Turkey Textile Tours

With Mrs Frances Ergen;

From an early age, I have been passionate about textiles. I was successfully accepted to studyTextiles/Fashion at Hornsey College of Art London (now University of Middlesex) graduating intially to work with a knitting company in England. A great opportunity arose to be part of a well established design consultancy in Munich Germany and there I was given responsibilty to solve numerous design & tehnical problems in the field of commercial textiles throughout Europe .

However after a few years, I wished to return to my passion for handmade textiles and succeeded in being awarded a research scholarship to study traditional dyeing, craft & costume techniques at Kanazawa University of Fine Arts Japan. This incredible experience facilitated the chance to become a visiting lecturer to various unversities on return to England .

I settled in Turkey with my husband a Professor of Oral Surgery and was involved in both commercial & handmade projects including handling  hand & machine knitwear production and kilim weaving techniques. The family moved to Sydney where I became designer for Purl One Hand Knits and part-time lecturer in Knitted Textiles at University of Technology Sydney.

At the present time I still act as a consultant for various projects in commercial textiles while actively pursuing my passion for hand made fabrics by developing , supporting and marketing the work of co-operatives & artisans in Turkey and neighbouring countries through direct contact or exhibiting at shows & events internationally.(See Uphcoming Events)

Several years ago by popular request, I was asked to organize specialized textile tours to give people the chance to share my passion for this land at the end of the silk road. Textile Tours of Turkey expanded last year in conjunction with Istanbul based Walkabout Travel and we now have 5 days, 1 or 2 week tours options with workshops, markets, museums, historical sites and places spectacular beauty.Tours can also be tailor made to your own requirements .Click to see our Turkey Textile Tours Calendar.

Townhall High St Kensington London UK
BETTER HOMES & GARDEN LIVE SHOW-Oct 15th,16th,17th 2010
Sydney Showground,Olympic Park Sydney, Australia Stand D201
LINDESAY XMAS FAIR -Nov 18th,19th,20th 2010

Carthona Ave,Darling Point NSW Australia PENDING

McIntosh Ave ,Gordon NSW Australia
KINROSS WOLLAROI SHOW- Feb 26th 2011

Kinross Wollaroi School Orange NSW Australia
TAFTA FIBRE FORUM -April 14th,15th,16th 2011

Kinross Wollaroi School Orange NSW Australia
CRAFT & QUILT SHOW-June 15th,16th,17th,18th,19th 2011

Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre Sydney NSW Australia