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!!!!

OCTOBER 2014 Lorna Knight

What a delight this re scheduled talk turned out to be. Dorothy our programme secretary pulled out all the stops with only a week to find a new speaker after the speaker for October had to pull out at the last minute. 

Lorna enthralled us with her life journey within the textile world from a degree followed by teaching in a middle school to working for Terry Fox and finally taking the big step to opening her Sewing Academy. 

She shared some of the secrets of the haute couture world and with a full range of examples gave us tips galore on how to improve our sewing results so that home made doesn't look home made.

Lorna also teaches a full range of workshops at Bambers Eccles

This is the tweed jacket that Lorna was whisked over to the States to make a video for Craftsy, the online workshop website.  It was extremely light as it only had two layers. The tweed right side and the silk lining, these were then quilted together. 

Lorna brought along some of the books that she has had published and she explained the process involved in getting a book published from the initial concept to the final layout. 

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.

JANUARY MEETING

Just a quick reminder to members that on the 16th January 2014 as well as Carole's talk about her most recent trip down the Danube it is the name badge competition. So make sure you get stitching and produce a stunning badge. Members who produced one for the last competition can still submit that one if they don't want to create a new one.

The latest programme is now included in the blog for easy reference if you can't put your hands on your paper copy.

October Guest - Liz Almond - Whitework

On the 17th October we were delighted to welcome back Liz Almond to our group. This time Liz was to share her passion for Whitework instead of Blackwork.
She was ably assisted by her husband who was model, display assistant and shop keeper.

Liz entertained us, amazed us with her skill and educated us as to short cuts and the use of 'modern' alternatives that she employs in her work.


The first two images show the centres of small quilts that Liz has made using a limited amount of colour. She regularly uses crochet cotton for this backstitch work in her quilting.

This knotted stitch or 'Liz's stitch' is a variant of Palestrina stitch which gives a raised relief to your work.

The lid of this box utilises simple straight stitch cleverly worked with beads to produce a floral effect.

The sales table where Liz had on sale fabrics, threads and kits which members eagerly bought.

 

Liz is a big advocate of placing monograms in the centre of fabric and cloth to personalise items. She regularly bids on old linen on eBay to which she firstly washes in the washing machine with Bold and then embroiderers additional motifs. She admitted that one of the best fabrics she  uses is Marks and Spencer's polycotton. She buys sheets and cuts them up. We were also let into her methods of fabric marking and ways of tackling issues such as project management and she gave me some personal advice on ways of dealing with arthritis and embroidery.

 

Liz's website is full of free patterns, tips and advice and well worth a visit.

 

Pinterest is also a site that Liz recommended.  It is an internet site that allows you to 'pin' any image you find on the internet to your own 'pinboard', allowing you to save images in one place. You can also see what other people are saving and 'follow' them if you choose. Useful if you have the same interests. I warn you now that it can become very addictive.

 

ADVANCE WARNING

The next meeting will include a craft table for members to bring along and sell their goods. In good time for Christmas. Let Catherine Leighton know in advance what you intend bringing, label and price up your goods.

Louise Gardiner

Following our meeting yesterday and the discussion about Louise Gardiner and her involvement in the joint challenge by Kettle Chips and Kirstie Allsopp I am posting a link to the Youtube video showing Lou creating her Kettle Chips piece

Click here to see the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGLL1NJ6OIY&utm_source=Full+Mailing+List+March+2013&utm_campaign=cf9a510df8-March_Newsletter3_18_2013&utm_medium=email

Louise website is also worth a visit http://www.lougardiner.co.uk/index.html


This is the link to the Kettle Chips website for those interested in entering. http://www.kettlefoods.co.uk/latest-news/kirsties-craft?utm_source=Full+Mailing+List+March+2013&utm_campaign=cf9a510df8-March_Newsletter3_18_2013&utm_medium=email

Happy Stitching

Margaret