April 2022- Workshop- Experimental Drawn Thread Work with Ann Reading.

Stephanie opened the meeting and welcomed the group members and our visitors. It was lovely to see so many people at the meeting this month.
The notices were read out before the workshop commenced.
There was a questionnaire prepared by Ann to complete. This requested everyone's views on the costs of the meetings, subjects for workshops and day schools, plus the direction people thought the group should take now that we are independent of the national organisation. Hopefully there was plenty of participation, so the committee can understand the members ideas and hopes for the future.
The NWR travelling book was on display, which was filled with some fantastic work and ideas.
Those attending the Nicola Jarvis workshop in May were asked to inform Ann of which technique they wished to use on the day.

 The workshop was led by Ann Reading on Experimental Drawn Thread Work. There were over 20 participants who all settled down to a very enjoyable day.
 Ann had a display of finished pieces, including wall art in frames, cards and book covers.

Ann explained that her interest in this technique started while she was studying for her A levels
 (that will take us all back in time).
 For the morning session we were aiming to finish a bookmark displaying the various techniques as shown on the handout.
To start the finished piece, we used hessian type fabric in an eight-inch frame.
The first task was to sew 2 rows of satin stitch 5 cm apart, this would act as the frame for the cut threads.

We then removed 8 to 10 horizontal threads (you had to be brave when cutting the threads!), which gave the base for the stitching that would produce the finished pattern.
Then we learnt the various techniques used to produce the final patterns including hem stitch, ladder hem stitch, zig-zag hem stitch and double hemstitch.

In the afternoon Ann continued to show us other techniques which could be incorporated into more experimental pieces, including interlaced hem stitch, knotted bar stitch, overcast and zigzag overcast bars, needle weaving and wheel and woven squares.

​Some lovely work was produced throughout the day with many ideas shown on how to use this interesting technique.

Members have been busy completing other projects too. Tracey and Pat have finished pieces which will be shown in local exhibitions. Information is below, go along and take a look for yourself.
Tracey explains: The Green Man is finally completed, and I took him to be hung in the exhibition yesterday.  This piece is for a particular exhibition linked to the Queen’s Green Canopy platinum jubilee tree planting initiative. 
I chose to embroider The Green Man for the Green Canopy Project because for centuries he has been broadly interpreted as the god of the forest, vegetable and plant life, and all life on earth, whether human, animal or plant, depends on forests.  Worldwide they provide habitat, prevent soil erosion, mitigate climate change, even give us the air we breathe, yet they are fast disappearing.  “Trees breathe life into our world.”
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And here’s the link in case anyone is interested to visit the event, which opens on Friday. 
https://events.lancashire.gov.uk/search/event_details.asp?eventid=11398&q=&area=allVenue&venue=Gawthorpe+Hall&daterange=&

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Pat R has had a textile piece accepted for Craft Open 2022 opening next month in the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe. Here’s a brief outline of the techniques she used. The fabrics are a selection of procion dyed and other fabrics, distressed paper, painted Bonda web and sundry items. She also stitched using free motion embroidery in a painterly fashion, using a selection of plain, variegated and gloss threads. She finished it off by adding small touches of foil.
Well Done Pat.

​There were a few monthly challenge pieces on display as usual. This month the inspiration was a place. Look at the slide show below.

The April challenge pieces should reflect ‘Inspired by Gardens’.
Kath H had also finished several pieces of Kogin work from last month’s day school with Liz Almond.

Next month we look forward to the Nicola Jarvis day school- ‘Whitework Hearts’.

Thanks to Janet, Pat and Tracey who have contributed to the blog this month
Keep safe everyone and Keep stitching.
A.R.