Over the past five weeks, Libby Esler has been running The Broadweavers Trailblazer Programme — an intensive, hands-on creative initiative designed to inspire 9 Year 12 A-Level Textile students from 2 Coventry Secondary schools – Blue Coat and Bishop Ullathorne, to enrich their portfolios and encourage them to think about their future studies.
This programme has been funded by the Broadweavers and Clothiers Guild of Coventry, who also offer bursaries to support further education for the most talented and dedicated students who have shone throughout the Trailblazer sessions.
On Saturday 7th March Mark Francis from ‘Sew Mark Francis’ and participant in BBC’s The Sewing Bee, joined the group to set a Sewing Bee Challenge and Dawn from TSC joined them for the final day of the programme and help critique and judge the entries.
The programme has been truly special, covering:
✨ Week 1: Introduction to fashion drawing
✨ Week 2: Introduction to weaving and textiles
✨ Week 3: The importance of AI in the world of fashion
✨ Week 4: A guest speaker from Loughborough University discussing careers and creative pathways
✨ Week 5: A sewing challenge set by Mark Francis from The Great British Sewing Bee, where students upcycled Olympic tracksuits into fabulous bucket hats!
It has been an incredible journey, and to wrap things up, we will be hosting a presentation and appreciation event for the students who have participated, where we can announce the bursary winners and celebrate their achievements with tea and cake !!
Quote from Mrs Clare Webster, textile teacher at Blue Coat school:
The Broadweavers Trailblazer Programme has been highly beneficial in deepening students’ understanding of the textile and fashion industry. Through exploring fashion illustration, AI applications, and engaging with industry professionals, students have gained valuable insights that have broadened their perspectives. This experience has not only influenced their sketchbooks and creative development but has also encouraged them to consider end uses and sustainability in their designs. The programme has truly opened their eyes to the vast possibilities within the industry, inspiring them to think more critically and innovatively about their future in fashion and textile industry.
