After a very unusual week for the Guild it was good to see familiar faces and a sense of togetherness as many of us waited in anticipation to start our first Zoom workshop. It was also good to see one or two ladies joining us for a stitch and chat and to observe the workshop.
Once again Kath R. let us into the meeting- no glitches this time and Kath (Chair) welcomed everyone. After a very brief introduction Nikki began the workshop.
Nikki is an ex Art teacher and self-taught textile fanatic. She first began sewing in 2005 and now specialises in large scale textile and mixed media pieces. She is inspired by history, myths, legends, symbolism and the natural world. She is a member of the EG and Textile 21, and has exhibited widely with both group and solo shows. She has also written projects for publications, such as Stitch magazine and Maggie Grey’s WOW book.
Nikki had already sent individual packs of materials and we had traced one of the designs onto the plastic ready for the workshop.
The first task was to layer materials on to the template of the creature or flowers we had chosen to make. The materials varied from chiffon/organza, metallic film, dotted plastic and silver paper. We then encased them with another layer of plastic, and pinned the layers together.
Once again Kath R. let us into the meeting- no glitches this time and Kath (Chair) welcomed everyone. After a very brief introduction Nikki began the workshop.
Nikki is an ex Art teacher and self-taught textile fanatic. She first began sewing in 2005 and now specialises in large scale textile and mixed media pieces. She is inspired by history, myths, legends, symbolism and the natural world. She is a member of the EG and Textile 21, and has exhibited widely with both group and solo shows. She has also written projects for publications, such as Stitch magazine and Maggie Grey’s WOW book.
Nikki had already sent individual packs of materials and we had traced one of the designs onto the plastic ready for the workshop.
The first task was to layer materials on to the template of the creature or flowers we had chosen to make. The materials varied from chiffon/organza, metallic film, dotted plastic and silver paper. We then encased them with another layer of plastic, and pinned the layers together.
 Next we had to stitch around the design in a dark coloured thread. The thread Nikki used was just ordinary Coats Thread but several of us chose to use machine embroidery thread. Once the outline was completely stitched, we then changed the colour of the thread and started to fill in some of the shapes with machine embroidery. The method of stitching depended on the design to be stitched.  |   |
Nikki suggested leaving spaces where some of the plastic or silver paper came through and she showed us how to apply the safety eye, if needed, with a surround of craft foam. She went on to explain how to pad some of the design to give a 3D effect, how to cover the fuzzy pipe cleaners and apply the lovely plastic dome sequins, so that they too are trapped in the piece. Finally she showed us some of her brilliant work explaining how to apply the creature or flowers to a frame with a stitched, sequined and beaded background. She even suggested using a string of led lights in the design. Time was flying by so Nikki asked each of us to show our work and requested an invite back to see our finished pieces in the future.
Fish By Margaret W.
'Bird' by Sue E. The workshop was enjoyed by all of us – I had some very nice comments with the photographs that have come through for the blog.
“I really enjoyed the Zoom workshop and will do more as time allows. For me the plus points were not having to carry a sewing machine and set it up somewhere else and having all my equipment around me. Another plus point for machine embroidery is the ability to mute sound. I once went to a machine embroidery workshop with about 30 women and a Ukulele band in another room. The noise was awful.”
"I really enjoyed the workshop and it was something I’ve never done before."
"Thank you all for organising that lovely afternoon. I found it a bit difficult at first managing the computer and the sewing machine but managed in the end."
Barbara watched the workshop and here is what she said,’ “Thank you for letting me listen into the workshop, machine embroidery and me are not the best of pals (I need more practice) but I did enjoy watching. It did give me some food for thought for perhaps doing something similar by hand."
It was a new experience for many of us. It was certainly a different technique to learn and good fun as well. Thank you so much to Nikki who inspired us and answered our many questions and helped us to develop our pieces. Watch this space for the finished pieces in the forthcoming weeks.
Many of our members have been busy with the monthly challenge, which is so pleasing to know. This month (February) the challenge was to include a piece of lace. Below the slide show are comments from members about their work.
“I really enjoyed the Zoom workshop and will do more as time allows. For me the plus points were not having to carry a sewing machine and set it up somewhere else and having all my equipment around me. Another plus point for machine embroidery is the ability to mute sound. I once went to a machine embroidery workshop with about 30 women and a Ukulele band in another room. The noise was awful.”
"I really enjoyed the workshop and it was something I’ve never done before."
"Thank you all for organising that lovely afternoon. I found it a bit difficult at first managing the computer and the sewing machine but managed in the end."
Barbara watched the workshop and here is what she said,’ “Thank you for letting me listen into the workshop, machine embroidery and me are not the best of pals (I need more practice) but I did enjoy watching. It did give me some food for thought for perhaps doing something similar by hand."
It was a new experience for many of us. It was certainly a different technique to learn and good fun as well. Thank you so much to Nikki who inspired us and answered our many questions and helped us to develop our pieces. Watch this space for the finished pieces in the forthcoming weeks.
Many of our members have been busy with the monthly challenge, which is so pleasing to know. This month (February) the challenge was to include a piece of lace. Below the slide show are comments from members about their work.
‘My inspiration was the robins in the garden in this very cold weather. The robin is needle felted onto felt’- Edwina.
‘The inspiration for my piece was a Christmas card I had received. I used lace dyed purple to cover the head of the flower. The top is tufted and leaves have straight stitch and split stitch with beading at the top’- Mel.
‘My inspiration for February are the many snowdrop walks that take place around this time of year. Lytham Hall snowdrop walk comes to mind. On some of my many daily exercise walks I have seen beautiful verges full of snowdrops as well. I used the lace to create a meander of white amongst green muslin and a brown background. I couched leaves and stems and then used Broderie Anglais lace edging to create the snowdrop and the buds’ - Ann R.
‘I stitched a house in Canvas work, of one of the married quarters we lived in Helens burgh. The lace is in the windows ‘ – Sandie.
I have called my project for this month February Dawn. I was watching the sky lighten early one morning, and all the colours of the rainbow seemed to be there. The tree on the roadside outside our house looked so stark against the colours in the sky - I have tried to reproduce them, but nature is so much more intense isn't it. I couldn't incorporate any lace as I don't have any that is suitable. Let's hope it isn't too long before we are able to get around again and able to mooch about and replenish our stocks’ - Margaret G.
‘My poem is taken from an old poem from a children’s book I had years ago. I have adjusted the words to fit my pictures. The lace required is in the window looking out onto the February weather. I used crewel wool for the bulbs and boy figure and watercolour paint for the background’ – Irene.
‘My inspiration for this month was obviously Valentine's Day and the snowdrops popping up. It's such a positive move towards Spring’ - Barbara S.
'I have stitched a crocus for my February piece' - Kath R.
'The lace requirement for my hellebores and crocus is the base of the hellebores like the one pinned and cut out at the side in the photo. I have also included my photo for January which shows snowdrops with applique and seed stitch' - Kath H.
‘The inspiration for my piece was a Christmas card I had received. I used lace dyed purple to cover the head of the flower. The top is tufted and leaves have straight stitch and split stitch with beading at the top’- Mel.
‘My inspiration for February are the many snowdrop walks that take place around this time of year. Lytham Hall snowdrop walk comes to mind. On some of my many daily exercise walks I have seen beautiful verges full of snowdrops as well. I used the lace to create a meander of white amongst green muslin and a brown background. I couched leaves and stems and then used Broderie Anglais lace edging to create the snowdrop and the buds’ - Ann R.
‘I stitched a house in Canvas work, of one of the married quarters we lived in Helens burgh. The lace is in the windows ‘ – Sandie.
I have called my project for this month February Dawn. I was watching the sky lighten early one morning, and all the colours of the rainbow seemed to be there. The tree on the roadside outside our house looked so stark against the colours in the sky - I have tried to reproduce them, but nature is so much more intense isn't it. I couldn't incorporate any lace as I don't have any that is suitable. Let's hope it isn't too long before we are able to get around again and able to mooch about and replenish our stocks’ - Margaret G.
‘My poem is taken from an old poem from a children’s book I had years ago. I have adjusted the words to fit my pictures. The lace required is in the window looking out onto the February weather. I used crewel wool for the bulbs and boy figure and watercolour paint for the background’ – Irene.
‘My inspiration for this month was obviously Valentine's Day and the snowdrops popping up. It's such a positive move towards Spring’ - Barbara S.
'I have stitched a crocus for my February piece' - Kath R.
'The lace requirement for my hellebores and crocus is the base of the hellebores like the one pinned and cut out at the side in the photo. I have also included my photo for January which shows snowdrops with applique and seed stitch' - Kath H.
Kath R has continued with her love of crocheting and made this lovely elephant too!
Mel has been super productive and an inspiration for us all I think, so I have put more of her pictures in her own slide show. She has not only completed our monthly challenge but has taken part in several workshops on line and other challenges. Here is what she has said:
“I have completed two coral pieces from the Zara Day course on coral. One is a coloured piece and the other is a bleached coral reef after pollution.
Another piece is from a mark making workshop with Maria Livesey. I used chain stitch and running stitch in this one and the fourth piece is also from the same workshop using freezer paper templates of tulips and stitching around them.
Mel has been super productive and an inspiration for us all I think, so I have put more of her pictures in her own slide show. She has not only completed our monthly challenge but has taken part in several workshops on line and other challenges. Here is what she has said:
“I have completed two coral pieces from the Zara Day course on coral. One is a coloured piece and the other is a bleached coral reef after pollution.
Another piece is from a mark making workshop with Maria Livesey. I used chain stitch and running stitch in this one and the fourth piece is also from the same workshop using freezer paper templates of tulips and stitching around them.
I have also been taking part in the Anne Brooks challenge, which started on the 1st of January. The idea is to complete 52 tags, one a week and to write something that has happened that week on the back of the tag. I can’t believe I have done 10 already! “
Next month we have a talk by Liz Almond entitled ‘Islamic Inspiration- Black work Embroidery in Architecture’.
The March challenge is to incorporate appliqué into your piece. We all look forward to seeing your lovely work and once again it isn’t too late to have a go, so please join in if you can.
Stay safe and keep stitching,
AR
The March challenge is to incorporate appliqué into your piece. We all look forward to seeing your lovely work and once again it isn’t too late to have a go, so please join in if you can.
Stay safe and keep stitching,
AR
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