The Made in the Middle Action Research Group met for the first time today and a very creative and enthusiastic bunch they are! The first session was all about introductions: introductions to each other, to the artist Hayley Beckley and to the activities that we are all going to be involved in.

We kicked off with a quiz that challenged the group to think about types of craft based jobs, famous names in craft, craft and the UK economy and finally a question about pickling (!). A presentation to the group gave them an insight into why we were all there and what Arts Awards is all about and they got their first glimpse of the work of the Made in the Middle selected makers.

Once Hayley had given the group an overview of her career they got an opportunity to have a look at and handle the beautiful pleated accessories she produces. There was no shortage of questions as the group quizzed Hayley on how the cuffs and collars were made, trying them on and examining her work at the many different stages of production, from photographs to printed silk and finally to the immaculate finished article.

After a short break and a breath of fresh air the group were given the chance to have a go at pleating for themselves…and it wasn’t as easy as it looked! Using tracing paper and a great deal of concentration the students got to grips with knife pleats and box pleats. Many found the task very challenging at first and learned a valuable lesson in the need for perseverance and precision! Happily, with support from Hayley, everybody mastered the techniques and had a real sense of achievement at the end of the session.

The skills everyone learned in the first session will be reinforced over the coming weeks and will stand the students in good stead as they start work on their own collection. But before the practical work re-commences it is off to Cash’s and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum on Friday for some further inspiration and to find out more about the link with manufacturing and the history of the textile industry in Coventry.