NaviStitch and Sail Loft News

Summer in the Sail Loft

One of the lovely things about running the Sail Loft Gallery is that there's rarely a quiet week.

One exhibition comes down, another goes up. Workshops are planned, commissions are stitched, frames arrive to be filled, and somewhere in between I usually manage to fit in a little Wild Sewing too.

It's one of the reasons I enjoy what I do so much. No two weeks ever feel quite the same.

As I write this, the gallery has just changed once again. Reclaim : Reborn has come to a close after a wonderful few weeks as part of the Manningtree Earth Festival, and we're already welcoming visitors to our latest exhibition.

A new exhibition for the Manningtree Arts Trail

The Sail Loft is now home to a brand-new exhibition featuring:

Amanda Clement-Robinson

Jem Gooding

Sophie Taplin

Sam Luxford

One of the pleasures of curating exhibitions is bringing together artists whose work complements one another without ever looking the same.

Each artist approaches colour, subject and technique differently, creating a gallery that's varied, relaxed and enjoyable to explore. It's always fascinating watching visitors discover which pieces they keep coming back to.

The exhibition runs until 11th July and coincides with the Manningtree Arts Trail, taking place over the weekend of 4th and 5th July.

We'll also be open on Sunday 5th July (10am–4pm), so if you're following the Arts Trail around the town, I'd love you to pop in and say hello.

A little exclusive for newsletter readers...

Embroidered Paper Baubles

I've been delighted by the response to my brand-new Embroidered Paper Baubles Workshop.

After announcing the new workshop dates, the 30th October evening session sold out almost immediately - thank you to everyone who booked!

So, as a little thank you to my newsletter readers, I've just added an additional evening workshop:

🎄 Wednesday 28th October – 6pm

This new date hasn't been announced anywhere else yet, so you're the first to hear about it.

These festive paper embroidered decorations are designed to be relaxed, enjoyable and perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit a little earlier than usual.

We'll spend a couple of hours creating beautifully stitched decorations that can be hung on the tree, given as thoughtful handmade gifts or enjoyed year after year.

There are also still a few places available on the 30th October morning session, if daytime suits you better.

👉 Booking here

Autumn workshops are now open

One thing I've learned over the years is that workshop places disappear surprisingly quickly once autumn arrives.

So I've now opened bookings for my October programme. Alongside the remaining summer workshops:

Botanical – 8 July

On the Shoreline – 19 July

You'll now also find:

Botanical – 9 October

Flower Head Collage – 11 October

Coastal – 16 October

Coastal Collage – 18 October

Sew a Boat Taster – 23 October

On the Shoreline – 25 October

Embroidered Paper Baubles – 28 & 30 October

Christmas Card Workshop – 1 November

As always, classes are deliberately kept small, creating a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where everyone works at their own pace.

Whether you come with a friend or arrive on your own, there's always plenty of conversation around the table.

Creativity at home

Not everyone can make it to Manningtree for a workshop, so over the past few years I've gradually built a collection of kits, project books and creative resources that let you continue stitching at home.

Alongside the popular Sailing Boat Paper Embroidery Kit, you'll also find:

Botanical and Coastal Project Books

Paper Packs

Colour Packs

Tool Kits

...and extension packs for those who'd like to keep creating.

They're ideal if you've already attended a workshop, or if you'd simply like to explore paper embroidery at your own pace.

Sam Luxford Artist

Wild Sewing continues to take me to some wonderfully unexpected places.

The project started as a simple idea - proving that embroidery on paper isn't something that has to happen in a studio. Since then I've stitched in cafés, castles, museums, town squares and all sorts of unusual locations.

One of my latest adventures has taken me to Felixstowe Museum, where I've installed a selection of work in the Beehive Café.

The exhibition runs until 23rd August, and if you're heading to the coast this summer it's well worth combining with a wander around the museum itself.

I'm also continuing to add new Wild Sewing locations throughout the year, so if you'd like to follow the journey you can find regular updates on Instagram and through my website.

Looking ahead...

The Sail Loft never stands still.

Next up is:

The Abstract Hut

14–18 July

Three contemporary collections exploring colour, texture and abstraction.

Inspired by landscapes, the sea and the beauty that can be found in materials that might otherwise be overlooked, it's a very different exhibition to anything we've shown before.

Then follows:

Three Artists and a Potter

21–25 July

Featuring:

Julia Lord

Frances Vincent

Billy Hamersley

Rob Norman

Watercolour, oils and ceramics come together in an exhibition inspired by local landscapes, creativity and craftsmanship.

Every few weeks the gallery becomes something completely different.

That's exactly how I like it.

💌 Thank You

Whether you've visited an exhibition, joined a workshop, bought a card or gift, taken home a creative kit, commissioned a stitched piece, trusted me with your framing, or simply continued reading these newsletters, thank you.

Running an independent creative business is never something you do alone.

Every visit, every conversation and every word of encouragement helps keep new ideas flowing and the Sail Loft evolving.

I hope to see you in Manningtree soon.

Until next time...

Calm waters and plain sailing,

Sam