Selvedge Magazine Textile Month – Historical Pockets Masterclass

Illuminated Arts is delighted to have participated in the Selvedge Magazine inaugural Textile Month in September 2025 – a celebration of cloth, craft, and culture across London. 

Making a Historically Inspired Pocket with Illuminated Arts.

We ran two Pocket-making masterclasses, one at The Museum Of The Home and the second from our base in Bermondsey.

Our workshop participants discovered the art of creating a timeless tie-on pocket in our inspiring all-day workshop exploring the fascinating history of women’s pockets – symbolic of autonomy and empowerment throughout English history. They were encouraged to stitch and share creative ideas, hearing the fascinating stories of how these practical garments echo powerful themes of women’s independence.

Led by Illuminated Arts hosts; textile-artist-historian Melissa Jo Smith and internationally recognised textile designer Rebecca Cole, participants were guided through each making stage—ending with a personalised pocket to cherish.

A portion of every ticket sold directly supports Illuminated Arts current project to provide workshops for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, culminating in a community catwalk show at The Queen’s House in Greenwich and an exhibition of pockets.

These workshops were a resounding success and we will be scheduling further sessions in the coming months with various themes, exploring textiles in social history.

To find out more visit our Workshops and Events page.