SILK-n-THREADS

HANGING EXHIBITION AT QUARRY BANK MILL, STYAL

2009-07-12T19:23:00.006+01:00

Member of Silk-n-Threads after putting up the exhibition. left to right, Beryl, Rita, Margaret (me), Muriel, Annette, Maggie, Joy and Bill

The Three Shires Festival has started and we spent last Friday (10th July) putting up the exhibition at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire.

Bill and Joy hanging the last picture at the exhibition. It looks very impressive and members of the public completing the tour of the Mill can find it in the last room they visit. Well worth a day out to find out about the heritage of the local textile trades of Cheshire and surrounding areas as well as the social history connected to the Mill. The Three Shires Fetsival is in full swing and there are numerous things to do locally so for anybody interested in embroidery/textiles it is a must.

GETTING READY FOR STYAL MILL

2009-06-15T17:50:00.005+01:00

Here at Silk-n-Threads we are getting ready for our contribution to the Three Shires Festival next month. We have a 3 week exhibition in this interesting historic mill at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire.
There are 9 members exhibiting 49 pictures in total. Mainly silk paintings as well as some mixed media pieces.
We have chosen the title "A Touch of Silk". As well as paintings there will be smaller 3D artefacts to buy such as silk scarves.

THREE SHIRES FESTIVAL

2009-03-09T11:03:00.003Z

Silk-n-Threads are busy preparing for an exhibition at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire during July. As part of the Three Shires Festival www.textilefestival.com we have a three week exhibition at the Mill 11th -25th July, 11-5pm.
On Saturday the 11th July we also have a stall at the TEXFEST event at the Heritage Centre, Macclesfield 10-4pm when there will be a variety of our wares for sale and demonstrations. We will be just one of several textile based groups displaying their expertise.

Christmas Competition

2008-12-02T12:10:00.005Z

This year our Christmas Competition was to make a tree bauble using silk and in shades of pink. The basic shape was given in three sizes to achieve some common theme.
Members voted on their favourite and the 3 winners are shown holding their baubles. From left to right, Belinda (2nd), Margaret (1st) and Joy (3rd).
The winning exhibits are below, top left -1st, right-2nd and bottom 3rd.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MEMBERS AND OUR REGULAR VISITORS

Batik Painting Workshop with Barbara Meynell

2008-07-29T16:47:00.008+01:00

On Saturday the 26th July Silk-n-Threads had a workshop led by Barbara Meynell the batik artist. Barbara travelled from the Wirral to spend the day with us. The theme was batik landscapes and scarves. We all arrived with our stretched silk on frames and watched Barbara dem the first stages - the sky.
Here is Barbara on the right looking over some of the finished works of art!Below is Muriel's sky drying before she waxed it. In the back ground is Annette's alternative yellow sky!!We built up the layers as we progressed down the silk, layering the wax as we went. There was a lot of discussion about the process of light to dark and many cries of dispair when someone realised that they had or hadn't covered a vital area with wax. What fun!!!

Annette's vivid seascape turned rightside down ready to iron out the wax.

Belinda and Pauline concentrating.Muriel's second attempt, this time a flora one - fushias.

More floralsPlay time with abstract and colours
And finally at 3.30pm tired but satisfied as we show off our almost finished pieces. some members are wearing their finished scarves.

BATIK WORKSHOP

2008-06-04T09:49:00.003+01:00

This fine batik was the finished example completed by Denise on the Friday night batik workshop in April.

Denise Hopper led this workshop and these pics show the different stages that she took members through. Everybody worked on silk.

Members listening intently to Denise.Pauline and Denise at the end of the night.

Fabric Paper Play Afternoon

2008-04-08T13:18:00.004+01:00

Monday group had a play afternoon in March.

We came equipped with resources to make some fabric paper. Margaret Steeden led and after a short dem we all set off playing.
Joy and Muriel preparing the first stage, applying the collage pieces to the cotton fabric with diluted pva glue. Rita is at the same stage below
The following three pics show the final stage after tissue paper has been washed with a dilute colour.

There was a range of effects and now all that remains is for decisions to be made about what to do with the finished fabric. Most members seem to favour covering books. Watch this space for finished results.

Hanging at Tatton Park

2008-03-16T13:20:00.004Z

A busy morning on the 11th March 2008! Members were hanging paintings and Rita was arranging the two cabinets. Choosing Joy to clean the paintings was perhaps not the cleverest thing as she is the shortest member!

There is a wide range of items in the cabinets, this photo shows scarves, a mask, a tie, jewellery and silk box. The mask is a genuine Venetian blank bought at this years festival. All items are for sale and effectively show the skills of our members.

Works on show are both traditional and contemporary and utilise both silk paint and textiles.

Beryl's use of porcelain and glass on silk is such an unusual combination and is represntative of the talents of members.

Denise's interpretation of a Vegetable Patch is certainly the querky aspect of the exhibition.

At the end of the day we were very satisfied with the overall presentation and standard of work on display. If you are a memeber of the Natuional Trust do combine a visit to Tatton with an enjoyable viewing of our exhibiton in the Mansion House.

Exhibition is from the 15th March to the 1st June 2008, usual admission prices apply.

Visit Tatton Park's website for further details.

February Workshop

2008-03-16T13:09:00.004Z

February's workshop found members creating fabric boxes and stamping on fabric. Beryl Wood our chair has a wealth of experience in card making and related crafts so she was the ideal person to demonstrate to members.

Members made three different dimensions of boxes and decorated them in a variety of ways.

The cards at the back of this image were all stamps on silk backgrounds, an ideal way to use up all that silk from painting that didn't work!!!!!!!!!

TATTON PARK EXHIBITION LATEST

2008-02-22T17:00:00.005Z

TATTON PARK EXHIBITION 15th MARCH - 1st JUNE 2008

Members are busy putting the finishing touches to their paintings for the forthcoming exhibition in the Mansion House at Tatton Park between 15th March and 1st June 2008. The exhibition has been advertised in 'Stitch', 'Embroidery' & 'Workbox' and I have been receiving phone calls from interested individuals already which is very encouraging.

The Mansion House is open each day except Mondays from 1-5pm (last entry at 4pm) and for National Trust members there is no charge, for full details go to the Tatton website . The Park is managed by Cheshire County Council so there is a car parking charge of £4.50 for everyone.

We have a selection of silk paintings and mixed media textiles on display as well as 3D items that range from silk scarves, boxes, bags and jewellery. All the items can be purchased by special arrangement, details on site.

Taster pictures to follow.......................

EXHIBITON UPDATE

2007-11-14T12:17:00.000Z

MARPLE LIBRARY

9 members of Silk-n-Threads are also members of the International Guild of Silk Painters and between the 3-17th November are holding an exhibition at Marple Library, Stockport. The above picture is of the preview evening, in the background is the array of silk scarves for sale and in the cabinet 3D artefacts. One of our members, Chris Sims is on the left of picture.

Three members of Silk-n-Threads enjoying the evening and wine are left to right, Muriel Draper, Joy Wheatley and Jean Davies.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

2007-09-28T11:35:00.000+01:00

Here we are having our photo taken for the local newspaper to advertise our forthcoming exhibitions. From left to right back row, me, Margaret Steeden, Bill Hague, Pauline Pedley, Denise Hopper, Muriel Draper and seated left to right, Rita Stansfield and Joy Wheatley.

EXHIBITION DATES

2007-09-05T10:55:00.000+01:00

Confirmation of dates for our three forthcoming exhibitions. We are all very excited about these venues and painting madly. Further details from the venues or email me.

"SILK TO DYE FOR"

Marple library, Marple, Stockport
3-17th November 2007
Mon 10-8, Tues & Fri 9-8, Thurs 9-5, closed Wed & Sun. Free
Silk paintings, embroideries, 3D artefacts and cards all for sale.
This exhibition will be manned by members of the Cheshire Guild of Silk Painters a branch of the International Guild of Silk painters who will be demonstrating and available to talk about the works of art on show.

"A SPLASH OF SILK"

Bollington Arts Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Sundays only between 18th November - 30th December 2007, 2-4pm. Free
Silk paintings, embroideries, 3D artefacts and cards all for sale.

"YEAR OF THE GARDEN"

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
15th March - 1st June 2008 inclusive.
Silk paintings, embroideries, 3D artefacts and cards all for sale.
Exhibition is in the main Mansion. Normal admission prices apply.

MEMBERS GALLERY 2 - PAULINE TOWNSEND

2007-07-20T11:16:00.001+01:00

Hello there. I am a member of Silk-n-Threads and also of the International Guild of Silk Painters. As a long distance member of Cheshire Branch I do not get to many of the meetings but I always enjoy it when I do! To make up for this, I have organised exhibitions for Silk- n-Threads at Buxton, Derbyshire where I live.

I am also a member of Peak District Products, an organisation of professional artists & craftspeople based in the Peak District and I’m the Secretary of a co-operative of artists based in the High Peak area.

I have been a professional silk painter for 12 years. The traditional gutta resist technique is an essential part of my work. Gold, black and clear guttas are used to create different effects. With many years of practice, I have tried to perfect the art of the fine gutta line and have recently inscribed all the writing on the Cheshire Guild of Silk Painter’s banner. Best known for my vibrant paintings of flowers, I have now added landscapes and a new range of quirky seaside images involving ‘Big Bird’ (see below).

There is a continuing debate in silk painting circles about whether to use silk paints (heat fix) or dyes (steam fix). I feel that it’s down to the individual and I think it depends whether you are painting a picture to be framed or painting something to wear like a scarf. Steam fix dyes allow the silk to remain soft and so this is nicer to wear. But as my paintings are framed, this isn’t an issue for me. I have always used iron fix paints – Pebeo Setasilk is my favourite - as they suit my way of working. The range of ready made colours is excellent, but they also mix well and are non-toxic - so great to use with children. They take salt well and if you use a hairdryer in your work, they are usually fixed by the end of the painting with no need to iron. I also use heat fix in my workshops as steaming is not an option within the time frame available. I recommend trying both techniques for yourself and then seeing what best suits your way of working.

I take part in shows & exhibitions throughout the area and also sell limited edition prints & greeting cards through the online shop on my website. Details of my workshops and events can also be found on the website: www.silkpainter.co.uk email: pauline@silkpainter.co.uk

SOME OF MY RECENT WORK
Big Bird on a Beach Hut & Big Bird on a Deck Chair

These two paintings are the first in a series of a quirky new range based on the idea of ‘Big Bird’. Inspired by beach huts seen on holiday in Southwold, Suffolk, I made careful drawings and used black gutta to outline the design. Big Bird was in fact a mistake; I added him freehand to the Beach Hut for interest but made him too big! These are this year’s best selling designs.

Tulip Field

I ran a workshop based on a drawing of a field of tulips. Tulips are a nice easy shape for beginners and while the design is simple, it worked really well with these colours and the gold gutta. It’s my favourite silk painting and I wouldn’t part with it.

Anemones

My most recent flower painting. I received this bunch of Anemones for my Wedding Anniversary and thought the colours were absolutely stunning. Often I have to photograph flowers as they die or wilt before I get chance to paint them. But with these I had time and was able to draw the design directly from the flowers. I used black gutta and created the depth of colour with quite a few layers of silk paint. I completed the painting with a ‘sunburst effect’ background, produced by painting wet on wet.

Jungle
I love painting in this cartoon style. It’s really a design for a child’s room inspired by a painting session I had with some small children who were asked to paint their favourite animal. I used black gutta and added a stripy animal border for interest.

Cow Parsley

A very simple painting produced without a detailed drawing for once. With the branch of cow parsley in front of me and using clear gutta, I drew the main stem with three smaller stems and then just dabbed dots of gutta at random for the flower heads. When it was dry I painted over the whole design and scattered table salt across it. Then I washed out the clear gutta.

Foxglove

Each year I exhibit at a Cheshire Garden Festival. It’s a great source of inspiration for me and I go armed with my digital camera looking for my next silk painting subject. I was pleased to find these foxgloves and took loads of images from every angle to paint back in my studio. I really enjoyed painting this flower. I used gold gutta to outline and built up the inside patterns of the flowers with layers of paint and clear gutta.

JUNE WORKSHOP - INDIGO DYEING WITH SHIBORI

2007-07-03T10:08:00.000+01:00

Our June workshop was awaited by many with great excitement. Ruth Brown of Stone Creek Silk arrived despite the wet weather over in Yorkshire to demonstrate indigo dyeing with shibori techniques. Above is one of Ruth's striking indigo pieces. Click on Ruth's website above to see more of her work.

We made up a vat of indigo dye and then proceeded to prepare our fabrics, silk and cotton, by sewing, tieing and clamping. This photo shows a piece of cotton being prepared with strong synthetic thread.

Maggie and Muriel with their hands in the indigo vat. The fabric had to be held under the surface for 5 minutes. We had to be careful not to disturb the surface which would have added oxygen to the vat thereby reducing the dyeing qualities of the dye.
Note the green tinge of the fabric this is the colour the fabric is when first removed from the vat. Only when it is oxygenated in the air does it turn to blue.

Out to dry, in the afternoon we tried a range of larger samples, amongst them scarves that were clamped and wrapped around poles shibori style.

A hand stitched row of leaves although some of the group thought that they would make good fish. Belinda who completed them was very pleased with the result.

Annette clamped this scarf to get this striking effect.

This is a napkin that Denise sewed in a spiral resulting in this effective end result.

Maggie used a predyed scarf that she folded into a cone before knotting it several times.
Joy tied this chiffon scarf and this delicate pattern was achieved.

A bold pattern achieved by Pauline by tieing large marbles with string.

Beryl's butterfly was achieved by sewing the shape on to cotton, she intends highlighting the features with embroidery.

After rinsing and ironing the special effects achieved by indigo dyeing is obvious. The lack of flat colour, that is present with other dyeing methods, is the attraction of this method.This was a piece of silk satin and again the lack of flat colour creates a unique effect.

MEMBERS GALLERY 1 - DENISE HOPPER

2007-06-12T15:11:00.000+01:00

Denise is the Treasurer of Silk-n-Threads and an active member sharing her expertise by regularly leading members' workshops.
This photograph was taken at the 2005 Harrogate exhibition when she was manning the stall of the Guild of Silk Painters.

Denise qualified as a teacher of Art and Design in 1967 at Bingley College, Leeds University. After teaching in London she became Head of Art and Design in a large comprehensive school in the Midlands. In 1989 she moved to Stockport and developed textile design in the Art Department at Marple Hall School.
She now concentrates on silk painting using dyes and threads to produce evening bags, scarves, ties, cushions and mirror frames, as well as pictures. Her work has been influenced by travels in Asia, especially Indonesia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Previous exhibitions of her work have been held at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal; Stockport Hat Museum; Staircase House in Stockport; Bramall Hall; Buxton Visitors Centre, Bollington Art Centre and Stockport Art Gallery. Denise is an active member of the International Guild of Silk Painters and Silk-n-Threads.
Her most recent work has been a collection of individually designed textile necklaces.

EXAMPLES OF DENISE'S SILK PAINTINGS

Denise uses steam fix dyes for her paintings as she believes they give the most vibrant effects. She does not use gutta (resist) in her paintings, instead using the movement and properties of the dye to create the effects.

Remember to click on each picture to enlarge and appreciate fully the vibrancy and effect.

EXAMPLES OF DENISE'S SILK SCARVES.

All of the scarves below are 100% silk, and have been dyed using steam fix dyes as they give the most vibrant colour.

Denise sells her scarves through various local outlets such as the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Remember to click on each picture to appreciate the vibrant colours and effects that silk painting can achieve.

The four modelled scarves have been folded and then clamped before being dipped in dye, resulting in their patterned effect.

These two scarves have been folded and wrapped around a pole shibori style resulting in these stunning patterns.

The remaining scarves have been stretched on a frame and then the design painted on. Salt has been added before the dye dries creating the effect of movement.

SUE LANCASTER TALK

2007-05-02T17:53:00.000+01:00

On Friday 27th April 2007 Sue Lancaster a textile artist from Sheffield gave the group an inspiring talk about her design process and how she utilises this to produce her range of fabric pictures that are mainly machine embroidered. She also had with her an impressive range of handbags, hats, books and jewellery that she has made from Vilene! Sue shared with us her enthusiasm for her work and some of her trade secrets.

The two pictures below show the full range of goodies that Sue brought with her. the vibrant colours and simple patterns were so effective.

TEXTILE POSTCARD CHALLENGE

2007-04-25T14:28:00.000+01:00

During the month of April members of the Monday Club have being involved in a textile postcard challenge. Each finished postcard has been created by three members. Stage one was to produce a 6x4 inch base for the postcard. Most of us already had samples of techniques tried out at workshops and we ended up with a wide range of media from marbling, painted bondaweb and silk paintings to applique. The next stage was to pass this first stage on and receive a second that you had to alter, embroider or embellish. We were able to utilise all the techniques that we have experienced at workshops!!!!!!!!!! When this was completed we then passed the postcards on again for their final touches and finishing off.

top- string shadows on silk base, squared off lines in gutta, diagonal lines in appliglue and angelina applique, finished off with random free machine embroidery.

bottom - painted bondaweb base, painted black skeleton flower heads finished off with wool rovings flower heads, applique leaves and dragonfly motifs.

The first stages above are from left to right

Part of a silk painting that failed

Wet in wet silk painting

Marbling on paper

The same three bases after completion.

Lace and painted 'snowdrops' have been added. Applique leaves at the base

Dried flowers, couching, gold paint and embroidery complete this floral interpretation

Machine embroidery, angelina and organza have been embellished with beads and appliglue

Marbled silk crepe

Painted bondaweb on silk satin

Part of silk painting, spot the face!

A commercial stamp using gold ink. (anyone know what it means?) finished off with black beads

Fabric applique at base with silk and metallic shapes and beads to represent a tall summer flower

Knitted metal hair, black outlined features and embroidery around the edge finish off this striking face.

As you can see the results surpassed our initial expectations. The interpretation of each base varied dramatically and we were impressed that so many techniques had been applied.

The experience of the challenge has encouraged us to have another go but later in the year

CHESHIRE BANNER by GUILD MEMBERS

2007-04-13T10:54:00.000+01:00

7 of our members are also members of the Guild of Silk Painters and this is the banner they completed in 2005 for the Guild's biannual festival in St Albans. All the local groups of the Guild completed a banner that represented their county. So our starting point was to brainstorm everything that Cheshire brought to mind. The name on our banner is in the style of the American HOLLYWOOD sign as the name did orginate from emigrants from an area of Stockport called Hollywood. The green base is to represent the flat Cheshire plains and finally the hats represent the main industry of Stockport in the 19th century - hat making. This gave each member the opportunity to design and make a hat for the banner.

The banner was made from silk satin and this photograph shows Pauline Townsend , Maggie Britten and Rita Stansfield (left to right) coping with the large frame.

The text on the banner was a range of saying about hats. The saying were firstly written with a fading pen and then Pauline used a dark grey gutta with a fine nib.

Denise Hopper at work with the hair dryer on a more detailed part of the banner. This photograph shows the preliminary layout of the hats before they were attached with bondaweb.

The Cheshire Cat sitting pretty on the CHESHIRE name.

This top hat was designed and painted by Pauline Townsend. The others were by Annette Anderson - the range of small black bowlers, Denise Hopper - purple wide brimmed hat, Rita Stansfield - pale blue bonnet, Belinda Rodway - the CHESHIRE name and the hemming of the banner.

Margaret Steeden - brown hat with veil,

Maggie Britten - the red hat with feather

After the festival the banner was long term display in the Hat Works Museum, Stockport.

NUNO FELT WORKSHOP

2007-04-02T11:35:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 31st March 2007 we had a day's workshop on Nuno Felt lead by one of our members Pauline Coddington. Pauline is a felt maker and textile artist based in Hawk Green, Marple, Cheshire. Her company Hawk Green Felts offers a range of distinctively styled bags and greeting cards and she will undertake commissioned pieces as requested, including hangings, furnishings and designer fabrics.
'Nuno' is the Japanese word for woven cloth and therefore 'Nuno Felt' is a combination of felt with woven cloth. It is mainly used for producing lightweight fabrics with good draping quality, suitable for clothing.

The workshop was preceeded by a demonstration on the Friday evening when Pauline (above picture) explained the principles behind nuno felting and we were able to handle numerous samples of her work that utilised this process.
On the Saturday we were ready and set up by 10am and by 11am we were all rolling away. Most of us chose to make a sandwich grid design as our first sample. We sandwiched wool and other fibres such as silk tops, prefelt, lace and Angelina between two pieces of silk chiffon.

Click on picture to see the felt in detail.

The design above is a scarf that is at the rolling stage the ends of the grid pattern are easily seen around the rectangle as strands of wool. The trapped coloured wool and fibres are randomly placed inside the grid of naturally coloured wool which in turn are sandwiched between two layers of silk chiffon. The rolling and soaping of the fabric causes the wool fibres to shrink and push through the chiffon resulting in a dense wrinkled fabric.

Click on picture to see the felt in detail.

These two scarves have as the base a predyed blue silk chiffon scarf with strips of prefelt laid along the edges The random wool and fibres laid in the centre will eventually be felted through the chiffon.
Click on picture to see the felt in detail.

Most of these samples are not yet at the final stage. They still require to be put into hot water and thrown so as to complete the felting process.

Exhausted but happy! Members of Silk-n-Threads at 3.30pm who participated on the workshop. The concensus was that nuno felting was a young persons craft unless you are prepared to suffer aching backs and upper arms. Suppose it is more enjoyable than the gym!

THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES WERE COMPLETED THE NEXT DAY. The amount of shrinkage can be seen if you compare the size of the pieces as seen on the picture above of the group results. These three pieces are on the floor to the right of the picture.

Dyed silk chiffon was the base for the Fushia and Ocean pieces, on to which wool rovings and silk tops were laid. They both could be the basic for an embroidery. Watch this space.Fushia

Ocean

Two layers of white silk chiffon trapping white and green wool rovings that formed a grid, you can see the ends of the rovings at each side of the square. In between the grid spaces green and pink wool and silk was placed. If you click on the picture you can clearly see the crinkling of the chiffon and the effect achieved when the wool has shrunk and come through the chiffon.

BREAKING NEWS - TATTON EXHIBITION SECURED FOR 2008

2007-04-01T11:54:00.000+01:00

We have just had confirmation that Silk-n-Threads have been invited to hold a two month exhibition at Tatton Park, Cheshire from the end of March to the end of May 2008 (Exact dates to follow). This prestigious venue will allow the group to display to a wider audience the beauty of silk painting. The theme for the exhibition is "The Year of the Garden".
Our blog will regularly update the progress of our preparation for this event.