Skill sharing session

Today's skills sharing session produced some Christmas decorations and Indian inspired bags. These red tree decorations use simple running stitches as used in Kantha embroidery.  Carol Condliffe provided members with written instructions, red linen weave fabric and some wadding. Five members took on the challenge and here are 3 of the half finished along with Carol's example.

Meanwhile on the other table Chris Harris was introducing an Indian mini bag as featured in a Stitches issue from 2010.

Everyone who took part made a good start but took them home to finish off.

AGM news

Our AGM this month was full of national, regional and branch news.

It was followed by a talk from Ann Ford entitled 'Cutting Edge'. Ann was fascinated by the wooden edging to the roofs of small local railway stations in Cornwall. She sketched them and at a later date used them as design elements for her work.

But the exciting news is that we voted in favour of changing our day to day name to 'Silk Town Stitchers'. This came about after our successful day standing at the local monthly market in Macclesfield in July as part of National stitch Day and the comments from visitors to our stall.  It is a more inclusive name and should dispel any elitist notion that the word Guild implies.

Here we are in the height of summer !!! Left to right, Margaret, Maggie, Ann, Jackie and Ann.


Despite the rather wet weather we stoically sat and stitches even though our fingers were like ice.

Folio Study Day

Here are two of the interesting pieces of embroidery from the Guilds vast collection. In March we had the opportunity to study these wide ranging examples in detail taking photos and making sketches so that we can interpret the designs, colours or shapes in our own style. These will then  be part of the June meeting when they will be on show to all members and a vote will be made.

 

 

 

 

 In May we had a study day when members came and worked on their designs along with any on going work they were involved in.

 

There was a wide range of work going on and a far amount of chat as well!!!!

THE ROSE BOWL 2014

This year's Rose Bowl winner was a contemporary take on white work. Margaret Steeden used vintage table linen as the base of a mini cushion covered in a range of embroidery stitches in varying cotton threads. These four pictures are close ups of the surface of the cushion.

PEOPLE AND PLACES - RACHEL GRANT

RACHEL GRANT

 

What an interesting talk we had when Rachel grant came to talk to us in May about her journey back into art after having her children. It was all sparked while she was walking her youngsters around her neighbourhood in the 'Potteries' North Staffordshire. She was intrigued by the internal walls of half demolished houses

This inspiration led to these beautiful canvases that reflects everyday life.

Rachel's website is well worth a visit to see what she is up to now.

JUNE MEETING - MARGO SINGER

Margo's talk on talk and slides on the use of embroidery throughout history led her into an interesting account of her work within the field of textiles. For many years she has been in education where she has encouraged her students to push the boundaries of textiles. Her role in the Textile Society has in the past meant she has had the huge role of orgnaising the Antique Fair in Manchester and for anyone who has attended this event will know what a feat that must have been.

This velvet scarf has been wrapped aound a pole before dyeing resulting in this distinctive design. This Arashi technique is common in Japan.

Margo has been involved in two published books, with Mary Syrou on 'Textile Arts - Multicultural Traditions' and more recently as sole author on 'Silk and Velvet'. It was this area that she expanded on during the latter part of her talk.

This is a sample of foiled velvet, a technique that Margo favours in her work.

Printed and stamped velvet that has been made into a bag.

Again foiled velvet that has been made into a handbag which has been machine embroidered over the top.

Christmas Event 2008

Well done to this table of members as they won the quiz and each received a selection of new DMC threads. The pic shows Hilary handing over the winnings. Each winner was also given a small rose plant as part of their prize. WELL DONE LADIES.

Past chair Margaret juggling with two cups of tea!!!

After a very enjoyable meal members finish off with a cup of tea or coffee and good chat before the quiz.

VARIATIONS 2 - Exhibition at Silk museum, Macclesfield

These photographs show some of the 'team' hanging the current exhibition- Variations 2 - at the Silk Museum Macclesfield. It runs until the 26th June 2008.

Pat is explaining the finer points of her work to the director.


Margaret is making some final adjustments to her bags.

Peter attaching the last exhibit!!

Hardanger Workshop

Julie Eastman writes about the hardanger work shop with Dorothy Hodgson.



"We all had a fantastic day. We began working on a small handanger sample which could be later made into a lavender sachet or mounted on a card to give to someone special."



Below are a selection of the pics Julie took on the day.


Beautiful work ladies, well done.

March/April update

Our first exhibition this year of members’ new work attracted a steady flow of visitors and may have earned us at least one new member. Here are Margaret and Hilary arranging the exhibits.







The second exhibition opens on Saturday 7 June and continues until Thursday 26 June at the Park Lane Galleries, The Silk Museum.

Hilary Fish wrote this about her exhibit for the June exhibition.


"Spurred on by the deadlines for the exhibitions of members’ new work, I completed the contemporary whitework sampler begun last November at Alston Hall. My two-and-a-half-day course there was a 60th birthday present from husband Graham. From my first experience of a residential embroidery course, I came away exhausted but delighted with the amount learned and the encouragement received. Tracy Franklin was our tutor and I sincerely recommend her relaxed but professional style of teaching. With widely varying levels of skill, each student worked at her own pace. Tracy ensured everyone received personal tuition as well as giving group demonstrations and everyone had practised each aspect of the sampler before going home. "

April 17 meeting
Speakers Joan and Alan Wilkinson had so much to show and tell at the April 17 meeting that they had to be stopped in full flow. Embroideries, textiles, pots, maps, slides and stories held the audience fascinated – but everything stops for tea!

Joan was born in Calcutta and went to school in Darjeeling. She studied weaving as her main subject at Craft College and chose “Aspects of Indian Textiles” as her thesis topic.

Much later, in retirement, she and Alan returned to India and travelled extensively. Wherever they went, they not only bought textiles and pottery but also visited factories and workshops and talked to people working there.

Joan explained that they visited three main areas associated with embroidery – Bangladesh; Kashmir; Rajasthan and Gujarat. Her advice to anyone wanting to do the same is to have patience. She and Alan always go for five or six weeks, as it takes several days to discover each place of interest and then to find transport, tickets and guides – but it is worth it!

Silk Bags

A selection of the silk evening bags made by members at the Jackie Cardy Workshop. Clockwise from top left, the bags were made by Anne Williams (purple), Ann Holmes (pink), Rita Russell (cerise and purple), Betty Taylor (maroon and cream), Carole Biggs (orange) and Hazel Weselby (turquoise). Betty started again from scratch when she got home as she was not satisfied with her first attempt!

February meeting - Golden Hinde

On Thursday 21st February 2008, Sue and her daughter Sarah brought their golden wares and works of art to show us how it is done! Golden Hinde is owned by Sarah and mum acts as chief advisor. Sue entertained us with her goldwork stories that spanned 30years regularly interrupted by Sarah! what a dynamic team they made.

Betty is getting some tips on a goldwork course she has enrolled on!

The mobile shop Sue and Sarah brought with them was far too tempting for most members and the kits sold very well. I personally bought a telescopic magnet for all those dropped pins and needles.We are looking forward to the Workshop that Sue will be leading in October.