Silk Town Stitchers2

JUNE MEETING - MARGO SINGER

2009-07-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

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.

APRIL MEETING DIANNE BATES - BABES IN BEADS

2009-05-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

Diane Bates – what a character! Wearing her signature black hat and exhibiting her ‘Babes in Beads’ installations, she entertained our April meeting with stories of her childhood and education.

Then she described how her corsets, costumes and panels are created in intricate 3-dimensional machine embroidery, encrusted with beads and sequins. Often Diane incorporates unlikely materials such as plastic snowflakes and combines them with quality Madeira threads to create her special effects.

None of Diane’s work is ever sold and she does not take commissions as she believes they would be too restricting. Much of her inspiration comes from the natural world and she stressed the importance of revisiting old artwork and embroidery to combine previous ideas with new techniques.

At the website www.175heroes.org.uk/diane_bates.html there is information about Diane’s 34-year career in teaching at Bradford School of Art, her qualifications gained at Goldsmith College and Birmingham and her international exhibitions.

Some of Diane’s exquisite drawings and embroidery samples

Photos and examples from Diane’s costume creations

February Meeting

2009-02-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

Woven Textures

Weaver Stacey Harvey-Brown brought her ‘Textural Canvas’ to our February meeting. Heaping samples of wool, silk, cotton and synthetic weavings onto her demonstration table, she enthusiastically talked us through her experiments.

Texture and surface pattern are created using special weaving techniques, the natural properties of yarns, plus the services of a washing machine and tumble dryer or in other words differential shrinkage! Stacey then dyes and paints some of her fabrics to create stunning landscape pictures and seascapes. On her website (http://www.theloomroom.co.uk/) she explains that she combines multi-shaft or jacquard weaving, wrapping, dyeing, painting and surface embellishments.

The rich colours and textures of the fabrics are amazing.

Stacey uses the natural colours and textures of yarns as well as dyes to achieve stunning effects.

As soon as Stacey finished speaking, members crowded round to touch and feel the fabric samples.

January Meeting

2009-02-20T06:25:00.000-08:00

Travels in Turkey

Our speaker at the January meeting was branch member Carole Biggs, whose skilled photography and entertaining talks have taken us to many exotic places over the years. Carole’s ‘Travels in Turkey’ took her on a round trip starting and ending in Istanbul that was packed with history and interest. Her slides showed us mosques, minarets, bazaars and palaces, a vast salt lake, volcanic tuff, 9th Century rock churches and dwellings, Roman remains and temples. Such inspiration for embroideries and textiles!

Needless to say, Carole couldn’t resist bringing home some goodies. They included pictures, a length of silk, leather bags, onyx beads, a pendant, hats made from hand-made felt and a minutely embroidered boy’s cap.

Carole modelling a Turkish stole and pendant.

Forthcoming textile events

Richard de Peyer, director of The Silk Museum, Macclesfield, attended our January meeting to bring us up-to-date with textile events in the town and surrounding areas:

- The Three Shires Textile Festival – backed by tourist organisations and councils across Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire – promises a whole range of textile-related events between 4 and 19 July. More information is available on the visitcheshire.com website.

- ‘The Embroiderer’s Eye’ exhibition (11 April to 4 July at The Silk Museum) and accompanying book will feature items from artist and designer Diana Springall’s collection.

- ‘Dye, Print, Stitch’ an exhibition of textiles by Thomas and Elizabeth Wardle follows (11 July to 31 October).

- ‘Colour and Texture in Needlework’ is a day school to be held at the Heritage Centre, Macclesfield on Saturday 4 July. High profile speakers include Diana Springall, Kaffe Fassett, Alistair MacLeod and Edwina Ehrmann. Bookings are already being taken (phone 01625 612045) and the £34 ticket includes buffet lunch and entrance to the Diana Springall exhibition.

- ‘Textile and the Arts and Crafts Movement’, also at the Heritage Centre, takes place on Friday 17 July. Tickets are £19 and include tea, admission to Dye, Print and Stitch, plus presentations by authors Barrie and Wendy Armstrong, Standen National Trust steward Caroline Soles and Brenda King, author and scholar.

Christmas Event 2008

2009-01-15T03:55:00.001-08:00

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.

"Hand-me-down -Drawers" October Meeting

2008-10-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

The first meeting of the winter season, on Thursday 16 October, was a great success, with plenty of newsy notices, plans for our Christmas social event and details of our “hands-on” project starting in November.

It was also the debut of our previous Chair, Margaret Waring, as speaker. And she held us spellbound with her topic “Hand-me-down Drawers”.

Margaret told us about four female relatives who are long-departed but whose embroideries and other personal belongings have accumulated in Margaret’s (and husband Peter’s) house. They are too full of memories to be discarded but are no longer fashionable or suited to today’s busy lifestyles. Fragments of delicate stitching, collars and cuffs, tablecloths, cushion covers, buttons, lace, a sewing box, a bonnet – the list of hand-me-down items goes on.

To represent the characteristics of her four subjects Margaret brought four pairs of drawers, ranging from serviceable cotton to embroidered lawn.

At the end of her talk she unveiled a piece of textile art – in the shape of a pair of drawers – that she has created using some of her heirlooms. She has added her own embroidery, including the names of family members and other key words.

Thanks to Hilary Fish for the text and photographs.

Maria Walker - Rags to Riches

2008-07-03T03:36:00.001-07:00

Maria Walker's talk on the 19th June 2008 was supported by an array of fine examples of her work.

Her talk moved us through her experiences in art and textiles from accountancy, and her changing emphases in design and techniques. Maria is currently interested in memories and this is reflected in her series of 'dress' mixed media work. Maria is a member of Textile 21 and she has her own website.

VARIATIONS 2 - Exhibition at Silk museum, Macclesfield

2008-06-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-04T01:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

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!

Jackie Cardy Workshop

2008-04-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 27th March 2008 Jackie Cardy held a workshop at St John's. She showed us her take on a six panelled silk evening bag. Here is Jackie working on one of the panels with a selection of her bags at the front.

There was a great array of bright colourful silks chosen and after a morning of pattern cutting and constructing we were able to decorate the panels with free machine embroidery, beads or applique,

Here is Jackie helping Margaret with her cord, we all made at least one cord using a variety of thread to coordinate with our silks. The cord would be sufficient for a fastening and tassel.

Some of the days results above, still plenty to do at home! Close up detail of panels and cords.

This is Betty's bag, she raced ahead and managed to almost complete it. The reason it is upsidedown is that we all thought it looked like a whale and it was the only way to get it to stand up for a photo.

VARIATIONS - Exhibition at Silk museum, Macclesfield

2008-03-19T04:18:00.000-07:00

Everyone is invited to view our latest exhibiton, details below..........

These two photos show one of the exhibits, 'Patchwork of Life' by Margaret Steeden.

The concept of patchwork of life is reflected in the half empty/half full sections, the emptiness & gaps in one's life, the isolated squares, the purity of new life and the richness and closeness of family and friends. The green squares represent the green grass that tempts us but is no where as rich and full filling as life. Tonal change reflects the wealth of knowledge and wisdom gained throughout life.

This closeup shows the detail of the hand embroidery employed throughout the piece.

Recycling Workshop with Jen Holmes

2008-03-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Better late than never................. Our November Workshop was on Recycling with Jen Holmes

She designed the workshop to encourage us to be experimental in the use of recycled materials within our embroidery. Her staring point was that embroiderers' like to collect and work with found materials and create a piece of art.
We were asked to take 3 categories of materials : papers, plastics and found objects (natural, metals,plastics and packaging).
The session was very enjoyable an she managed to get us to think more three dimensionally and create free standing pieces.

Jen Holmes is part of TELA and has exhibited in Tameside and at Farfield Mill near Sedburgh
http://www.tela-art.co.uk/
and also part of
http://www.weddingadornment.co.uk/exhibition.htm

Ann's Monsters

2008-03-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

Ann Holmes made these little darlings for her grandchildren for Christmas. The largest 4 were for the grandsons and the mini one for her granddaughter, it has fancy pink clothes and sparkly hair. Ann got the idea after seeing similiar monsters in a magazine advert. The shiny black fabric was a find on the sales table one Thursday and after working out the pattern needed Ann used both sewing machine and hand stitching to complete the finished items. The fun bit came with the decorating with a variety of beads, braids, sequins and glittery materials. Ann says it was worth all the hard work and aching fingers just to see their faces when they unwrapped them. Well done Ann very inventive!!!!!!!!!!

February meeting - Golden Hinde

2008-02-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

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.

January Meeting 2008

2008-01-23T07:40:00.001-08:00

This is Michelle Harper who gave a very informative and interesting talk on her work as a free lance textile conservator. Michelle is professionally accredited and is based in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent and can honestly say that her working days are never alike. She has worked on diverse projects such as the mask worn by John Merrick, the elephant man, wall hangings in National Trust and British Hertiage properties as well as private assignments where family heirlooms are displayed to advantage. The example given was that of a corset that was mounted so that it is took on the natural shape of the female form! Michelle can be contacted at info@michelleharpertexcon.co.uk for talks or commissions.

On the display table this month were items completed by Margaret Waring, the fourth in her series of granddaughter bags was proudly displayed. (Photo below) The colours were particularly subtle in this piece.

ROSE BOWL WINNER & BAG LADIES

2007-10-03T04:24:00.000-07:00

The AGM this year was well attended and after the agenda was finished members voted on the Rose Bowl entrants. The range of exhibits was very pleasing from the traditional to the more contemporary and this range was reflected in the winner and runner up.

Hazel Weselby with her fabric book and the Rose Bowl. Pat Rigley came second only one vote behind with a wonderful piece of hardanger.

A selection of bags brought by members for the exhibition of bags of all shapes and sizes.

EMBROIDERY IN TRUST EXHIBITION

2007-09-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

These photgraphs were taken at the Stitch and Creative Crafts Show at Manchester Central (formally GMEX) 1st September 2007.

The North West region of the Embroiderers Guild had a large stall and a very impressive display of elected work by the Region's branches to represent our celebration of the Guild Centenary in 2006.

There were nine exhibits by members of the Macclesfield Guild.

The seven pincushions based on a 17th century man's cap as well as Pat's work took centre place on the display table along with other vessels and artefacts.

Close up of the work of seven members, Barbara Cheeseman, Sue Guy, Chris Harris, Ann Holmes, Janet Toft, Anne Williams, Margaret Waring.

View of the top of Pat's knot garden box.

Little Moreton hall inspired alot of black and white pieces along with Elaine and Hilary's sampler.

Close up of the sampler inspired by Little Moreton Hall.

BIRTHDAY BAGS

2007-07-20T02:55:00.000-07:00

Margaret Waring has been busy!!!!!!!!

She sent me this set of photos with a few words of explanation.

My Granddaughters have their birthdays within three months of each other, Becky in June, Hannah in July and Courtenay in August. The bags are all very simple in shape, measuring about 18cm x 12cm.

Becky's is made from a pink silk scarf (from Smarts in Bollington) and embellished with french knots and beads, it fastens with a Dorset knob button because I am practising button making for a workshop in the Autumn at Macclesfield Museum.

Hannah's is made of silk from the Museum's shop and decorated with lines of beadwork using oddments from my cache.

Courtenay's is made entirely from recycled material from the 2 Charity shops in Poynton. The beautiful Indian embroidery was on a size 10 basque (£1) and the back from a black pelmet skirt, even the cord and silver thread were second hand.

By tradition all three got a little money slipped inside plus a favourite sweet - an Uncle Joe's mint ball!

GUILD MEETING 21ST JUNE 2007

2007-06-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

GRETA FITCHETT - 'INSPIRED TO COLOUR'

This month we were treated to a very inspiring talk by Greta Fitchett who warned us all at the beginning that we would be wearing sun glasses by the end of the hour - and she wasn't joking. Her work, mainly quilts were vibrant and most definately colourful!

This scaled model of a dress was mainly FME with wire to support the structure.

Greta has a fixation with Cockerels and amused us with her tales of how she sits in graveyards around the country with binoculars and sketch book taking note of all the different shapes. No two are the same she assured us. She did all the dyeing of the fabric for this quilt.

Greta's inspiration for this large quilt was Venice and in particular the shapes of Murano glass and beads.

Too much colour!

The base quilt was made from actual photographs of Great's patio flowers.

The small two cushions on top have flowers in relief.

These two wall hanging were inspired by rugs that Greta has seen on her travels to Istanbul and Morocco.

If you want to see more of Greta's work go to her website www.heatherleadesign.com