Everyone was very enthusiastic after our summer break, eager to get on with the dayschool, work they had brought with them or have a catch up chat.
The meeting began with Dee our chair, giving out the notices, which included a reminder that there is an early bird offer on Embroiderers’ Guild subscriptions. She also reminded everyone to return library books on time and about nominations for the AGM in October.
The meeting began with Dee our chair, giving out the notices, which included a reminder that there is an early bird offer on Embroiderers’ Guild subscriptions. She also reminded everyone to return library books on time and about nominations for the AGM in October.
Margaret, one of our members, asked if we would be interested in stitching a collage for the Samaritans depicting ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’. She had found a suitable picture, enlarged it and cut it into 24 squares. Each participant will embroider their allotted square which will then be joined together. There were lots of willing volunteers for this task. I am sure there will be news of the finished picture in a future blog.
Gina then introduced our tutor for the day Maggie who was to teach us how to make her very individual dolls of which she had brought a large display of examples to show us.
She then showed us some of her basic dolls made in different shapes and sizes.
We had ordered kits which she had brought with her. We began by making the sand bag which fits inside the doll allowing it to stand firmly.
We had ordered kits which she had brought with her. We began by making the sand bag which fits inside the doll allowing it to stand firmly.
Then we machined the doll’s body and the arms. We prepared the head, which is a compressed cotton ball covered in a skin coloured fine material.
The next stage was inserting the sandbag and stuffing the body around the sandbag very firmly halfway down from the top.
The next stage was inserting the sandbag and stuffing the body around the sandbag very firmly halfway down from the top.
Using a long doll needle, strong cord was threaded on a large button up through the stuffing in the body and through two smaller buttons to form the neck. The cord was pushed up through the head and back down again. This was the most difficult part. The cord was tied off tightly through the large button, then the rest of the body was stuffed very firmly and sewn up the side.
Next the arms were stuffed but not as firmly as the body and the sleeves, if required, were slid over them before attaching the arms with two small buttons.
This made the basic doll which could then be adorned with accessories of our choice. Maggie showed us various methods of making turbans, tiny bags and using beads.
Every one enjoyed the day and we were sewing right up to the last minute but only Irene managed a completed doll.
Every one enjoyed the day and we were sewing right up to the last minute but only Irene managed a completed doll.
Hopefully they will be finished at home and will return ‘in all their glory’ to be photographed together for a future blog.
K.H.
K.H.
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