To Be Continued…  picking up the threads of local textile conversations from travel in the UK

This slightly eclectic conversation series is Sharon Kallis’ way of bringing home the stories from some of the  people met along the way  on her summer research trip.

The name of this series is inspired by how sheep farmer Susan Russell ends conversations,” to be continued”, acknowledging there is always more to say, more to do, more to share.

 As many groups and individuals work at building back local textile systems, or learning what it takes to truly clothe ourselves through respectful  relationships to place, people, plants and animals, there is always more to learn- more threads to be gathered up and woven together.

 This series hopes to amplify the voices of some of these folks doing work in the UK and inspire others for what might be possible in their own community.

Keep an eye on this post for updates as new conversations are scheduled, or watch our events page for new listings!

October 27th 10-11.30 am (PST) 5-6.30pm(GMT)

Claire O’Sullivan from the Contemporary Hempery, Wakelyns farm, England

Claire will share her research into the rich history of hemp farming in East Anglia as well as share current successes, challenges and the next steps for invigorating the hemp industry. Learn how Claire and her partner Kitty Wilson Brown are honouring agricultural and textile traditions while looking ahead towards contemporary, small-scale, artisanal projects.

Part presentation, part conversation, those interested are encouraged to join for the zoom talk. A recording will be made available of the presentation, the conversation will not be recorded.

Get your free ticket to the event online here- tickets close the 25th, link will be emailed the 26th

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November 10th 10-11.30 (PST) – 6-7.30(GMT)

with Allan Brown- unpicking  the  labour of growing a garment from soil to closet

Over the studio days spent together,  Allan and Sharon had several conversations that touched on notions of speculative future textile economies. 

This conversation aims to pick up those threads:

Where do they each see moments for ‘curated inefficiencies’ vs efficiency through mechanization, in the many steps to growing a garment? 

With these ideas in mind, what kinds of local grow-to-wear community ecosystems can we collectively dream up? 

With luck, this conversation leads to some questions being generated that EartHand can  return to as this series continues. The presentation will be recorded and shared at a later time on EartHand’s YouTube channel, but join us and be a part of the conversation!

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December 1st 10-11.30AM (PST) 6-7.30PM (GMT)

Zoe Gilbertson, CEO and co-founder of Liflad

Zoe was recently awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore building resilience through bioregional material production centred on nature and community. Exploring Europe by train and North America online to look for knowledge, small scale machinery and cooperative models to support the growing, processing and production of bast fibres such as flax and hemp. Zoe has also founded the UK Bast Fibre Network and the Bast Fibre Commons to aid in collective learning; connecting groups and individuals pursuing localized small scale bast fibre production.

Join us for this presentation and conversation where Zoe will share highlights and reflections from her research and we consider what feels transferable to a Canadian scale of geography from some of the European models studied.  The presentation will be recorded and shared at a later time on EartHand’s YouTube channel, but join us and be a part of the conversation! Read Zoe’s Bioregional Resillience through Bast Fibres Report here.

Keep an eye on this post for updates as this series continues to unfold…To Be Continued!