Arrivals.

We will collect you anytime day or night from Istanbul International Airport.

We will start our morning with Gillian and an introductory session. Getting the best out of your photographs and what to look for to use in her Interchange Appliqué Technique. 

Then we will head out to a fabulous Flea Market full of antique textiles, old records coins and treasures. 

Part of the day’s agenda is to introduce you to Istanbul’s fabulous public transport system. Istanbul, an ancient city spread over hills, offers a diverse and efficient array of transportation options. Once you get the hang of it, navigating the city becomes easy with its ferries, trams, buses, funicular rail, and metro. 

In the afternoon a guide will introduce us to the heart of Istanbul and a little of its history. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are heart-warming experiences 

The Bosporus and water are the pulse of Istanbul, later in the day we will take a ferry cruise along the Bosporus, watch the sun sparkle on the waves and then sit by the waterside for dinner. 

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The Topkapi Palace Museum is extraordinary, featuring stunning architecture and breathtaking collections. Marvel at the diamond-studded armoury, intricate clocks, and numerous diamond-encrusted objects that will leave you seeing stars for days. The museum also boasts an exceptional textile collection, showcasing rare ancient garments spanning generations of Sultans.   We will take it slow; you need time to fan yourself and say “be calm my beating heart.” Let’s look for inspiration in the collection of Talismanic Shirts and other objects for our art projects. There is a wonderful collection of jugs in the Kitchens that would suit Gillian’s interchange techniques too. 

In the afternoon we will head to the Rustin Mosque and exciting Egyptian Market and dive deep into the threads, haberdashery and fabric areas. Gather some beads and objects for the talisman’s we will stitch. 

Breakfast included.

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Turkic and Islamic Museum- so much to see and enjoy. 

We will visit a local workshop to do an Ebru Workshop. Bookmaking, miniature paintings and ebru were highly regarded crafts during the Ottoman Empire. Ebru is the ancient Turkish art of marbling – creating colourful patterns by sprinkling & brushing pigments on water, which are transferred to paper. Highly regarded, it is on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. We will make beautiful papers and can transform them into little book ends. These beautiful papers can be folded into zines or small books with Gillian’s help, and some used in our design planning 

Let’s work on our design ideas with Gillian this afternoon. 

Evening will be free to explore our vibrant area.

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Early start to fly to Cappadocia. 

When we land, we will be dropped to our hotel 

You have time to explore Gὒrὒp, if you would like to visit Mazi Underground City we will head off after lunch- it is quite amazing. 

Then in the afternoon Gillian will lead a workshop putting the Interchange Appliqué pieces together, 

There is a lovely restaurant just down the road to visit for dinner together.

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We rise early to watch the balloons take off with the sunrise – an extraordinary and beautiful sight that makes the early start well worth it. 

If you would like to fly in a balloon, there is an extra fee. Note your intention on the booking form. 

Back to the hotel for breakfast and then we will explore the area. 

Houses carved into the rocks, Uchisar Castle a Byzantine Monastery and Fairy Chimneys – a magic place. 

Lunch in Nevşehir with a little time to wander the town and check out some of the shops. 

In the late afternoon we return to Istanbul.

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We will make a slow start this morning and head across to the Roman Aqueduct, it is set in a lovely park with the beautiful Shahzade Mosque behind, plenty on peaceful places to sit and work on our amulets for a while. 

Then we can walk down to the Grand Bazaar to explore. It is easy to get back to our hotel via tram from here. 

Let’s meet up again for dinner to share our experiences.

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The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus is the oldest palace still standing in the city, nestled against the ancient walls of Constantinople. Standing here, we are surrounded by history. The palace offers a magnificent view across the city from its roof. 

It is only a short walk down hill to Balat. This area of brightly painted houses, antique shops and cafes is a must visit in Istanbul. Let’s explore then find a nice spot in a café to work on our amulets. Take time to enjoy the atmosphere. 

Breakfast and lunch included.

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Early departure this morning- we want to be first in line for the Basilica Cistern- it will feel like is only Medusa and us there- magic. 

The afternoon is free to explore, revisit your favourite spots or work on your projects. 

We’ll meet again for our Farewell Dinner and show and tell.

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We will arrange individual drop to the airport for departures.

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Interchange Appliqué 

Turkey

A new way of making bonded appliqué quilted items eg table mats, cushion cover or wall hanging based on a taking a basic shape eg a Turkish coffee pot, or a motif from a Turkish carpet.

The design work is simple, good choices of colours and patterns can be the key to making a successful piece of textile art.

We will probably make enough blocks to make a table mat, however more blocks can be made at home.

A small pair of sharp scissors is required.

It works best using Batik fabrics as they are closely woven and available in such fabulous colours and patterns.

We will supply a kit of fabrics to use.

Design Work / Requirements 

We will start by doing some drawings / design work. We will use take photos of something that has a simple shape eg coffee pots, carpet motifs etc and make patterns using an ipad or tablet

(so remember your ipad etc if you have one)

We will use our papers we have marbled to cut up and make designs for our textiles.

This design work will make excellent greetings cards. 

A Glue stick e.g. Pritt stick would be useful

Paper Scissors 

Pencil

Fabric scissors (approx 4” is good)

Batik fabric will be provided

Bondaweb or Transfer Adhesive will be provided

Gridded Vilene will be provided

A small travel Iron, ironing mat (maybe there is an iron in the hotel) 

Rotary Cutter, Board, Ruler If you have a small very portable set it would be useful