
Marie was a teacher of French, which lead to her interest in Boutis. For several years Marie gave talks on Boutis to the Amish people, which became very popular. Although she had no intention of teaching Boutis one thing
led to another and before she knew it, her courses quickly became oversubscribed. Marie now takes no more than three courses a year, making us very fortunate to have been able to attend this course today.
hand sew tiny stiches in double rows, creating tubes which are then stuffed with lengths of cotton twist arran. This
creates a raised motif, giving a padded look to a cushion, or a table mat, with wonderful results.
painstakingly prepared batiste fabric with two patterns drawn out, each with a few lines of stitches already done, to get us started.
like when completed.
a further knot between two layers. In this way, the front looks exactly the same as the back.
The first pattern we attempted had a heart shape in the middle, with square lines surrounding the heart. Marie
demonstrated how to sew around the heart, and then stuff it so it was nice and plump, which we went away to
attempt ourselves.
It was at this point, that Marie mentioned that she had two prizes to give out, she asked a few questions and
someone received a book on the Art of Boutis by Kumiko Makayam-Geraets (which is in English - as most are
written only in French). Another prize being a pair of snippers.
After this, we continued to sew tiny stitches along all the squares drawn on the fabric.

In the side room, many members were busy sewing on various projects. Members who do not wish to partake in the workshop, usually bring something along to work on whilst having a chat and catch up with one another.
When we had completed stitching our square lines. We stopped for lunch and chatted about the new technique we were learning..

We then had a demonstration on how to stuff the lines and shapes with cotton twist arran. After each length of arran had been pulled through a 'channel,' we would cut it and 'stuff' the loose ends back into the hole in the batiste, using a tooth pick.
continued in this way until we had 'stuffed' the alternate channels to create a raised motif in our fabric.
As the original pattern had been drawn in a pen that disappears when it comes into contact with heat,
when washed, the lines will disappear, and we will be left with a pure white fabric, which can be closed
around the edges with a buttonhole stitch, or pinched every so often to create a picot edge. (Another
method would be to applique the motif onto a larger project).
Marie had also brought a quilt that she had made for a relative, where she had used the 'boutis' technique in the centre of each square. It took many months of sewing, and is a much treasured item.
was something that we could all enjoy doing whilst sitting of an evening, watching television, or out
in the garden, at any time.
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Notices:
Strawberry Tea
Just a reminder, if you haven't yet purchased your ticket for the Strawberry Tea in July, they are available
at £2.50 each, to be held on 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.
PLEASE NOTE: 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.
Barton Grange
Anyone displaying a piece of work in September, can you please contact Margaret Kay to
let her have your completed form, as soon as possible.