November 2017- Stitch and Chat with ‘surgery’ sessions.

It was a lovely start to the day when Dee and Brenda welcomed some visitors and then thanked Gina for all her efforts as Programme Secretary over the past few years and presented her with flowers and a card.

After the notices Edwina (secretary) explained why it was so important for someone to consider taking on the role of Chair in October 2018 as we have a wonderful committee who are so supportive.

At around 10:30am, whilst those members who wanted to stitch and chat got on with their own work, the morning surgeries began for those who wanted to try out new skills and develop their own knowledge.

Different members have contributed to the blog this month and here is what they said about the surgeries they attended:-

Journaling.
Carole has presented us with so many ideas and techniques. Just can’t wait to get home and make a start. Now we will all have to go shopping first in order to experiment.

Using water soluble fabrics.
The class was led by Sandie who provided each of us with a piece of water soluble stabiliser called ‘Ultra Solvy’. She demonstrated free machine embroidery to make leaves, sometimes using cake wires. The technique can be used to make flowers, leaves or any lacy bits of embellishment. It can also be used as a stabiliser. An interesting morning.

3D flowers
A wonderful inspiring morning spent chatting and learning a new skill. Ann showed us how to make a flower from organza using free motion embroidery and cake wires. Very appropriate for the time of year, I had a poppy to show for my efforts. I will be trying out more at home. Thank you Ann.

After lunch two more surgeries began.
Encrusted calico
Rosie showed us how to sew rings and buttons in between two layers of fabric. We stitched around and inside them on the top fabric, then added bullion stitches, French knots, seed stitches and beads. Shells are then added and could be varnished to show off different colours, which helped you to select a matching colour of thread. The whole piece is stitched as an interpretation of encrustations on pebbles. A friendly helpful group full of wonderful ideas. Joan had a lovely afternoon playing with shells!

Using an embellishing machine.
Kath showed us a wide variety of samples she had created using wool tops, yarns, chiffon and silk fabric. Her recent exhibition pieces all started with an embellished background. She briefly showed us how to use the embellisher and then it was back to us to try out applying a variety of materials. Those of us new to an embellisher went a little wild with the materials all supplied very generously by Kath.

The uses for embellishing are endless and feeling inspired to continue to try out even more techniques the session came to an end far too quickly. Thanks Kath for your expertise, help and enthusiasm.

The ladies “Stitch and Chatting” have also contributed. Here is what they said;

Had a great time, working on the square for the joint "Bridge Over Troubled Water" project….Oh and Chatting.

Enjoyed getting some knitting done as I don’t seem to have time to do it. Had a lovely chat with those around the table.

Many ladies were completing their squares for the “Bridge Over Troubled Water” project, as well as carrying on with their own individual projects.

It was a lovely day; very busy lots going on but somewhat different to just a 'stitch and chat' day; something I am sure the committee will consider once again as our members are very talented and willing to share their expertise.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the blog this month. Thanks also to Sylvia, Stephanie and Rosie for running the shop, library and raffle.

Looking forward to our Christmas Party on Saturday 9th December. Don’t forget the Christmas competition is a ‘Christmas Card’ using any choice of materials and embroidery related technique you wish to use and our Secret Santa, which is an embroidery related gift up to the value of £5-00.

Ann Reading