by Mary McIntosh and Frances Overy
Mary from Suffolk and Frances from Norfolk are geographically placed quite a distance apart, by road about 50miles, but both counties share a rich textile history. By embracing this heritage they have created a two-way dialogue between the tradition of silk weaving in Sudbury and the woollen trade of Norwich. Plus, a three- way dialogue between the traditional dyestuffs of those counties using the colours of Madder, Mustard and Woad. Also incorporated into their display is a play between wood, plaster, metal and paper, a four-way conversation
Frances and Mary shared wool and silk fabrics, collected over several years, and each dyed these using three natural dye baths – Madder using madder root and powder – Mustard using good old Colemans mustard powder – and Indigo to represent blue woad. These dyed fabrics were then reshared, and each made a series of long stitched pieces to be displayed on bobbins.
The bobbins also form part of the dialogue. Frances used her wood turning skills to make some ‘wonky bobbins’ from chestnut. Mary used paper, plaster and copper to create more bobbins for the display, along with some traditional wooden spools previously used in weaving mills.
You can see the Material Dialogues collaborations at the Creative Stitch Graduate Show on 18th and 19th July 2026 at Needham Market Community Centre and as part of the much larger ‘Materials Dialogues’ exhibition at St Margaret’s Gallery in Norwich from 23rd Sept until 4th October 2026
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