Dear Friends,

I thought 2025 had been quiet, but it seems that quite a lot went on. 

There were good EXHIBITIONS, such as the 1980s review of club and street fashion at the Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey.  This was perhaps the first time I felt nostalgia for the fashion on display - I certainly wore similar things as a 19 year old. I was an early pixie-boot adopter and thought myself very much 'on the cutting edge' of fashion.   Having cleared out a lot of old photographs recently, I was relatively modish at that point. 

The Great Mughals exhibition at the V&A was marvelous.  I maxed out my membership and plus one card at least five times with unsuspecting friends and contacts.  It wasn't just the textiles that were top notch - everything seemed to be. 

Dora Carrington at the Pallant Gallery, Chichester, can't go without a mention, nor can Peter Collingwood at Margaret Howell Gallery.  I had no knowledge of this weaver but he was so interesting.    

The V&A Stores on the Olympic Site at Stratford are interesting - go along and marvel.  They are an example of design making a purse out of what might have been a sow's ear.  I will be going again in 2026.

I went on a behind-the-scenes visit with the Oxford Asian Textile Group to Witney Antiques to see their exhibition of samplers and needlework.  Nothing was Asian but the textile group was amazed at the number and quality of the exhibits.  Shockingly, over a 30 year career, I'd not made it to see the gallery so I deserve a smacked wrist at the very least.  

I worked as usual as a consultant and clocked up my Second Most Filthy Job of the Career.  Lovely things but a mountain of pigeon poop at a remote lock up. 

I continue to knit Ganseys and other things.  I completed Gansey No 3 in burgundy this year before going off-piste for a self-designed number which is still on the needles.  It is 50:50 whether it will be fabulous or fabulously bad. 

At home the garden and allotment were magnificent until the unnatural hot summer shrivelled everything including me.  It was a good year for roses and for soft fruit - bad for humans generally.  I gave up making jam as it is time to give up sugar.   I weep into my arid toast every morning.  

Thames Water made me dig up the floors in my house and replace a water main this year.  Silver lining was that we got to know our neighbours better (lovely people, it turns out) and that we had to declutter and decorate once we had moved the furniture.  The result is pleasing, but I lost two months one way and other and also fell off a ladder in slow motion whilst painting a picture rail.  I'm still not quite recovered.   One shoulder is still out-to-lunch.  

The Textile Society absorbed me again.  The two vintage and antique textile fairs in Manchester and London raised over £18000 for bursaries to further the 'art and design of textile arts'.  The student bursaries were particularly good this year.  You can read about them in the annual edition of Text out in January if you are a member, which I recommend.  Both fairs are very friendly - my jaws ache after each of them - in a good way - from catching up with old and new friends. 

The society also sent me to the National Trust conference to celebrate the completion of the 26 year restoration programme of the Gideon Tapestries at Hardwick Hall.   One day of intense lectures was followed by a visit to the house - basking in sunshine under apple blossom.  Bliss. The Society sponsored six students to attend - I met them - they were inspired and inspiring. 

I will end at the V&A at the exhibition: Marie Antoinette Style.  Again, I've been to see it multiple times in 2025 - fantastic historic objects and a frothy concluding room with 20th century couture discussing Marie-Antoinette's foibles.  Ribbons on your garden rakes, any one?  I liked the design very much as well.  Manolo Blahnik, who sponsored the exhibition should be very pleased with the result.  I went around with their archive team before christmas.  Lots of stories.  

So, I hope to bump into you in 2026 at a good exhibition or hear from you about your year when you have a moment. 

Happy New Year! 

Pat