Textile Ramblings

I had a lovely visit to Ferguson Irish Linen in Banbridge with another rambling buddy....Leanne from Indiana. Leanne first visited Ireland in 2012 and has been a regular visitor since. She takes wonderful photos of her travels which you can find at travelbyleanne.com. We met through a post on my facebook page regarding Donegal tweed and have been friends since, both sharing a love of textiles and photo trails - I point and shoot on auto, Leanne takes the time to adjust her settings and waits for just the right moment to get the perfect shot! Leanne is a avid quilter and had been looking to buy some traditional Irish Linen to use as a base for her amazing Celtic Knots. I'd done the research and discovered that Ferguson's offer factory tours twice a week....we signed up and headed north.

The shop at Ferguson's Irish Linen

Flax, the raw material for linen.

We had a wonderful tour given by Judith. She went to great lengths to tell us about the history of linen making in Banbridge and brought us on the tour of the factory. There's a charge of £6 for this tour which is well worth it, this is a working factory - you get to see all the processes as they happen and there is nothing Judith does not know about linen!

Starting the warp

The fine linen thread is imported

Linen tea towels being woven

Beautiful damask...

These waste trims ended up being knitted into clothing that was used for costumes in Game of Thrones.

The 'bin' full of wonderful sample lengths.....more fabric from Game of Thrones, specially woven to give an old weathered look

Sample cards ready to go to large wholesale shows such as Premiere Vision Paris

As a textile artist, what a treat to get to see these amazing working samples, some of which are used in film and theatre and many going to large international fashion houses.....serious awe!

As well as all the innovative linens being woven in Banbridge, Ferguson's also continue to produce traditional damask table cloths, napkins etc.

Samples of fabrics in the showroom

What amazing textures...

A perfect title!

These samples are inspired by vintage French fabrics

I loved this one too and the inspiration behind it.....remember when your TV lost it's signal? 'Interference'

You can not leave Ferguson's without checking out the Bargain Bins...Leanne and myself went away with quite a hoard!

Just down the road from Ferguson's is the F.E McWilliam Gallery and Studio. This is a lovely gallery space with a very welcome cafe which overlooks the sculpture garden. F.E. McWilliam was a sculptor who was born in Banbridge in 1909 but lived and worked in London. After his death in 1992 his estate gifted the contents of his studio in Holland Park to the local council. A replica studio is in the garden and a gallery containing his maquettes - well worth a visit and conveniently located just off the M1

After Banbridge we headed East towards the Mourne Mountains....

Both rhododendron and gorse in bloom...

Had to stop to take a closer look at the bog cotton on the side of the road

This was our destination.....hidden in the mountains....Silent Valley

Silent Valley is a reservoir that was built in the early 1900's and is a lovely park to visit. You can follow a variety of walking paths and discover the history behind the reservoir at the Information Centre.....a really beautiful spot.