I mentioned that I over the weekend I attended a subverted tea towel workshop with Holly Searle at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Using vintage tea towels, the original meaning is subverted by adding a statement which alters the original perspective. It was fun and a great way to spend a morning.

The Fashion and Textile Museum

I’ve been to the Fashion and Textile Museum a few times now. It’s a wonderful exhibition space near London Bridge. At the moment they have an exhibition called Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop. Cosprop specialises in period costume for film, television and theatre.

From A Room with a View, to Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders, you can explore some of the most famous costumes from film and television. Entry to the exhibition was included with my workshop ticket, but by the time I was able to go in, the exhibition space was packed and a bit difficult to see many of the costumes. I loved this flamboyant costume for a King.

This exhibition is on until the 8th March and worth a visit if you are in London.

Subverted tea towel workshop

My workshop took place in one of the study rooms at the museum. Holly Searle, aka The Subversive Stitcher, was inspired by the Victorian Mary Frances Heaton. She aims to draw her audience’s attention to matters of social injustice and to empower women through the medium of vintage tea towels.

I’ve seen Holly’s work before at the Knitting and Stitching Show back in 2024. Her subverted tea towels were hung in the entrance hall and made for an eye-catching and thought provoking display. I’ve wanted to join one of her workshops ever since.

First, Holly talked to us about her art and what inspired her – look up Mary Frances Heaton who embroidered her story into pieces of textiles. Holly had brought along some of her stitched tea towels for inspiration, as well as vintage tea towels for us to work on and a selection of colourful felt letters.

I looked through the vintage tea towels, many were advertising ones with pictures and text. The idea was to choose one which resonated with you, which you could embellish with the felt letters. I chose a vintage map of Ireland but someone picked a Babybel tea towel, another a vintage Liberty one. Everyone came up with some words which subverted the original meaning of the tea towel.

My teens have not been to Ireland (apparently Belfast doesn’t count) and they are keen to visit their Irish roots. I hand stitched the letters MADE IN IRELAND, as well as our surname along the top.

I didn’t quite have time to stitch all the letters on but this was fun to complete at home. I loved the 2 hour workshop, time flew by, and there’s nothing like sitting and stitching on a Saturday morning.