Once
upon a time,
before the town of Portsmouth was founded, this coastline was made
up of creeks, low-lying marsh and water. Over the centuries the coastline
has altered, but the town's position here on the south coast, its
proximity to the open sea, coupled with control of the harbour and
its entrance, have secured Portsmouth's place in history as one of
the world's great anchoranges and a rendevouz for British shipping
in times of war for over 800 years
“In Stitches” festival of stitching and embroidery, April-May 2009
Celebrating 25 years of the Overlord Embroidery
in Portsmouth, 1984-2009
By the D-Day Museum, in association with Portsmouth City Council’s Arts Service
Funded by Arts Council England South East
The “In Stitches” Festival of Stitching and Embroidery aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the D-Day Museum, and the 35th anniversary of the completion the Overlord Embroidery, which is housed in the museum at Portsmouth. The festival is also particularly appropriate in this year, the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
The festival’s various activities are aimed at a varied audience, including children and families, and novices and experts alike. We hope that the festival will enable participants to increase their skills and confidence through exploring a range of artistic techniques.
Also see the talks and films in May, June and July, listed on our main events page.
Quick Links:
Workshops with artists June Heap and Clare Proctor
Artist in Residence days
Artist June Heap will be at the D-Day Museum during normal opening hours, and visitors can see her embroidery work and find out more about the techniques she uses. No booking required. No charge to see artisit in residence. Usual admission fee applies to the remainder of the D-Day Museum
Friday 10 April (Bank Holiday)
Saturday 11 April
Monday 13 April (Bank Holiday)
Sunday 19 April
Saturday 2 May (AM only)
Saturday 9 May
Wednesday 13 May
Thursday 14 May
Sunday 17 May
Saturday 30 May
Sunday 31 May
Saturday 6 June
Family embroidery activities, with artists June Heap and Clare Proctor
No booking required, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Unless stated, all are at the D-Day Museum. No charge to take part in the family activities. Usual admission fee applies to the remainder of the D-Day Musuem.
Sunday 12 April – Making buttons.
Wednesday 15 April – Making buttons, at the City Museum & Records Office (free admission to all visitors).
Sunday 3 May – Printing your own map onto silk, inspired by wartime silk escape maps.
Monday 4 May (Bank Holiday) – Printing your own map onto silk, inspired by wartime silk escape maps.
Thursday 28 May (Half Term) – Transferring designs onto fabrics using the “pricking and pouncing” technique.
Workshops with artists June Heap and Clare Proctor
A series of workshops on working with textiles, drawing inspiration from the Overlord Embroidery, which is on display at the D-Day Museum.
For June Heap’s workshops, after places have been booked an information sheet will be sent out about what to bring on the day. For Clare Proctor’s workshops, please just bring a sharp pair of scissors.
Monday 20 April – Creating three-dimensional sculptures using uniforms, hats, gloves and buttons, to create highly original pieces, with artist Clare Proctor. Each of Clare’s workshops will be different, depending on the materials being worked used. At the D-Day Museum, 1pm-3pm.
Monday 20 April – Machine Embroidery for beginners, with artist June Heap. At the D-Day Museum, 6pm-8pm.
Click here for information sheet
Tuesday 28 April – Basic drawing, collage and design for hand and machine stitched artworks, with artist June Heap. At the D-Day Museum, 6pm-8pm.
Click here for information sheet
Saturday 2 May – Transferring drawings and designs onto a base fabric, for future stitched and embroidered works, using traditional and digital methods, with artist June Heap. At the D-Day Museum, 1pm-3pm.
Click here for information sheet
Wednesday 6 May – Machine Embroidery for improvers, using a variety of techniques including using soluble fabrics, with artist June Heap. At the D-Day Museum, 6pm-8pm.
Click here for information sheet
Friday 8 May – Creating three-dimensional sculptures using uniforms, hats, gloves and buttons, to create highly original pieces, with artist Clare Proctor. Each of Clare’s workshops will be different, depending on the materials being worked used. At the D-Day Museum, 6pm-8pm.
Monday 11 May – Creating three-dimensional sculptures using uniforms, hats, gloves and buttons, to create highly original pieces, with artist Clare Proctor. Each of Clare’s workshops will be different, depending on the materials being worked used. At the D-Day Museum, 1pm-3pm.
Friday 15 May – "Make do and Mend", exploring the creative potential of darning and patching, both by hand and sewing machine, with artist June Heap. At the D-Day Museum, 1pm-3pm.
Click here for information sheet
Wednesday 20 May – Creating three-dimensional sculptures using uniforms, hats, gloves and buttons, to create highly original pieces, with artist Clare Proctor. Each of Clare’s workshops will be different, depending on the materials being worked used. At the D-Day Museum, 6pm-8pm.
Friday 29 May – Developing and altering photographs and drawings for stitched artworks, using computer software, with artist June Heap. Workshop takes place in the computer suite at Friendship House, Elm Grove, Southsea, 1pm-3pm. Please note the venue for this session is different from the other workshops.
Click here for information sheet
How to book for workshops:
There will be ten places on each workshop, and tickets are £5 per person per workshop. To book, please telephone 023 9282 7261 to pay by credit/debit card (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm – say that you wish to book an “In Stitches” workshop), or call in at the D-Day Museum on Clarence Esplanade (seven days a week, 10am-5pm, payment by cash or cheque only). Tickets must be paid for in advance, and places cannot be reserved without payment.
For more information about the D-Day Museum, contact:
Portsmouth Museums & Records Service
City Museum and Records Office
Museum Road
Portsmouth PO1 2LJ
Tel: 023 9282 7261
Fax: 023 9287 5276
email: mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Details are correct at time of upload. Every effort will be made to keep this site up-to-date but Portsmouth City Council reserves the right to make changes to the programme in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
