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Weaving a Landscape: The Textile Works of Heather Seddon

Weaving a Landscape: The Textile Works of Heather Seddon at The Old Courthouse, Shap.

Event Date

20 August 2025

This event occurs daily from
09 Aug 2025 to 07 Sept 2025

Description

‘Weaving a Landscape’ – the textile works of Heather Seddon is the title of the latest exhibition in the Exhibit ‘A’ Gallery, The Old Courthouse, Shap. Members of Eden Valley Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers have made the arrangements to showcase this posthumous display of some of Heather’s work.

Heather’s interest in textiles began when she and her husband Jeff went to work at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest. Heather often had to repair or reconstruct Elizabethan costumes, and developed an extensive knowledge of every aspect of fibre, yarn and textile crafts – spinning, weaving, tapestry weaving and braiding.

Heather moved to the Lake District in 1998 and enjoyed walking the fells. She had an encyclopaedic knowledge of natural history and geology and closely observed everything from tiny mosses to wide landscapes. In her textile art, Heather often used natural materials such as wool and dyes made from plants. Her work echoes the colours and shapes of the landscapes she loved.

Heather and Jeff were adventurous travellers, exploring Europe, Asia and the Americas, and a Silk Road trip enabled her to see a wide range of textiles. She absorbed patterns, colour combinations and craft techniques from across the globe and incorporated them into her work.

Heather was very active in the Eden Valley Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, the Online Guild and the Association of Guilds. She was always generous in sharing her skills with others. She ran workshops on topics ranging from tapestry weaving to the heritage crafts of backstrap weaving, boro/sashiko and sakiori weaving.

Her work combines the creative flair of an artist with the observational skills of a natural scientist. The pieces displayed in the gallery represent only a fraction of her prodigious output.

The exhibition continues until 7^th September. Two special events are taking place; a Weaving and Spinning Workshop on Tuesday 19^th August, a Spinning and Dyeing talk Wednesday 20^th August. Visit www.theoldcourthouse.org for exhibition opening times and for details and booking information for events.