Lincolnshire Branch: Newsletter December 2009

Chat from the Chair
This is my first 'Newsletter chat', and coming as it does at the darkest time of the year, I thought it would be good to have something amusing and light-hearted to help put us in the mood for our festive Christmas meeting. So, here are thirteen reasons for buying fabric and threads!
1. It insulates the cupboard where it is kept.
2. It helps to keep the economy going.
3. It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
4. Because it's on sale.
5. A disease may kill most of the mulberry trees - so no more silk for the next ten years.
6. I'm taking part in a fabric-collecting contest.
7. I don't have to cook it, feed it, change it, wipe its nose or walk it.
8. I need extra weight in the boot of the car for traction on snowy, icy roads. You never know when the weather will change ? even in a heat wave.
9. It's good for protecting unoccupied surfaces, such as, the dining room table.
10. Relief from the stress of dealing with the Fabrics Control Officer (husband).
11. It's not immoral, illegal or fattening.
12. I need it!
13. Because I'm worth it!
Merry Christmas and a Happy Sewing Year!
Dee.

TAP INTO TALENT!
Following the great success of the talk and mini-workshop on silk shading with Jane Drummond we would like to hold similar activities in the future. The general feeling was that skills were both shared and learnt, and members were able to make a small sample and chat to friends at the same time, making it a very enjoyable and sociable activity. We know that we have a wealth of talent in our branch and that you have lots of ideas, so share your skills and ideas with us! The committee is very happy to give you any support you may need to deliver your activity.
Please give your suggestions to Carolyn Merry or any member of the committee.

Making a creative keepsake box Workshop
The workshop with Embroiderers Guild scholar Linda Marie Young was fascinating, especially listening to her talk about her Textile course at De Montford University and the inspirations behind her beautiful keepsake boxes. She uses a template for the box she is going to make and then adds machine embroidery depicting images of flowers often used in herbal remedies. We all had a chance to make our own box from an A4 template which we then decorated using machine embroidery and embellishments cut with a heat tool. The tricky bit was making sure it all went together once the stitching was complete, but a number of us actually had a finished piece at the end of a very enjoyable day. Bronwyn Fleming

Christine Benson - Elizabethan Element Workshop.
Having had an interesting and thought-provoking talk on Saturday we were all looking forward to the workshop on Sunday with Christine Benson. It proved to be one of the highlights of this year. After a slightly late start caused by a collective of Chiropodists setting up their annual conference in the wrong room we were lucky enough to move into a better room for stitching as the light was brighter. We started the workshop by layering up silk tops and other fibres onto a base fabric. This was then covered with a silk hanky and then chiffon to enable us to stitch into it. Stitch and other embellishments such as silk carrier rods were then added, this could be done either by Machine or by hand. We were aware at the start that we wouldn't finish our piece on the day but Christine was very generous with her ideas and time, and everyone came away with ideas on how to progress them further. Christine encourages a thoughtful approach to work and emphasises that simple whether stitches used or layout does not mean easy and quick. Hopefully everyone will have brought a finished piece to show the December meeting.
Di McCatty

GRAFFITI WORK SHOP
16th January 2010 10am until 4 pm in the Large Hall at the Lincoln Bailgate Church Newport LN1 3AR a GRAFFITI DAY with Artist Pete Barber.......................
See Norma Bean for more details

Richard Box at Market Harborough
On Friday January 29th we have the lovely Richard Box coming to give a talk about his creations with collage & stitch. Tickets will be £5 and can be obtained (or reserved to collect on the door) from me by email maidcroft.house@tesco.net or 01536 771687. Numbers will be limited due to the regulations at the venue.
We are also delighted that Richard is staying for the weekend! There is a 2 day workshop on collage and stitch on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January - price £50 - an absolute bargain! Numbers are limited obviously - but if your members would like to contact me I can let them know how the list stands.
Alyssa Robinson - Chair, Market Harborough Branch

Exhibition Reviews
The Deepings Textile Group, Pippin's Patchwork and Glazed Expression, held an exhibition in St. Firmin's Church at Thurlby in October where there was a variety of work on display. There were some beautiful patchwork pieces, small and large, much of it for sale. The glass pieces were as interesting as the clever title of the group and featured trees and flowers in a variety of objects.
There was a good quantity of embroidery on view. One piece which I found intriguing was a small strip sampler, with stitches worked like random notes just as they would have been on the original strip sampler. It was worked on calico and the names of the stitches had been written by hand with a pen. This had been attached to a beautifully embroidered cover so that the sampler could be rolled up. An interesting piece, I thought. The rest of the embroideries were exquisite. I talked to the two stewards, who were very welcoming and one of whom knew our Branch, having given us a talk years ago. We talked about the Bonnet Project and they are looking forward to seeing Norma plus bonnets at their AGM next September. If you are ever in that neck of the woods and the Church happens to be open, it is well worth a visit to see the altar frontal which is a depiction of an ancient piece of stonework which used to be on the roof of the church and which is now high up inside at the back of the Church.
The following weekend I visited St. Luke's Church at North Kyme to see an exhibition by the Stitch in Kyme Quilting and Craft Group's quilts and what a variety! Large and small, traditional and modern ? including several in the Amish idiom with written information about the Amish. There was a stunning whole-cloth quilt worked by a lady who came from Durham so she had used the traditional patterns from that area to produce a real heirloom. Conversely there was quilt made from old jeans where the joins were hidden by lines of thick 'fluff' made (I think) by fraying the cut edges of the fabric. There was hardly a space in the Church which was not covered by a quilt a huge output!
Barbara Adams

Lustre 2009
Our recent workshop with Linda Marie Young gave her a chance to inform us about a number of development opportunities with which she is involved. One of these was an exhibition at Nottingham University?s Lakeside centre on the weekend of 7/8th November 2009. Linda described it as a high quality craft selling exhibition. I was able to go and found it really inspiring and a good source of possible Christmas presents??. well I got one! I am writing about it now to urge you to look out for it next autumn.
If you are interested take a look at the website which currently shows work displayed this year, www.lakesidearts.org.uk. The range of crafts included glassmaking; ceramics; wood working: leather goods: jewellery: felt and other textile related items. It was truly inspirational with a number of regional graduates and craftspeople from further afield. The venue is pleasant and easily accessible and not far from the Queen's Drive Park & Ride if you want to combine a visit with a city centre trip.
Carolyn Merry

Peggy Tacey Japanese Embroidery Exhibition
An amazing acheivement in ten years mastering the art of Japanese embroidery by Peggy Tacey .....40 pieces were on display at the 2 day Exhibition in Fulbeck nr Grantham 3rd and 4th 0ctober, from Traditional work to more creative pieces - flowers, animals and birds. Unique in skill and style and wonderful stitching! Peggy is planning a trip in Spring next year to Japan to stitch with a Master Teacher Mr Shuji Tamura and his daughter Kazumi ......... to renew and gain more skills in the art of this specialised work. Norma Bean

Northampton Branch Exhibition - Sumptuous Stitches.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery will be showcasing an exhibition of work by members of the Northamptonshire Branch of the Embroiderers Guild. The exhibition opens on 12 December and runs until 17 January.

The Hub Out of the Ordinary: Spectacular Craft
A V&A and Crafts Council touring exhibition featuring seven international artists who place meticulous craftsmanship at the heart of their work to breath-taking and awe-inspiring results.
21st November to the 10th January 2010 The Hub Sleaford. www.thehubcentre.info

Future Events 2010
Linda Marie Young has work on display at The Collection, Lincoln February until April 2010
Textiles in Focus takes place at Cottenham north of Cambridge 19th-21st February. This is an annual event already known to some members, which provides an opportunity for specialist shopping: a range of short workshops and a formal lecture. More information will be shared when available.

East Midland Region Summer School July 16-18th 2010
Bishop Grosseteste College Lincoln. Tutors will be Ruth Issett, Jeanette Appleton, Libby Smith and Frances Pickering. Please see Norma Bean for further details.
Competitions

Regional Day hosted by Kettering branch'10' celebrating 10 years of the Kettering Branch, choose your own personal interpretation of 10.
Embroiderers Guild Competition Shelter look out for more information on our branch notice board, closing date 7-02-10
Kick Start the region's development programme for all keen embroiderers the theme for 2009/10 is Graffiti. See the branch notice board for more details.
Mildred Higgins Day Competition Full of Eastern Promise.

2010 Programme
January 9th 2010 Time to try new products.
February 13th Jill Flower
March 13th Isobel Hall
April 17th Barbara Woods and Jane Drummond ?Cathedral Inspirations?.
May 8th East Midlands Regional Day hosted by Kettering Branch
May 15th Janet Minty Rag Rugs for floor and wall hangings
June 12th Peggy Fearne talk followed by mini-workshop.
July 10th Mildred Higgins Day Lecture by Ruth Smith ?Miao Embroideries? and mini-workshop.
July 11th Ruth Smith - Folded Secrets.

Workshops
February 14th 2010 Workshop with Jill Flower ?Stitched Art with recycled papers? making a corsage.
March 14th Workshop with Isobel Hall Embroidered Books
July 11th Ruth Smith ? Folded Secrets
Please see Di McCatty if you are interested in either of these workshops.

From the Editor
Please let us know if you have changed your home or email address.
If you have any comments you would like to make or you would like to contribute in any way to the newsletter please contact Bronwyn Fleming at bronwyn@1605.net or by snail-mail to 14 Vicarage Lane, Scopwick, Lincoln LN4 3NT.