The Plot Thickens 
Exhibition at Hyde Hall, Essex, in September 2015
​and Snape Maltings, Suffolk, in April 2016

​Textile Artists taking part:
Eileen Beales, Chris Brojan, Chris Bonnett, Ann Brown,
Wendy Greene, Karen Ives, Rita Johnson, Tabatha Mitchel-Simons,
Elizabeth Nicholls, Dot Reed, Elizabeth Taylor

 
“The Plot Thickens” exhibition by OTT – The 02 Textile Group at RHS Hyde Hall in Essex – was on display in September.  The colourful gardens extended into the exhibition hall as garden themed textiles included quilting, felting, printing, dyeing, collaging, hand and machine embroidery as well as soft sculpture.  There was a good selection of styles, varying colour schemes and good humour, as well as more serious subjects.
In tribute Zoe Cox, who died in March 2015, all members of the group created at least one butterfly to be arranged together with a machine embroidered butterfly that had been made by Zoe; these made a colourful and impressive display.
Another group project entitled “On the Fence” showed a variety of 3D pieces, from quilted snails to a wire and ribbon sculpture called Cock-a-Doodle Blue.
Tabatha Mitchel-Simons produced a Barbed Wire Series of delicate panels of patchwork backgrounds with machine embroidered flowers. 
Rita Johnson was inspired by the gardeners at work that she had recorded in her sketchbook. She used layers of colourful, dyed and mono-printed fabrics with hand and machine stitching to draw in the figures and detail. 
Elizabeth Taylor focused on sunflowers and produced several garments including an exquisitely made silk jacket that was embellished with a sunflower made from applique and beading.   A fine dyed silk lined the jacket. 
Wendy Greene made brightly coloured panels of silk using hand and machine embroidery.  
Chris Brojan also used bright colours and produced whimsical flowers made from beads, buttons and applique.
Karen Ives chose vintage fabrics, lace and images to create interesting collages of memories of grandmothers and a very imaginative and delicate Fragile Garden made in a printer’s tray.
The excellent Sales Table included postcards of work on display, handmade cards, and inspiration packs of fabrics of different textures in a related colour with accompanying lace, braid, or ribbon.
There will be another chance to view the exhibition in April, at the Pond Gallery, Snape Maltings, Suffolk, 15-20 April, and as the standard and presentation of the work at Hyde Hall was high it will be well worth a visit.

To see an enlarged image of the pieces click on the thumbnails.​

Barbed Wire Series by Tabatha Mitchel-Simons

Sunflower Jacket by Elizabeth Taylor

TLC for the Pond by Rita Johnson

Coming up Roses by Wendy Greene

Memories of Granny G by Karen Ives

Alliums by Chris Brojan