It has been a very quiet month and perhaps everyone is getting a little weary of the situation with local rules and guidelines. Still several members continue to keep us informed of their achievements which is brilliant and I for one find some inspiration from what they have made and stitched. It will continue to be a few difficult months ahead not knowing when meetings will commence and things can get back to the ‘new’ normal. Some members will be reflecting on a decision about membership of the guild and what that will mean for our branch.
In the meantime on a positive note let’s take a look at what members have been up to:
In the meantime on a positive note let’s take a look at what members have been up to:
Edwina has been busy pushing the boundaries of her creativity and has made a driftwood hanging from pieces of driftwood she found on Longton Marsh.
She added, “I collected it in March after the high Spring tide when the sea comes right up the embankment around Longton. It was during the strict lockdown and 30 minutes was long enough for me to cycle to The Dolphin (a local pub) and back.”
Edwina has been busy pushing the boundaries of her creativity and has made a driftwood hanging from pieces of driftwood she found on Longton Marsh.
She added, “I collected it in March after the high Spring tide when the sea comes right up the embankment around Longton. It was during the strict lockdown and 30 minutes was long enough for me to cycle to The Dolphin (a local pub) and back.”
Kath R has been trying out printmaking:-
She said, “I drew the designs then carved some out of lino and some by wood engraving. Then I printed them with oil based relief ink onto card and fabric using my new printing press. I am hoping to make a hanging with the fabric and I will call it my coronavirus piece for 2020. The prints on card will be used for greeting cards.”
Kath H received the third ‘Luna Lapin’ book from her granddaughter for her birthday.
“It actually came with 'strings' attached as my granddaughter wanted this one making. There are a few embroidery stitches and wool felting for the spots as well. I could have made two dresses in the time it took. Ha ha.”
She said, “I drew the designs then carved some out of lino and some by wood engraving. Then I printed them with oil based relief ink onto card and fabric using my new printing press. I am hoping to make a hanging with the fabric and I will call it my coronavirus piece for 2020. The prints on card will be used for greeting cards.”
Kath H received the third ‘Luna Lapin’ book from her granddaughter for her birthday.
“It actually came with 'strings' attached as my granddaughter wanted this one making. There are a few embroidery stitches and wool felting for the spots as well. I could have made two dresses in the time it took. Ha ha.”
Carolynne has been busy once again and has shared her cushion project with us.
When Issue 96 of Stitch magazine came out in Aug/Sept 2015, I bought some linen fabric, lace trim and threads at the festival of Quilts as I really wanted to make 2 cushions for our caravan. The original design was in Blue and Green, but I needed Yellow and Green. I bought the recommended Aurifil Linen, Lace and cotton threads that the project required. After clearing away all of my half finished projects during lockdown, I decided in August I would get started on these, as I couldn’t believe I bought the fabric so long ago.
When Issue 96 of Stitch magazine came out in Aug/Sept 2015, I bought some linen fabric, lace trim and threads at the festival of Quilts as I really wanted to make 2 cushions for our caravan. The original design was in Blue and Green, but I needed Yellow and Green. I bought the recommended Aurifil Linen, Lace and cotton threads that the project required. After clearing away all of my half finished projects during lockdown, I decided in August I would get started on these, as I couldn’t believe I bought the fabric so long ago.
- First of all I used a water soluble marker to mark the pattern out and started to fill all the circles with detached chain stitch, followed by couching the stems of the flowers. Each time you used 2 different colours of floss to create the graduated shading as you look along the row.
- Linen, cotton and wool Aurifil threads where used of different colours, for seed stitching in between the flowers.
- I then added the lace trim with a short running stitch.
- Then onto the various rows of stitches down the sides, and across the top and bottom.
- I added some piping to my cushion which was not in the original instruction and a zip with a flap on the back.
The pattern makes use of the following stitches:
Detached Chain, Seed Stitch, Running Stitch, French Knots, Detached Chain and Running Stitch together, Lace Running Stitch and Chain Stitch and Couching for the stems. It has been a joy to get back to doing some hand stitching.
Detached Chain, Seed Stitch, Running Stitch, French Knots, Detached Chain and Running Stitch together, Lace Running Stitch and Chain Stitch and Couching for the stems. It has been a joy to get back to doing some hand stitching.
I have been busy collecting together the cubes for the North West Regional Chair’s Challenge on ‘Positivity’, yes we are on the final leg and I know seven of the eight cubes have now been completed. I have also been collecting all the pieces for the Savick Library bunting.
To date six pieces of the bunting are still with members but I am sure they will be in the post very soon. Savick Library remains closed at the moment but I have been in touch with Jennifer (the librarian) and discussed how she would like the finished bunting to be presented, so we are going for two ‘strings’ of bunting.
To date six pieces of the bunting are still with members but I am sure they will be in the post very soon. Savick Library remains closed at the moment but I have been in touch with Jennifer (the librarian) and discussed how she would like the finished bunting to be presented, so we are going for two ‘strings’ of bunting.
I have also been stitching pieces for the upcoming exhibition at Barton Grange in February 2021. Hopefully it will be going ahead and preparation is essential for this.
I have been trying out new techniques for my pieces, ‘Inspired by…….’ Not to give my ideas away I have used canvas to make strips linked to a place and crewel work as a basis for pieces inspired by an artist. I am on my second piece of crewel work with two more planned before completing the set. Then I hope to work on a piece linked to my Lockdown Journey. We (my husband and I) have walked over 700miles from our house since the beginning of the lockdown and have admired the seasons really close up. This piece is still in the planning stage, not on paper but in my brain!!
I have been trying out new techniques for my pieces, ‘Inspired by…….’ Not to give my ideas away I have used canvas to make strips linked to a place and crewel work as a basis for pieces inspired by an artist. I am on my second piece of crewel work with two more planned before completing the set. Then I hope to work on a piece linked to my Lockdown Journey. We (my husband and I) have walked over 700miles from our house since the beginning of the lockdown and have admired the seasons really close up. This piece is still in the planning stage, not on paper but in my brain!!
Finally, I have been making face coverings for family and friends following ‘the Big Community Sew’ patterns.
Well that is all the news. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this months blog. I hope you feel a little more inspired and not so alone. Yes I miss the natter and laughter too. Keep safe, keep well, keep calm and keep sewing.
A.R.
Well that is all the news. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this months blog. I hope you feel a little more inspired and not so alone. Yes I miss the natter and laughter too. Keep safe, keep well, keep calm and keep sewing.
A.R.
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