The artist behind Untangled Threads and
HMB Stitchbook Pages
Helen Birmingham is a Textile Artist, but she is just as happy to be called a maker, a facilitator or a teacher. She loves working with textiles. Textiles have a direct connection to her understanding of what it is to be human: a form of identification, of belonging, of history. She works with fabric, print, poetry and prose. Helen is fascinated by evolution and heredity - that chance mutation, a repetition, another layer formed. It is important to her that her work is accessible .. using materials, methods, techniques and skills which are familiar - which have passed through generations.
As well as running Untangled Threads, Helen runs a collective of nearly 200 individuals who work together on Group Textile Projects under her guidance called The Stitchbook Collective. She writes, produces and publishes a monthly magazine. Helen believes that stitching and creating as part of a Group, is the very essence of community. It offers individuals a chance to look inwards, whilst at the same time allows everyone to be valued and respected, as an essential part of the whole …
Helen Birmingham
Untangled Threads
As well as being the home of The Stitchbook Collective, Untangled Threads provides INSPIRATION, workshops, an online shop and a physical gallery space for individuals, and groups, to engage in contemporary textile projects. Like all small businesses, Untangled Threads has to change and adapt to survive. Its evolution and success is something which Helen Birmingham is hugely proud of.
FUNDRAISING
The first group project which Untangled Threads undertook in 2017/18 was focussed around the beginnings of Occupational Therapy and how the practice of craft techniques and mental health are inextricably linked. Since then, fundraising for mental health charities has become one of Untangled Threads' primary motivators.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Untangled Threads' intention is to encourage the use of recycled or deadstock fabrics and yarns wherever possible. All of the kits and inspiration packs are made from donated or recycled goods. Untangled Threads are committed to using environmentally friendly and socially ethical suppliers wherever possible.
HMB Stitchbooks
"I designed the original stitchbook to give me a safe place to keep all the little bits of hand-sewn 'slow stitch meditations' which have no 'end result in mind' at the time. I was particularly pleased with the method of binding which I devised, and the fact that the design allows you to stitch samples into the book WITHOUT affecting the work on the previous page. So the HMB Stitchbook was born."
The pages are designed as small bags or pockets with tabs, so that:
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a barrier can be placed into the pocket whilst attaching samples, so you aren't stitching through to the other side,
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the thickness of any samples can easily be accommodated by using appropriately sized spacer beads,
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pages can be added easily,
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the A5 size is perfect for daily slow stitch meditation samples,
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the book is easily portable (cloth bags and travel tins are available).
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HMB Stitchbook design and intellectual property right is covered by unregistered design legislation. Copyright and Design Registration Number pending. www.untangledthreads.co.uk 16th July 2019.
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The design can be copied for personal use ONLY.
The original HMB Stitchbook pages were produced ethically in Pondicherry, India under the registered trademark Bags of Ethics. The pages were used for The Stitchbook Project 2019/20