Preston Embroiderers' Guild Blog

November 2021- Workshop - Tyvek Flowers with Kath Roberts

7/11/2021

Stephanie, our new chair, opened the meeting with the notices.
The November workshop ‘Tyvek Flowers ‘was the first live workshop of our newly formed independent group led appropriately by one of our own talented members Kath Roberts.

Kath explained that Tyvek was a strong paper like material used in the building trade as a wraparound cover for houses under construction. It is also used to make protective clothing for paramedics and other services. Despite its hardwearing qualities it is lightweight and suitable for crafting.
Kath had painted sheets of Tyvek for us to choose from in a variety of lovely colours and patterns. She advised that acrylic paints are the best to use for this as the Tyvek takes these better. She also supplied petal shaped templates to draw round, wires and an assortment of beads.
Everyone chose their colours and templates. We used the template to draw 5 petals on the Tyvek and on Kath’s advice did not cut them out before stitching.

Each petal was then covered with vermicelli stitch free motion embroidery or a standard decorative machine embroidery stitch in polyester thread. A cotton thread will burn when heated.
The stems for the petals are sugar craft stems or florist wire. Sugar craft are preferable as they are less likely to break your needle when applying it to the petal.
The stem is placed vertically down the petal and machined on leaving a length at the top to thread beads on or decorate in some other way. The petals were then cut out.
Kath offered us advice at each stage if required.
Using a heat gun, the petals can be made to curl or burn away making an attractive lacy pattern.

The petals are then placed together, and the stems twisted around each other. Once the petals are arranged in a flower shape, stamens with beads can be placed in the centre. Kath suggested making Tyvek beads.
The main stem can be wrapped with florist tape.

Everyone who took part enjoyed the workshop and thanked Kath. It was a very enjoyable and relaxed day. The future of our group is looking good.
Meanwhile, several ladies were busy on their own projects and Sylvia manned the shop as usual. Some real bargains were to be had.

Due to several unforeseen circumstances, there were only a couple of the Monthly Challenge pieces on display. This month, October, we asked members to use some Crewel work in their design.
“I have used Crewel work to create an Acer leaf. The acer was a beautiful deep red Autumnal colour, and this really inspired me along with an idea in Jacqui McDonald’s book RSN essential stitch guides- Crewel Work”. Ann R.
“I have used Crewel wool to stitch an apple in my piece”. Irene.
“This month I have stitched a pomegranate, a design from a crewel work stitch book. I have used a variety of colours and stitches including running stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch, satin stitch, whipped running stitch, French knots and Jacobean couching”. Mel.C

This month the November Challenge is to recycle some items as part of the design. This sounds interesting and we can’t wait to see the results.
The December meeting includes a Christmas Make so please bring sewing materials, beads, anything sparkly ready for the morning session. In the afternoon we are looking forward to a talk by Marie Livesey – ‘In Pursuit of the WOW factor’. After the talk there will be a chance to try out the technique.
On a final note it is very pleasing to know that ' The Grapevine' embroidery is still being admired and appreciated by staff and visitors at Vine House. The embroidery is now on display in the recently decorated entrance hall.
Thanks to Kath Howarth who wrote the blog.
K.H. & A.R.

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October 2021- A.M. Our First General Meeting as an Independent Group. P.M. Talk - Alice Moore a Detective Story with Monica Selway

3/10/2021

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The first general Meeting as an Independent Group took place at 10:30 a.m. After apologies were noted and reports from the Vice Chair, Treasurer and the Programme secretaries’ Stephanie Spencer was voted on as Chair and the remaining committee were voted on for another year.
It is a new beginning for the group and everyone was invited to offer ideas and suggestions to the committee. We all look forward to an exciting future.
Sylvia and Barbara opened the shop and once again trade was swift. The library with its well-stocked DVDs was also open. The cube project was on display alongside our restyled bunting and everyone was given the opportunity to look at the Savick Library bunting.

There were eight entries for the Trudy Goodenough competition and members voted for their favourite. Once counted the overall winner was Rosie Kirkham for her beautifully decorated box. Second place went to Carole Hind for her stitched bobbin piece. Both were presented with a monetary prize and a certificate by our new chair Steph.

We then had time to catch up with each other and a time to look at other pieces of work. Christine had brought in a beautifully crafted book and a decorated flower roll. “This is what has kept me going during lockdown,” she explained.
Look at the slide show below to see her exquisite work.

In the afternoon Monica Selway was introduced to the group and she began her talk; Alice Moore - a detective story. Not only was she to tell us about Alice Moore but show us embroideries from four other people including some of her own work.
First Monica set the scene by showing us some lovely slides of St. Ives explaining it was the light that inspired artists and crafts people. Monica and her mother became detectives in finding out about Alice Moore having seen a contemporary stylised embroidery of a saint in a local church. It showed the use of couching, gold work and Maltese cross.
As they progressed with their mission, they came across a piece entitled “A Winter Morning- Activity St Ives Harbour.” This piece was stitched on a linen background with silk appliqué and cording. Finding out about Alice was proving to be quite difficult. One piece of evidence was an obituary which said she had been born in Honolulu. Her father was from Liverpool and her mother was from Massachusetts. She had studied industrial design at the Penzance School of Art and had taken a teaching course at Brighton College of Art. From there she taught in Devises.
Monica also found out Alice had studied at the Royal School of Needlework before the war but unfortunately all records had been destroyed during the bombing. After the war she moved to St. Ives. It was here that she was known to have been in the company of many famous artists including Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Bernard Leach to name just a few.

A lady known as Miss Owen met with Monica and her mother on several occasions and they were delighted to know that she had actually known Alice Moore.
Monica went on to tell us about Miss Owen’s work and showed us some stunning examples, including a box made from an ice-cream tub, a kimono, a beautiful blouse and exquisite examples of whitework.

She also talked about Lucy Unwin who, despite suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, produced patchwork quilts which were 3 feet by 7 feet. Some of the rectangular patches were made from Cryséde silk; these designs showed off the Cornish Countryside.

In her investigations Monica had found a 2 x 1 inch black and white photograph of Alice Moore’s Water Gardens. She then used this to stitch her own piece inspired by the photo. She also used similar techniques to stitch contemporary pieces, in the same style, of the Tate St Ives.

Monica had spent many hours and holidays following the detective trail and had used bookshops, galleries, auctioneers’ catalogues and the internet to find out about Alice. She finished off by saying that Alice’s work shouldn’t be left unrecognised and that is why she continued to investigate her life and work.
Finally, we spent time looking at the fabulous examples of embroideries Monica had brought along to show us.
Kath R. thanked Monica for her inspiring detective story.
Thanks also to Gill who helped us out with a slide projector, screen and projector stand all of which she has now donated to our group.

The Monthly Challenge:
This month the challenge was to use a new stitch in most of the embroidery. Here are the pieces and comments from members.
I have called this ‘Harvest Time’. I have used rope stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch - and the little red and green beads came in handy as apples. Margaret G.

For the September page my new stitch is raised cane band. For the opposite page I used acrylic paint for the background and crewel wool for the trees and leaves. Irene.

I was inspired by the wildflower meadow at Netherby Hall in Cumbria where we stayed on a recent holiday. I used Cretan stitch (loosely rather than a close stitch) in a variety of thread for the green vegetation and then star stitch in bright colours for the flowers. Ann R.

For my September piece I used Ink pens and Kantha work stitched using variegated threads to create an effect. Mel. C.

Kath R’s August piece used dyes as part of the challenge.
I have used an echo dyed piece of water colour paper and applied hand stitching. Kath R.

Next month’s challenge is to use crewel wool in your design.

November will be our first workshop led by Kath Roberts- Tyvek Flowers. The requirements list can be found on the ‘Notices’ tab.
Keep safe and keep stitching.
Ann R

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September 2021- Stitch and Chat

12/9/2021

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Tables were wiped over, social distancing considered, gel at strategic places and windows open ready for our first meeting since March 2019. Everyone seemed quite excited. The adapted bunting of our new group name was up on display. By 10:00am the room was ready to greet previous members and visitors alike.

It was good to see many familiar faces and to meet up with people who have communicated by email over the last eighteen months, and now able to put a name to a face.
There was a lot of chat and perhaps some stitching, but it didn’t matter, it was so good to be together again.
Sylvia opened the shop and items on sale were from our late colleague, member and friend Mary Holden’s stash. Some even went away with a bargain piece of Mary’s beautiful embroidery.

It was interesting to catch up on what everyone had been stitching over the past months. Several had taken up the Anne Brooke challenge of a ‘Tag a Week ‘using a different technique or theme and some also had been challenged by an idea called ‘Inches’.
There were also pieces showing painted backgrounds which were now being stitched over, cross stitch kits, gold work, Sashiko, appliqué, crochet and many more. It was exciting to see the work people had completed or were working on.

The Monthly Challenge:
This month we were asked to include some dyeing or printing in our piece and, as usual, there was such an array of techniques and designs.
I got rather carried away once I had decided on my idea. Walking along the canal near to my home I couldn’t help but notice how tall the grasses had grown, so I decided to collect some to use in my design ‘Tall Grasses’. Within a few metres I had collected at least 10 different types, I was quite amazed. I took them home and pressed them between kitchen paper and under heavy boxes and books. A week later (because I couldn’t wait any longer to get started) I began my piece.

First, I sponged a piece of calico with green acrylic paint and then used acrylic paint to print several of the grasses. Some turned out rather ‘blobby’, but I felt if I used free machine embroidery over them, I could develop some of the textures of the grasses.
I then thought I could arrange the grasses on the calico and spray over them with ‘Brusho’ acrylic paint. I liked this result and decided to use metallic thread and free machine embroidery. So, I produced two pieces - ‘Tall Grasses 1’ and ‘Tall Grasses 2’. Ann R
For my August project I thought that this is a month for a visit to the seaside. So, on this theme, I have called it ‘Seaside’. Margaret G.

For my August piece I have used Tie and Dye and I then stitched washers in matching colours onto it. Mel.
My August piece is work in back stitch, on a tea dyed background. Opposite is a scene worked in machine embroidery on a watercolour background. Irene
I created my pieces using Cyanotype. This is a process that produces a cyan-blue print. Two chemicals are mixed, the fabric is then screwed up and left to develop or placed over designs to develop an imprint. Sandie.
I have been inspired by amazing sunsets over the marshes. The sky turns blue and pink as the sunsets towards Blackpool. The fabric was dyed and then I used bleach to remove the dye to make the sun. Birds fly towards the mudflats next to Longton and Hutton marshes. Edwina
I have painted the background for my other grand daughters hand. I am hoping the girls will write something about their hand to go in to my book eventually. Barbara.

Perhaps some are falling behind with the challenge but hopefully will be inspired by the fact we are meeting once again. The September challenge is to use a new stitch on most of your design.

Irene has also been busy finishing a crewel work panel, started by the late Mildred Rigby.

Next month it is our general meeting, and we have a talk in the afternoon by Monica Selway-entitled Alice Moore -A Detective Story. Sounds quite intriguing. There is also the Gertrude Goodenough competition when any piece of work that has been created can be entered.
The Christmas competition is a Christmas gift tag, so come on ladies get stitching.
Keep safe
A.R.

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November 2021- Workshop - Tyvek Flowers with Kath Roberts

October 2021- A.M. Our First General Meeting as an Independent Group. P.M. Talk - Alice Moore a Detective Story with Monica Selway

September 2021- Stitch and Chat

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