The day began very well with an absence of the pouring rain of the previous week. We happily unloaded our cars and set up the hall for our Workshop “Personalised cards and collages.” Meanwhile, in the other room, members were gathering to catch up after Christmas, chat and carry on with their own projects.
Ann put out a lovely selection of pieces to inspire us and after notices, her group gathered for her introduction. Each card /collage for a friend, had a story behind it, which showed us how we could personalise our own gifts and make something really special and relevant with words, motifs or images as a reminder of an enjoyable event/activity. The motifs can also be applied to other items, such as the lovely tote bag Ann had entered in a previous competition.
First we placed a double layer of calico into our hoops and stretched it taut. We then pinned the paper image we wished to sew on top of the fabric and using free machining, outlined the image in black thread. Ann advised us to check the back of our sewing to ensure all the details were there.
Machining along given lines is trickier than stitching freely, but a little practice helps and we were soon on our way. Once the paper was gently pulled off it was time to re-stitch in a coloured thread of our choice.
When it was well stitched and feeling sturdy we took the fabric out of our hoops.
Lunchtime provided a good opportunity to move around and catch up.
When it was well stitched and feeling sturdy we took the fabric out of our hoops.
Lunchtime provided a good opportunity to move around and catch up.
Margaret was stitching together “Bridge Over Troubled Water” squares.
Yvonne was putting the final touches to her cushions’ design for our gift to mark 70 years of Preston’s twinning with Almelo, helped by suggestions from other members about thread colours and finishing details.
Members will be delighted to see the finished results of these pieces of work, I’m sure.
Tracey talked to us about a Poppy Appeal she is involved with. Tracey has accumulated 1300 crocheted poppies made not only by her, but sent to her, from as far away as Canada. The aim of this appeal was to achieve a million poppies one for each life lost in the Great War,1914-1918. Some poppies are white to indicate lives lost by non-combatants, stretcher bearers, ambulance drivers and many others who played their part. Read more about the project under 'Other News'.
Thank you Tracey for sharing this with us, it resonates so well with the Guild’s initiative, “100 hearts.” Guild members are invited to make commemorative hearts which will be displayed in different venues; 100 hearts, one for each year to mark the centenary of WW1.
Yvonne was putting the final touches to her cushions’ design for our gift to mark 70 years of Preston’s twinning with Almelo, helped by suggestions from other members about thread colours and finishing details.
Members will be delighted to see the finished results of these pieces of work, I’m sure.
Tracey talked to us about a Poppy Appeal she is involved with. Tracey has accumulated 1300 crocheted poppies made not only by her, but sent to her, from as far away as Canada. The aim of this appeal was to achieve a million poppies one for each life lost in the Great War,1914-1918. Some poppies are white to indicate lives lost by non-combatants, stretcher bearers, ambulance drivers and many others who played their part. Read more about the project under 'Other News'.
Thank you Tracey for sharing this with us, it resonates so well with the Guild’s initiative, “100 hearts.” Guild members are invited to make commemorative hearts which will be displayed in different venues; 100 hearts, one for each year to mark the centenary of WW1.
Back to the workshop.
After lunch in her next demonstration, Ann showed us how to cut out our motifs, first roughly and then carefully. Fold any tricky part and pierce with the scissor points to get into it and cut out. Ann told us not to worry about a little fraying. Before too long we each had a completed motif and were ready to try another.
After lunch in her next demonstration, Ann showed us how to cut out our motifs, first roughly and then carefully. Fold any tricky part and pierce with the scissor points to get into it and cut out. Ann told us not to worry about a little fraying. Before too long we each had a completed motif and were ready to try another.
As one member commented, “this is definitely another addiction!”
Ann had kindly brought a good selection of pictures to choose from. Clipart is a good source as well as magazines and your own drawings.
Ann had kindly brought a good selection of pictures to choose from. Clipart is a good source as well as magazines and your own drawings.
It is possible to spray/sponge some colour onto the card you are using, to enhance it. You could also stitch over the front of the card too.
The next stage was to place your chosen fabric background over a piece of pelmet Vilene/iron-on interfacing. Lay it under the aperture in your card front and draw lightly around the shape, so you know where to place it. If you want to write a message in that space write it lightly in pencil before removing it and free machining over it. Motifs can be applied to the card using craft dots or double sided tape.
The next stage was to place your chosen fabric background over a piece of pelmet Vilene/iron-on interfacing. Lay it under the aperture in your card front and draw lightly around the shape, so you know where to place it. If you want to write a message in that space write it lightly in pencil before removing it and free machining over it. Motifs can be applied to the card using craft dots or double sided tape.
Ann reminded us to always check that you have your card the right way up before you begin, it sounds obvious, but there’s many a slip……
You can cover the back of the front page with a sheet of paper/light card when you’ve finished, to give a more professional look.
When making a collage, apply your motifs to the background and then mount onto a larger piece of card or board.
You can cover the back of the front page with a sheet of paper/light card when you’ve finished, to give a more professional look.
When making a collage, apply your motifs to the background and then mount onto a larger piece of card or board.
We all felt very satisfied with the day’s achievement and so grateful to Ann for giving her workshop, despite having one foot in a special boot to protect her broken metatarsal. We hope you’ll soon be mended Ann. Thank you!
Thank you also to Sylvia, Stephanie and Zena for running the shop, library and raffle respectively.
It was a lovely start to the New Year and we can’t wait for next month!
D.E.
Thank you also to Sylvia, Stephanie and Zena for running the shop, library and raffle respectively.
It was a lovely start to the New Year and we can’t wait for next month!
D.E.
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