2nd August 2014 - National Stitch Day

Groups of members joined together to host activities for National Stitch Day at both The Harris Museum and Kirkham Library.

Kirkham Library
Preston and Lytham and Ansdell Embroiderers’ Guilds met at Kirkham Library to a warm welcome from the librarians. After setting up a small display of their work, Irene explained the tasks that visitors could try. As we settled down to our own projects our first stitchers arrived; two ladies (Nora and Frances) who had seen the posters around the town advertising the morning. Thank goodness the posters hadn’t gone unnoticed! We found out later one of the parents had heard about the morning on Facebook too!

Soon we had several children with their mothers as well, and more chairs had to be drafted in. Hairclips, bobbles and brooches were soon being stitched together. It seemed the hardest part was choosing the colour of felt and thread. Once the pieces were joined together the embellishing with beads could begin.

With a little help, the clips, pins and elastics were added. The girls, Lucy, Phoebe, Eveline and Charlotte were proud to model their work and eagerly moved on to other projects.

Several of the ladies showed an interest in the Embroiderers’ Guild and took away publicity materials not only about both Preston and Lytham and Ansdell meetings but also about the talk ‘Inspired’  with Sue Rangeley on Friday 5th September at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, 240, Tulketh Road, off Blackpool Road, Preston and the exhibition ‘Follow the Thread’ at Barton Grange Garden Centre, Garstang Road, Brock, Preston between 16th-22nd September 2014.

Before we knew it, it was 12:45pm and time to clear away. As we left we were asked to return in the future. It had been a very enjoyable and productive morning.


Harris Library

We were very fortunate to be able to also celebrate National Stitch Day in the lovely surroundings of the Harris Library.  Being met by a friendly Duty Manager, Mark, was a good start to what proved to be a very enjoyable day!

Tables were already arranged for us in a prime spot, with a useful stand for display nearby.  In no time we were ready to greet the public.

Kath Roberts, Vivien, Yvonne, Barbara Sandwell, Anne Parkinson, Mel and Carol joined Dee in the afternoon and we were soon happily stitching and chatting.  At first the library was quiet, but during the morning we enjoyed meeting several friendly ladies, interested in our work and the Guild activities.  Aminah had already been in touch by email, so it was a chance to meet her and show her some examples of what we do. We hope we've inspired all of them to join us, and we will be in touch soon.

At lunchtime, Carole and Barbara stayed on, and Margaret and Carolynne joined us.  Hobbycraft, in Preston, had kindly  donated some cross stitch initials and some wool, and these proved to be a great success, as the ladies who came to see us all took one home. 

The afternoon had as much interest as the morning, with a few more ladies putting their names down on our list to enquire about the Embroiderers' Guild, and one lady was of special interest to us all!

Sathiawathi  is from India, working for IBM, and is currently on a six month training course in the UK, 

She is a computer engineer and was delighted to come across us all in the library, showing a great interest in the work we were all doing, and seeing our displays of felting, cross stitch and quilting to name a few. 

Sathiawathi sat down with us all and Dee and Carole began to show her how to cross stitch a letter 'S' from one of the Hobbycraft packs.  She was absolutely delighted at learning this new skill, and commented on how friendly and nice all the ladies were being to her. 

Before long, it was 4pm and we had to pack up. I am sure this is something we will look forward to doing each year from now on.

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