Jessica Light

I love Jessica Light's textiles.  I first stumbled across her work at Tent London in 2009, and was thrilled to find that she has a thriving ultra-niche business producing hand made trimmings.  She makes use of surprising yarns such as horsehair and light reflective thread alongside the more expected silks,linens and cottons etc.  Her website is a treat to browse through, full of lovely images.

Below are a couple of pictures of her stand at this years' Tent London:

Hand woven trimming containing light reflective yarn

Dip dyed edges, woven netting, light reflective yarns

A massive tassel made with light reflective yarn

In her own words:

One of the last working trimming weavers left in England, Jessica Light produces exquisite, innovative and contemporary passementerie of exceptional quality. Everything is handmade to order in her East London workshop using methods dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Jessica also incorporates beading and traditional crafts such as macrame, braiding and knot-work into her work and hand spins her own cord.

Apart from using traditional yarns such as silk, linen, wool, and cotton, Jessica is always experimenting and sourcing new and unusual materials. Horsehair, straw, hemp, leather, hand pleated ribbon, semi-precious stones, and springs are just some of the wide range range of materials she uses.

Her inspiration and ideas are drawn from many references. The Baroque, Modernism, Samurai and zulu warriors, origami, and military and ceremonial braiding are all themes that run though Jessica's collections.

Jessica Light offers a bespoke design and colour matching service for both interiors and fashion and her client list includes Vivienne Westwood, Marks and Spencer, MedhamKirchhof, Giles Deacon, Richard Sorger, Johanne Mills, Lesley Vik Waddell.

(Source: http://www.jessicalight.co.uk/home.html)

Insider news!

Am very excited to tell you that Jessica has been booked to run a two day workshop at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff Bay next year.

The information hasn't yet gone on the Craft in the Bay website, but they can take telephone bookings.  I've already booked myself a place!

Details as follows:

An introduction to the art of creating passementerie.
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th February 2011 at Craft in the Bay
£100

Jessica will teach students how to weave beautiful trims including fringes, fan edges, and gimp braids using techniques that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. 

Suitable for intermediate.

Places limited to six so early booking is advisable. T: 029 20484611