Work made during the Textiles workshop
on Saturday 18th October 2025
Nineteen people aged from 11 to in their 60s gathered at Eagle Lab in Southampton for a textile workshop inspired by Jane Austen. The women in Jane’s novels are frequently involved in needlework, both functional and as a pastime or ‘cover’ activity when they are talking or thinking about something else.
This workshop gave participants different squares of recycled fabric that had been in the young workshop lead’s family for generations. Some were plain, and others marked up with lines that together form the outline of Southampton. Participants were encouraged to choose whichever fabric ‘tile’ and pattern spoke to them most, and to decorate their squares in whatever way they liked using textile pens, fabric paints, printing with objects, lace, natural materials and embroidery. The squares will be stitched together to form a ‘map quilt’ of Southampton for the final exhibition.
‘My quilt pieces were about inclusivity and love, and some of the wonderful people and things in Southampton.’
‘I chose to draw God’s House Tower as it was one of the first places in the city I found such a warm welcome outside of campus. It is often alive with music and art and community, which lights such a beautiful heritage building up from within. It is at God’s House Tower workshops that I found so many vibrant people outside of my university circles, all so full of joy and creativity, and through them that I discovered more events in the city.
Whenever I visit God’s House Tower, I leave feeling a powerful sense of belonging to Southampton and its brilliant, bold, welcoming people.’
‘This tile was inspired by tales of the sea and Southampton’s nautical history. The quote is Mrs Bennet’s line in Pride and Prejudice: ‘A little sea-bathing would set me up forever’, and having just got back from swimming in the sea on my holiday it seemed like the perfect sentiment!’
‘I stuck with the seaside theme and created an octopus / jellyfish-inspired patterned tile using fabric paint and the bottom and top of a thimble. I like the organic yet repetitive nature of my finished piece.’
‘A Southampton Seagull with 6(?) legs, representing the effects of industrialisation on sea-life in the south of the UK.’
‘Autumn leaf falling – Autumn is my favourite season, it signifies endings and beginnings. Leaves fall to the ground and as they die they nourish new life waiting for its turn. I feel like Jane would get this.’
‘Everyone welcome Southampton – Southampton is a place for everyone. We need to be allies and speak up for minorities who are constantly needing to fight for their rights and respect. Just like Jane did as a true feminist.’
‘Mine is based on the sun as when I moved here in 2010 everyone referred to it as ‘Sunny Southampton’!’
‘I wanted to capture something of all the buildings in Southampton.’
‘I chose a tile that has the sea on it because it is one of the most important aspects in my life. I’ve always lived by the Solent and seeing the tides come in and out, the different bird and marine life present always fills me with calm. The little red dingy is my parents’ mirror dingy we sailed for 30 years off Hill Head. I can’t imagine not living by the Solent.’
‘I did the river with the beach next to it and I love flowers and shapes so I added some. Then I added some dots to be creative.’
‘I loved today’s workshop! Great atmosphere! I was thinking of the magical world of books.’
Trains in Southampton with different styles of locomotive.’
(mum added that this young person who has additional needs was very happy during and after the workshop!)
Your Stories is supported by Southampton Forward, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Foyle Foundation as part of Jane Austen 250.
Supported by:
