Embroiderers' Guild - the UK's leading crafts association
sharing opportunities for discovery and creativity
Apt 41 Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU
T: 020 8943 1229 - F: 020 8977 9882 - E: administrator@embroiderersguild.com
Embroiderers' Guild - the UK's leading crafts association
sharing opportunities for discovery and creativity
Apt 41 Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU
T: 020 8943 1229 - F: 020 8977 9882 - E: administrator@embroiderersguild.com
*Chat from the Chair*
How quickly time passes, it does not seem more than a few days since I was writing my last Chat but that was almost two months ago. In my case, Tempus certainly Fugits at a faster pace as the years increase. Does anyone else have the same problem?
A big thank you to all who have made slips for the Branch Banner. They are wonderful, so many different subjects and techniques, which show the great diversity of talent and skill we have in the Branch. These are being backed ready for making up. Bronwyn has photographed them and typed up your notes to make a record of your work and the images will be used to produce design layouts. The finished Banner will be a credit to you all.
We continue with our planning for the Regional Festival of Stitch in May, which promises to be a fantastic day. This event is a great showcase for the Branch and the Guild, let us work together to make it a day that all our visitors will remember. The theme for the Coates Sponsored Competition is "Vessels", it would be nice to see some entries from the Branch.
Many thanks for your generous donations of materials and threads for the Textile Tombola and thank you to those making up the prizes. By the time you have finished sorting, cutting and filling the packets we will have a large number of inspirational prizes.
Please do not forget the rest of our programme, we still have much to interest and inspire you, in July we have the Mildred Higgins Memorial Day with Lis Mann. The theme for the Mildred Higgins Award is "A Luxury Pin Cushion for the Woman who has everything". So now that Banner slips are finished and your "Vessels" almost completed you should have time to produce that prize winning Pin Cushion!
Happy Stitching,
Marie
*The Quaker Tapestry Official Opening*
I was privileged to receive an invitation to represent the Branch at the Official Opening of the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition at Southwell Minster on 30th January. An audience of around one hundred, representing, the Minster, civic, educational and other bodies gathered in the Quire of the Minster to hear a welcome by the Dean of Southwell, followed by presentations by Bridget Guest Manager of the Quaker Tapestry Centre at Kendal and Ann Wood from the local Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The guest speaker was then introduced. Gillian Clarke, is a quilter and patchworker and the wife of Tory MP Kenneth Clarke, who accompanied his wife to the opening. Mrs Clarke spoke of her delight at being asked to open the exhibition, having seen some of the panels many years ago at the Royal Festival Hall. She expressed her admiration for the work in producing the embroidered panels and indicated some of her favourites, especially the ones about Elizabeth Fry. She also said that she had to mention the railway panel in particular as her husband, who was sitting in the audience, was a 'steam railway buff'. After her short speech Mrs Clarke was invited to cut a ribbon across the entrance to the exhibition in the Nave.
The exhibition comprises 39 of the 77 panels, which make up the Quaker Tapestry. They are very well displayed and the workmanship is of an exceptional standard. It is hard to image that over the years since the project was first mooted in 1981, some 4000 people in over 15 countries have contributed to the work. In addition to the panels there is a video about them, with wireless headsets and audio guides are available to hire. A corner is devoted to stitching and from time to time there will be someone demonstrating the stitches used in the panels as well as a very clear computer presentation of them. The Quaker Tapestry is a Charity and whilst entry to the Exhibition is free, income is important to the project so there is a small 'shop' selling memorabilia, books, cards and kits to help raise funds to support the continuing exhibition of the Tapestry.
This was a memorable afternoon and an exhibition well worth a second visit.
Marie Thompson
*Kathleen Laurel Sage Workshop*
Following the inspirational talk given by Kathleen Laurel Sage at the January meeting we were looking forward with anticipation to the workshop the following day. Armed with our transparent flexible plastic we were encouraged to 'go with the flow' to create a number of samples using Kathleen's techniques. We printed using foam stamps with acrylic paints on to the plastic; trapped sheer organza, sequins and threads between the two sheets and then experimented by using machine embroidery to develop the sample further. Kathleen demonstrated a range of techniques using different products that could be use on the plastics. We then experimented with using laminating pouches in the same way as the plastic sheet but then cutting out sections with the soldering iron. Lastly a few of us had a go at using 'Shrink Plastic' which can be used to create beads or buttons to complement the plastic work. We all had an excellent day and learned another creative technique to help develop our own style of embroidery.
Bronwyn Fleming
*Textiles in Focus Cottenham Village College Cambridge February 19th to 22nd 2009*
Pauline Verrinder (fibrefusion) organises this event and Sleaford Embroiderers, a group which has a number of this guild?s members, were pleased to be invited to exhibit this year. It was a very busy and interesting experience and most gratifying to receive so many positive and admiring comments. As I was a steward I was pleased to see a number of familiar faces as visitors, but being 'on site' also allowed me time to go back and look at some really great pieces- not always what I would want to try but I could appreciate the work done. Sadly I missed the lecture but I am told it was inspiring and to Mary Sleigh's usual high standard. Art van Go, Mace & Nairn, Just Threads, Winifred Cottage were among the retail stalls and African fabrics and goods, unusual buttons, wires frames and handles were just some of the goodies on offer. There was also a nice range of workshops available where all the requirements were supplied; I tried out one using Paverpol- a type of stiffener-which I enjoyed but also liked the look of the felt flowers next door and I don't 'do' felt. I would recommend this show to members as at this time of year there is little available to get the sewing juices flowing and it is a great retail opportunity for meeting like- minded people and useful suppliers.
Roz Withers
*The Nicholson Group*
We are a group of embroiderers mentored and inspired by Anthea Godfrey, meeting about five times a year to encourage each other and share ideas. We work independently on a shared project not a series of tutored workshops. We are looking for new members if you are interested in joining us contact Cathy Young for more details. See our work at Regional Day.
*Line Dancing*
As you will remember some time ago a number of hand dyed fabrics were handed out with the idea that they would be passed from member to member to add stitching to. These would be displayed at regional day and then given as leaving or retiring or 'big' birthday presents. 16 pieces of fabric were started, 4 have been finished, and do you have one? Please return them so that they can be passed on and completed.
*East Midland Region Diary Dates*
Kickstart programme 2008/2009 'Canals' Exhibition at Regional Day & at The Catmose Gallery Preview 14/5/09 to 6/6/09
Study for Kickstart 2009/ 2010 ? ?Graffiti?
Summer School at Bishop Grosseteste College Lincoln 17-19/7/09 'Be Spontaneous with cloth, paper, stitch and canvas'. Course 1: 'Listen to the Cloth' with Jenny Bullen. Course 2: 'Paper, Stitch and Canvas' with Jill Carter.
Course 3: 'Celebrating Spontaneity' with Gwen Hedley.
*Local Exhibitions*
The Living Threads Group, Local Heritage - inspirations in fabric and thread 10th -18th April 2009 at Trent College, Long Eaton. A suggestion has been made that we might try to organize a trip to this exhibition and combine it with a visit to the Beetroot Tree. If you are interested please could you let Carolyn Merry know, if this is not popular we could try to co-ordinate sharing lifts if some members intend to visit the exhibition themselves.
Material Evidence, New work by Laura McCafferty, Clare Lane & 2008 Graduates. Brindley Arts Centre, Runcorn 21st February to 11th April 2009
Sampling, featuring samplers from the EG & Nottingham Museums as well as newly commissioned work. Nottingham Castle Museum 28th February to 26th April 2009.
An Embroiderers Eye, Macclesfield Silk Museum April 11-July 4 2009
*Websites of Interest*
http://artvango.blogspot.com and www.textilesinfocus.com