Compact companions – plushie making workshop

Create your own plushie, patching together old scraps of fabric and sentiments close to home that reflect who you are.

Join artist Katie Schreiber for this guided workshop and create your own plushie using simple sewing and iron-on fabric techniques. You will be encouraged to identify aspects of your identity and sense of home which you can then recreate in fabric using a variety of shapes.

You are welcome to bring with you a sentimental item to stitch into your plushie – this could be an old item of clothing, a family heirloom, a colour that represents your identity or even a favourite scent. Or take inspiration from the materials that will be provided on the day. No previous experience necessary – just come and experiment!

Amidst the ever-shifting landscape of London renting, our belongings often become compact companions on our journey. Think textiles and flat-pack treasures – symbols of a nomadic existence. By making your own plushie you will create a physical representation of memories that you can transport with you, whether you are moving house, country or away from loved ones.

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A designer by training, Katie Schreiber’s practice spans both design and the visual arts, with a primary focus on the notions of innate and projected identity.

Growing up as Queer in a Jewish household prompted her exploration into experiences of autonomy in relation to cultural and sexual identity. The confines of her body form a central part of her practice, a vessel in which to extract visceral responses connected to these experiences, which manifest in the form of body adornment, sculpture and spatial installation. Combining rigid materials through 3D printed and silicone molded forms with softer more malleable fabrics, she examines the interplay between projected expectation and innate desire, asking questions as to how we navigate the journey into being our true selves.