SUE BRADLEY

		Workshop  CUSTOM KNITS: exciting accessories from existing fabric Using an existing fabric or garment as your starting point you will be shown how to design and hand knit a co-ordinating fabric that can then be used in combination with your contrast fabric to create a hat or bag. The hand knit fabric that you create could also be used as a sleeve or collar for an existing jacket, or you could knit a bag, which is lined and has handles made from the co-ordinating fabric. You will be shown a variety of hand knit samples, fabrics, garments and accessories that will illustrate the technique. Patterns, fabric and yarns will be provided for you to work with.
		Illustrated lecture  INSPIRED BY COSTUME - knitted textile designs which engage with the past

Biography
My work has always been very decorative and I love exploring and experimenting with new materials and techniques. Although I am known as a ‘Knitwear Designer’ I am really more concerned with developing an idea, and will therefore use whatever medium I need to achieve my outcome. Over the years I have spent a lot of my time researching into historical costume detail, and I have a collection of sketchbooks from my studies at The Fashion Museum in Bath.

I love to embellish and layer knitted fabrics by stitching, cutting, printing and felting, and most of my textile pieces are work in progress and are never really finished. I use a wide variety of materials to knit with, these include wool, silk, cotton, elastic, metallic yarns and wire, plastics, vintage fabrics, beading, lace, and a lot of re-cycled materials.

As well as my more ‘wearable art’ pieces I have also recently launched a new fashion label called ‘Bradley &Ralph' www.bradleyandralph.com.The new collection was showcased at the London Craft Fair ‘Origin’ in 2006 and 2007 Since 2002 I have been a part-time Senior Lecturer in the Fashion & Textile Department at Bath Spa University, specialising in knitted textiles.

Career Details
In 1982 I graduated from the RCA and set up my own knitwear design business producing twice yearly collections of hand-knitted garments and employing over 150 knitters. Collections sold to some of the worlds most exclusive stores—Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Browns, Liberty, Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdales, Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya and many more.

I have had several books of my own knitwear designs published, Stitches in Time, Travellers Yarns, and Sue Bradley's Cotton Collection, and I have worked as a freelance designer for Mulberry Company, Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, The Limited, Ralph Lauren and DKNY. I have produced hand knit patterns and garments for Rowan yarns and other leading yarn manufacturers both in the UK and Europe, which have featured in magazines such as Vogue, Good Housekeeping and Country Living. My work has been exhibited in major trade shows and galleries in the UK and abroad and I have been involved in running various ‘Designer Maker’ retail outlets in London, Cirencester and Bath. I have also run a variety of decorative textile workshops for the University of Bath and the Embroiderers Guild.