Machine Embroidered Lace - Wendy Dolan

Wendy in front of a sample piece she made for the Millennium Commission for Ashbridge College, Herts.

Wendy traveled over to the island from her home in Hove to give us a very interesting illustrated talk on Art, Architecture in Stitch. She managed to bring over a large suitcase full of her work to illustrate her talk and to show us her beautifully executed work. She told us how she layered up her fabrics, stitched them together and then painted them before starting on the embroidery. She managed to incorporate her fine art training with her stitchery making her work very painterly.
The following day her workshop was inspirational.  She introduced us to working on soluble fabric.  For those who had already worked with it she gave us many ways of incorporating all kinds of threads and attaching the motifs we produced. Wendy never stopped encouraging and telling us her secrets for the whole time she was with us.  We feel very envious of people who live in the south who can go to her many courses and workshops at West Dean College near Chichester.

These are some of the gorgeous samples Wendy bought with her to inspire us

Here we are hard at work.

Wendy explaining to Jean the finer points!

Sue hiding behind her sewing machine!

This time it is Mary!

Wendy demonstrating how to dissolve

Jean, Pat, Theresa and Mary admiring the days work!

Jean proudly showing her day's work. Well done!

AGM

Our AGM was well attended with the business dealt with swiftly and the new officers voted in.  It was followed by a demonstration of Flower Trapping by Ann Trew. Ann showed us which flowers were suitable and how to flatten the flowers so they would sit nicely when trapped under fine chiffon. She bought along this beautiful quilt together with cards and framed pictures she had made along with kits for us to have a go with at home.

The Royal Show

We were proud to display  some of our work at the Royal Agricultural Show.

Our embroidered postcards for the Athletes of the World Traveling Exhibition

Maureen waiting for the crowds!

Maureen and Caroline happily stitching ready to encourage the crowds.

Our new screens showing our many stitched samples.

JEAN O’NEIL’S MEMORIAL CHARITY DAY 2012

One of our younger guests - Jasmine Hextall

Janet and daughter Rachel hard at work

Sheena trying to hide!

Caught!

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On Saturday 28^th July our Annual Charity Day was held at St Andrews to great success.  We had a large turnout of members, family and friends who enjoyed making a felt biscornu or brought their own sewing, which was lovely to see.  We saw Japanese Folded Patchwork, Miniature Log Cabin Blocks and a Jubilee Tapestry Cushion which made the day very diverse and interesting, especially to the younger generation who also came on the day.

Many people should be thanked for helping on the day: Maureen Robinson who was our tea/coffee lady and also supplied a selection of lovely sandwiches, Marie Warburton from the Merseyside branch of the Guild who provided our raffle prizes (which included a cross-stitched biscornu which was stunning and won by me!), to everyone for bringing many sales items, cakes, pastries and scones which created a wonderful lunch enjoyed by all.

The donations flooded in with a total (increased at 10pm that night!) to £500 – an amazing amount!

Our charity this year will make really good use of our efforts to provide outings, books, arts and crafts to patients in Grianagh Court, which is a Mental Health Service facility who receive little funding.

Well done everyone and my grateful thanks for all your support.

Janet Williams

Queenie Festival

Once again the weather was kind over the weekend and we only had a couple of showers. 8000 people came over the weekend and our stand created a great deal of interest. (It was situated close to the tea, coffee and cake stall that is always extremely busy which helped). Our stand was very welcoming with some beautiful work on display to talk about. It looked both  attractive and colourful with all the 4 inch squares and photos of the postcards that Jane had produced, on our beautiful new display boards.  When it was all in place the helpers stood back to admire it and were aware of being very proud to be part of such a talented group. They were kept busy explaining how various pieces were worked and encouraging people to join. We are hoping to have a few new members from our endeavors. Many thanks to everyone who found the time to come and help. We could have done with a few more!

Maria, Janet explaining something to each other while Angela engages with the public

Sheila listening!

What a range of different techniques and interesting things to show off.

Our Laxey Wheel came in for a lot of admiration.

Stitching a Welcome to the Athletes of the World

The Embroiderer's Guild offered its 197 branches round the British Isles a challenge to embroider postcards towards an traveling exhibition which is taking place around Britain during the Olympic Games. Each branch was given a country that would be competing in the Games and our was Mauritius.  Over 2916 postcards were on display at the 2012 AGM in Southport. It was incredible to see them all hanging together. There was every technique and just too many to take in all at once. At present they are in Tyne and Ware until July 11th, Plymouth from 16th July - 29th, London Aug 2 - Sept 22nd, Bromsgrove Oct 8th - Nov 4th so if anyone is anywhere near any of these places go and see them.  You can not help but be impressed. This was our contribution.