






Me, My Life & Knitting
Nov 24 2010 by Euan McLelland, Wishaw Press
A SHOTTS textiles student hoping to make a name for herself in the fashion industry was dealt a massive blow when one of her prized designs was stolen while on display in southern Scotland.
Twenty-four-year-old Roisin McAtamney was left speechless when a curator at the Borders Textiles Towerhouse contacted her to tell her that one of her most expensive items – a knitted top – had been nicked from her final degree collection display.
The theft of the top, said to be worth about £500, has now sparked a police investigation into how it went missing.
Roisin, who recently graduated from Herriot-Watt University and is now studying for her master’s degree at the London College of Fashion, said: “Me and a select few of my classmates were asked by the curator at Borders Textiles Towerhouse if we would like to display a few of our garments from our final degree collection.
“I happily agreed and the garment exhibition opened at the beginning of October.
“I then received a distressing e-mail explaining how the hand-knitted top had been stolen. I used expensive yarn, put endless hours of work into it and it was one of the best-received pieces in my collection.
“I am devastated as I was planning on selling the design once the exhibition had finished and I could have started to make a name for myself in the fashion world as well as money.”
The curator told Roisin that this was the first-ever theft from a live exhibition at the museum.
Police are now looking into the theft and Roisin has offered a reward for the return of the cardigan.
Roisin added: “I am slightly flattered... but how could some one stoop so low?”
Border Telegraph
Published: Tuesday, 2nd November, 2010 9:30am
A FORMER fashion student from the Borders has revealed she has been left devastated after a handmade top she designed was stolen from an exhibition in Hawick.
Roisin McAtamney, who has just recently graduated from Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels with a BA Hons in Design for Textiles, had loaned the garment, which is valued at £500, to the Borders Textiles Towerhouse to display.
She explained she spent hours designing the top which was knitted using expensive yarn and had hoped to sell it to a company for reproduction to help launch a career in the fashion industry.
However, last week, she received a distressing email from the museum which revealed the hand knitted top had been stolen.
This week Roisin appealed to the public for help in locating her top and offered a reward for its safe return.
Anyone with information should contact their local police station - Galashiels: 01896 752222.