 796 6100 from outside the UK). Use my code GINGER17 to get a £2.50 discount on advance adult tickets and £1 off advance concessions (£12 instead of £14.50 / £13).