In the morning, Sandi introduced Sylvia Maudsley who would teach us all about Shashiko (pronounced as Shash-ko).
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Sylvia explained that Shashiko is traditionally worked in blue material with white stitching. This came about as centuries ago, Japanese peasants were only permitted to work in indigo blue. Shashiko arose as many peasants, who wore kimonos and wraps, re-used the material when the garment was worn out. In order to add patterns to it the only available thread colour was white. (Only wealthy people of this time had any bright colours in their clothes).
Being very organised, Syliva had kindly prepared starter packs for us all, and instruction sheets. We were told it would take us about half an hour to draw around the templates, onto our fabric. Special Shashiko thread and material was to be used, and a needle with a large eye.
We were shown a completed needle case and scissor case, for the templates given. There was also a Japanese name badge for us to look at, known as a 'mon'. It was explained that as peasants in Japan where predominantly illiterate, the name badge would have a symbol embroidered onto it, people who saw it would know which family it came from.
Sylvia gave a few suggestions that we needed to take into account before starting to stitch. We were given the choice to start with an 'away' stitch or we could do an invisible start, Each method making it, so that the reverse of the material looked the same as the front, when we had finished stitching. We could all tell straight away that this was something that would be nice to do, gently by hand.
Once we had traced our patterns onto the fabric, our instructions showed us a set route to follow with our stitches,
We were also shown how to fix the felt into our needle case when completed, before the backing was put on.
Everyone seem to thoroughly enjoy their stitching, as it was a very relaxing thing to do. Others mentioned how they felt it was something that could be done anywhere. Here are the results.
I know I speak for all those who attended when I say a big thank you to Sylvia who has inspired us with this technique.
The back room was its usual busy self, with lots of projects and chats going on, and our current mentoring program, where our seasoned sewers are passing their much valued knowledge over to others. The mentoring scheme is something that started recently, and has been taken up by members wishing to increase their knowledge of embroidery.
The back room was its usual busy self, with lots of projects and chats going on, and our current mentoring program, where our seasoned sewers are passing their much valued knowledge over to others. The mentoring scheme is something that started recently, and has been taken up by members wishing to increase their knowledge of embroidery.
It never ceases to amaze us, the hard work put in by all of the team each month, particularly the library and the shop provided for all members to use..
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After lunch and a quick look around at the designs we had all been sewing in the morning, Judy Fairless was introduced as our afternoon speaker.
Judie had laid some quilt pieces on a table for us to look at.
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After lunch and a quick look around at the designs we had all been sewing in the morning, Judy Fairless was introduced as our afternoon speaker.
Judie had laid some quilt pieces on a table for us to look at.
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Judy explained that she became a member of the Quilters Guild and progressed to undertake a City and Guilds level 2 in Embroidery, in 1991 (a quilt being one of her pieces). After completing the course, she was asked to teach patchwork and embroidery in 1993, in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire,
The Quilters Guild began to set up 3 to 4 sub-groups on sewing contemporary quilts, and Judy, being interested in contemporary quilts, became a co-ordinator, and the group quickly became interested in the Journal Quilt Project which came about in an interesting way.
Someone called Jeanne Williamson challenged herself to create one six inch quilt each week, and did so for seven years! Both playing and experimenting with different designs and ideas.
Later, Karey Palders had heard of Jeanne Williamson, and decided to set the challenge to invite people all over the world to participate in making one A4 size quilt per month. They would have to document it in a journal explaining the media and method and if they thought the outcome was successful or not. Themes of nature, portraits, landscapes, artists, abstract or a personal journey through things such as bereavement, illness etc., could be followed. One member of the Contemporary Quilt Group, Helen Cowans suggested that the group would like to undertake this project too.
In 2007, Judy began her first journal, setting herself the task of one A4 size quilt per month. The sizes of quilt required, changed from year to year.
Year 1 (2007), it was A4
Year 2 (2008) it was a 12 inch square
Year 3 (2009) it was a 6 x 12 inch oblong (landscape or portrait)
Year 4 (2010) it was 10 x 7 inches
Year 5 (2011) it was 10 x 10 inches
Year 6 (2012) it was A4 size
Year 7 (2013) Judy did not take part as she felt she needed a rest
Year 8 (2014), it is an 8 inch square
On the overhead projector we were shown images from Judy's first project inspired by Islamic Ceramics from an exhibition she had visited at the Potteries Museum. Judy began to draw ideas in a small sketch book she had taken with her. She mentioned that she is not one of those people who can just conjure up ideas in her head and likes instead to explore things.
Someone called Jeanne Williamson challenged herself to create one six inch quilt each week, and did so for seven years! Both playing and experimenting with different designs and ideas.
Later, Karey Palders had heard of Jeanne Williamson, and decided to set the challenge to invite people all over the world to participate in making one A4 size quilt per month. They would have to document it in a journal explaining the media and method and if they thought the outcome was successful or not. Themes of nature, portraits, landscapes, artists, abstract or a personal journey through things such as bereavement, illness etc., could be followed. One member of the Contemporary Quilt Group, Helen Cowans suggested that the group would like to undertake this project too.
In 2007, Judy began her first journal, setting herself the task of one A4 size quilt per month. The sizes of quilt required, changed from year to year.
Year 1 (2007), it was A4
Year 2 (2008) it was a 12 inch square
Year 3 (2009) it was a 6 x 12 inch oblong (landscape or portrait)
Year 4 (2010) it was 10 x 7 inches
Year 5 (2011) it was 10 x 10 inches
Year 6 (2012) it was A4 size
Year 7 (2013) Judy did not take part as she felt she needed a rest
Year 8 (2014), it is an 8 inch square
On the overhead projector we were shown images from Judy's first project inspired by Islamic Ceramics from an exhibition she had visited at the Potteries Museum. Judy began to draw ideas in a small sketch book she had taken with her. She mentioned that she is not one of those people who can just conjure up ideas in her head and likes instead to explore things.
Having undertaken a basic City and Guilds course in Paint Shop Pro, Judy tried printing from the computer onto fabric using printable silk on a plastic carrier sheet. At the end of the first year, Judy picked 5 out of the 12 quilts and entered them in an exhibition, with an explanation on how she had got from A to Z. The exhibition had a lot of interest.
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Throughout the talk, Judy explained various techniques she had used to dye her fabrics using things such as 'rusting fabric,' 'snow dying,' and even how she used shaving foam and dyes to get the sample she required.
Over the years, the themes she has followed came from her many travels across the world, such as Peru, The Silk Road, which included China and Chairman Mao's Terracotta Army. This year's theme is Albania, following a visit there.
Over the years, the themes she has followed came from her many travels across the world, such as Peru, The Silk Road, which included China and Chairman Mao's Terracotta Army. This year's theme is Albania, following a visit there.
Judy closed her talk by telling us that originally in 2007 when the Quilters project started, 50 people had signed up. Now in 2014 there are 150 people, all sewing a small quilt every month.
We all thanked Judy for sharing with us, and spent some time looking through all her lovely samples at the end of her talk.
We all thanked Judy for sharing with us, and spent some time looking through all her lovely samples at the end of her talk.
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In June, Marie Lewis, (who gave a talk a couple of months ago), will be holding a workshop all about 'Boutis.' Pre-ordered packs will be available at £3.50 each from Marie on the day. The pack will include a book on 'how to Boutis.'
However, it is advisable to bring an embroidery hoop, as the design will be 6 inches square, please bring a hoop bigger than this, to accommodate it, if you can.
On Saturday 3rd May, there were only a couple of places left. If you would like to attend, please contact Sandie Maher. ==================================================================
NOTICES
There are various events going on throughout the months of May to August, and helpers are needed for all of these events, if members have a few hours to spare on these days, please let one of the committee know.
May 17th - Leyland Library
2nd August - St Georges Shopping Centre OR similar venue, (for National Sewing Day).
21st August Kingsfold Library, Penwortham
May & June - North West Region exhibition at the Storey Gallery in Lancaster. Stewards are needed. Please see Sandi for details.
Strawberry Tea
Tickets are now on sale at £2.50 each for our Strawberry Tea event to be held on Saturday, 5th July 2014.
Chairmans' Challenge
Our Chairmans' challenge this year, is to make a corsage for the exhibition at Barton Grange in September. Stewards will wear their corsage when they steward. The prize for the best corsage will be a framed piece of Wessex stitch, made by Kath Morton, kindly donated by her family. To be held by the winner for 12 months.
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