Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

MAKERS CENTRAL SHOWCASES CREATIVE TALENT ONCE AGAIN Following its successful launch last year, Makers Central will run once again at the NEC in May 2019. The event focuses largely on YouTube makers, giving enthusiasts a chance to see their favourite personalities in action with live demonstrations, Q&As and meet and greet opportunities. Famous faces in 2018 included Jimmy Diresta, Bobby Dukes Arts and Alex Steele, who each have more than 1.3 million subscribers on the online video platform. Visitors will be able to try out a range of activities including wood turning, ice sculpting, robotics and pyrography, as well as shopping for handmade goods and crafting materials. Big names will include Colin Furze, one of the UK’s best-known YouTube makers. “With our first show, we didn’t really expect the numbers that came through the door,” says Nick Zametti, the show’s founder. “The queues on the opening day were huge, which shocked the NEC staff. The feedback we have had from visitors, exhibitors and the community as a whole has been incredible, which meant we had no other option than to put on another show in 2019.” Keep up with latest developments at makerscentral.co.uk NEW DRESSMAKING COMPETITION AT KNITTING & STITCHING SHOW This year’s Spring Knitting & Stitching Show will feature a brand-new competition for skilled eco-minded seamstresses and tailors. Focusing on sustainability, the contest will include three categories. The first, A Dress from your Stash, requires entrants to make a garment from an old pattern with unused fabric from their home collection. Category two, Go Green, will require clothes to be made from non-traditional items like paper, bubble wrap and plastic bottles. The third category, Upcycle an Existing Garment will challenge entrants to transform an old item into something completely different. All competition pieces must be wearable and will need an accompanying back story that includes details about the ideas, materials and patterns used. Entries will be displayed in the show’s Competition Finalists’ Gallery for the duration of the event, and creators will be invited to take part in a fun, informal catwalk show with garments modelled by their makers. The judges will include TV presenter and sewing teacher Wendy Gardiner and show director Katie Ventresca. An overall winner will be voted for by visitors and prizes will include an Adjustoform dress form worth over £100 and a new sewing machine. “The fashion industry and fast fashion in particular have become synonymous with poor environmental and ethical behaviour,” explains Katie. “Designing and making clothes by hand using recycled materials is the antidote to that. The competition will be a celebration of ethical craft and dressmaking talent. We can’t wait to see some creative entries.” The show will take place at Olympia London from 28 th February to 3 rd March 2019. Highlights will include a dressmaking sewing school featuring full and half-day workshops and a preview of the Fashion and Textile Museum’s forthcoming Zandra Rhodes exhibition. There will be a host of demonstrations, exhibitions by leading textile artists, drop- in knitting and crochet sessions and the latest knitting and stitching equipment. To enter the competition or book tickets visit the website at theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring shows, news and events BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW AT WWW.MAKERSCENTRAL.CO.UK INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING AT THIS MAKERS SHOW? CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO COME & JOIN US AT ONE OF THE UKS BIGGEST MAKERS EVENTS. A TWO DAY FAMILY-FRIENDLY EXHIBITION OF INVENTION AND CREATIVITY. BRINGING TOGETHER 1000 S OF CRAFTERS, MAKERS, BUILDERS AND INVENTORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO MAKE STUFF AND WANT TO SHARE THEIR PASSION. BROUGHT TO YOU BY: SATURDAY 11 TH MAY - SUNDAY 12 TH MAY 2019 NEC BIRMINGHAM THIS YEAR’S HEADLINE MAKERS: SPONSOREDBY: COLIN FURZE BOB- ILIKETOMAKESTUFF JIMMY DIRESTA • LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS • Q&A WITH MAKERS • GET INVOLVED & DISCOVER NEW CRAFTS • KIDS WORKSHOPS • PRIZE DRAWS • SHOP FOR TOOLS, SUPPLIES & HAND CRAFTED PIECES BOBBY DUKE ARTS 28 craft focus