During the opening messages, it was noted that our next meeting will be 'Box Making' with Marguerita McBride and not what is stated in our printed programme. It was also requested that anyone wishing to attend the Regional Day should let Liz know as soon as possible.
• For the Regional Chair’s Challenge we will construct a series of cubes, each along a particular theme, and members were invited to take one side each to complete. The cubes will then be assembled by participating committee members, and promise to be colourful, varied and interesting. Printed instructions were provided and each individual piece to be completed by June please.
• The Savick library bunting project is progressing and the children’s drawings have now been transferred to fabric, ready for stitched embellishment. Printed instructions were provided and each piece to be completed by September please
• For the Regional Chair’s Challenge we will construct a series of cubes, each along a particular theme, and members were invited to take one side each to complete. The cubes will then be assembled by participating committee members, and promise to be colourful, varied and interesting. Printed instructions were provided and each individual piece to be completed by June please.
• The Savick library bunting project is progressing and the children’s drawings have now been transferred to fabric, ready for stitched embellishment. Printed instructions were provided and each piece to be completed by September please
Today’s Day School was Calico Gardens with tutor Angie Burt and it was very well attended.
Angie displayed a beautiful selection of her completed pieces, before leading the group with a beginners’ project, challenging enough to be interesting, but not so much as to be intimidating for first timers. Here are the pieces she brought with her:
Angie began by presenting us all with a pack of materials that we will be using throughout the day, including some Pelmet Vilene which we would use to make the sign post. We started off by attaching it using long stitches to provide the effect of shading up one side. The top of the post was affixed using small stitches and two french knots.
Next Angie showed us how to prepare our pebbles and stones.
We used cardboard and wadding to pad the pebble out before covering it with calico and pulling it tight around the back. The stones were made by using a piece of 'tights' fabric stretched over some toy stuffing by sewing a small circle and putting the stuffing in before pulling the thread tight. We were then shown how to sew them onto our calico.
We used cardboard and wadding to pad the pebble out before covering it with calico and pulling it tight around the back. The stones were made by using a piece of 'tights' fabric stretched over some toy stuffing by sewing a small circle and putting the stuffing in before pulling the thread tight. We were then shown how to sew them onto our calico.
Next we were shown how to create a woven picot stitch to create leaves that where fixed at the bottom and loose at the tip, stem stitch for the plant stems and some linen scrim fabric to make larger flat leaves. Small discs of pelmet vilene were also cut out to create a raised flower, giving a 3D effect.
Everyone made good progress, thoroughly enjoying learning the elegant and charming style of work, which uses a subtle restricted palette of creams, ivories and palest greys and coffee colours, employing a range of very interesting stitches, including appliqué, picot, stump work and other raised techniques. There was even talk of a “lock-in” to make sure everyone finished their pieces, but it’s not the type of thing to rush, the pleasure is in the work itself for such a lovely project, and we look forward to seeing the completed gardens in due course. I dare say we’d love a return visit from such a talented and helpful tutor.
Here are some of the end results..................
Here are some of the end results..................
Meanwhile, there was a wide range of independent projects underway in “the other room” amongst those not taking part in the workshop.
Sue was working on a piece based on the portrait in the Harris museum of Annie Hill, a 12 year old cotton mill girl. Working on silk organza and using vintage threads in muted tones, Sue’s finely stitched piece promises to be a stunning exhibit. Pam was putting the finishing touches to a beautiful mixed media image of “The Flower Marquee”, a perfect image of a country show stall, and Beryl working on a finely beaded Easter egg.
Annabel was needle weaving a classic yacht, Karen stitching skeleton leaves using fine perlé thread in muted autumn tones and Rosie completing a large calico covered pebble, embellished with seashells and pearls.
Jennifer was knitting a lovely classic 1950s baby matinée jacket in 3 ply yarn, a pattern she has used many times and for several generations, whilst Yvonne was using stump work and calico garden techniques to create “pots and jugs” filled with flowers and plants.
Edwina was beginning an appliquéd wall hanging of a cat, Joan stitching a vintage embroidery of physalis (Chinese lantern flowers) and other autumn blooms and Kay working on a patchwork mixed media piece.
Anne’s project was a vintage damask tablecloth to which she was adding a cross stitch inserted section depicting the four seasons, Kathryn was completing a kit project of a protea flower made from individual appliquéd fabric petals, whilst Carole and Margaret were journalling.
At the back of the main room Kath was using Kantha stitch to embroider a moon-gazing hare onto a piece of printed fabric, which she will then make into a cushion, Hilary hand finishing a embellished felted robin and Tracey completing a crewel work dodo bird in contemporary colours.
Sue was working on a piece based on the portrait in the Harris museum of Annie Hill, a 12 year old cotton mill girl. Working on silk organza and using vintage threads in muted tones, Sue’s finely stitched piece promises to be a stunning exhibit. Pam was putting the finishing touches to a beautiful mixed media image of “The Flower Marquee”, a perfect image of a country show stall, and Beryl working on a finely beaded Easter egg.
Annabel was needle weaving a classic yacht, Karen stitching skeleton leaves using fine perlé thread in muted autumn tones and Rosie completing a large calico covered pebble, embellished with seashells and pearls.
Jennifer was knitting a lovely classic 1950s baby matinée jacket in 3 ply yarn, a pattern she has used many times and for several generations, whilst Yvonne was using stump work and calico garden techniques to create “pots and jugs” filled with flowers and plants.
Edwina was beginning an appliquéd wall hanging of a cat, Joan stitching a vintage embroidery of physalis (Chinese lantern flowers) and other autumn blooms and Kay working on a patchwork mixed media piece.
Anne’s project was a vintage damask tablecloth to which she was adding a cross stitch inserted section depicting the four seasons, Kathryn was completing a kit project of a protea flower made from individual appliquéd fabric petals, whilst Carole and Margaret were journalling.
At the back of the main room Kath was using Kantha stitch to embroider a moon-gazing hare onto a piece of printed fabric, which she will then make into a cushion, Hilary hand finishing a embellished felted robin and Tracey completing a crewel work dodo bird in contemporary colours.
Throughout the day Christine was busy PAT testing everyone’s machines and it was lovely to see the librarian from Savick library, who popped in to say hello and see what we were all up to.
The shop and bookstall were both open, but unusually had little custom because we were all so busy. However, the tea, coffee and biscuits took a bit of a hammering - concentrating is thirsty work - on a thoroughly enjoyable day, with lovely work and great company.
Tracey. 1st February 2020
The shop and bookstall were both open, but unusually had little custom because we were all so busy. However, the tea, coffee and biscuits took a bit of a hammering - concentrating is thirsty work - on a thoroughly enjoyable day, with lovely work and great company.
Tracey. 1st February 2020
RSS Feed
