The Foundling Museum has embraced heartache and hope in their latest exhibition, Threads of Feeling. The show displays some of the tiny tokens that mothers left with their babies when they gave them up to London’s Foundling Hospital in the 1700s.

The hospital was founded by Thomas Coram who wanted to give abandoned children a decent life. Children were accepted anonymously so women were not publicly shamed into abandoning their babies elsewhere, but mothers were encouraged to leave a small token which was then added to the admission books with the details of the child.

The tokens on display include ribbons, fabric scraps and baby clothes. The scraps range from plain rough worsted to the occasional piece of fancy silk brocade, indicating the mothers came from all levels of society. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the fashions of the period.

Although there are about 5000 textile tokens in the archives, there is only room to display a small number of them in this exhibition and it really left me wanting to see more.

One of the most touching pieces is a crudely embroidered felt heart which indicates how reluctant the mother was to give up her child. The exhibition and the museum are both incredibly moving. I felt quite emotional on the train home, and will be reflecting on my visit for a long time.

When you’ve seen Threads of Feeling, head upstairs and explore the main collection to find out what life was like in the hospital, and what happened to the children after they left. You’ll also find out about the work of the Coram charity who still support and bring hope to disadvantaged children today.

To link the theme of threads throughout the building, VV Rouleaux‘s Annabel Lewis has created a waterfall of ribbons and bows which cascades down through the stairwell of the grand staircase and looks absolutely stunning.

Threads of Feeling at the Foundling Museum 14 October – 6 March. Adults £7.50, concessions £5, under 16s free. www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk

A gorgeous new craft workshop space called Homemade London has just opened in Portman Village. Last night I popped along and learned how to make a fully lined designer tote bag, made new friends, and did a vanishing trick with a piece of gooey chocolate cake.

Everyone was having so much fun that friendly passers by kept popping in to see what we were up to, admire our bags and find out how they could sign up for the next class!

The class includes tuition, fabric (vintage and designer – my bag above is made from a Marimekko print) and, bliss, a light supper, which is very welcome when you’ve just dashed from work to a class and won’t get home till late.

Homemade London has plenty of sewing machines and space for creating. You can learn how to sew bags and lingerie, make jewellery or sniff out your perfect perfume.

As well as classes, Homemade London also offer a sewing café – you can rent a sewing machine or overlocker from £10 an hour during the day or evening and work on your own projects. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s worth a visit just to see the astonishing sewing machine wallpaper!

Even the location is perfect, if you’ve been shopping on Oxford Street all day and found nothing but inspiration, you can pop round the corner and whip up your perfect accessory!

Classes from £99, Sewing Cafe from £10.
www.homemadelondon.com

The Bank Holiday means two things for London’s clubbing community – more time to party and more time to recover!

From after-parties to burlesque speed-dating – take a look at our highlights:

Post Carnival Parties

Notting Hill Carnival is the biggest event of the Bank Holiday weekend. After the sparkly costumes and jerk chicken are packed away each evening, there are plenty of places where you can continue the party spirit.

• On Friday, Fabric brings its annual Playaz Carnival Special. The drum’n'bass night includes a two-hour set from DJ Hype.
• DJ Yoda, Kissy Sellout and The Maccabees provide entertainment conveniently close to the parade route at Paradise Carnival Party on Sunday and Monday.
• If you’ve overdone it at the carnival, head to ETA’s Carnival After Party in Shepherd’s Bush, where there’ll be yurts for tired carnival-goers to relax in, as well as live art performances. The night promises music ranging from British hip-hop to progressive electronica – all in a disused 70s cinema!

Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four

If you’re not at the carnival, chances are you’ll be spending most of your weekend on Clapham Common which is hosting the double whammy of Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four.

• The festivals wind up at 9pm but we suggest you pop over to The Coronet on Saturday for the Official South West Four After Party, hosted by Eric Prydz.
• WetYourSelf at Fabric is providing the Official Get Loaded in The Park After Party on Sunday.

The Best of The Rest

The Rakes and Does It Offend You, Yeah? will both be DJing during 12 hours non-stop at The Old Queen’s Head on Sunday. And its free if you get there before 8pm.

Or head down to Brixton on Saturday where the Hoxton Whores and Maxi Jazz (of Faithless) will keep you going until 6am at Mass!

Eastern Electrics provided a legendary Bank Holiday weekender last year, and they’re planning to do the same again. Stages will be hosted by promoters including Neon Noise, Trailer Trash and Mulletover.

Finally, if you’re hoping for a little romance this Bank Holiday, try Peacock Bar in Clapham, which is hosting a burlesque speed dating night on Monday. Happily, you won’t need any nipple tassle expertise to take part – the burlesque acts will entertain you while you speed date. And there’ll be yummy cocktails and cheesy 80s and 90s DJs too.

Do you have any Bank Holiday clubs to recommend? We’d love to hear your ideas.