York Embroiderers and Stitchers

Our July Meeting

Stitchers and embroiderers got together at the start of July in our usual venue, Haxby Memorial Hall, York.  Whilst many members progressed their own work, others tried something new.  The 'messy' side of the hall was taken up by Gelli Printing led by Sue.  This was the second session so participants had a general idea of what they were doing but like many printing processes the outcomes can be unpredictable.  Some people enjoyed using blocks and stamps whilst others used leaves and natural forms to create colourful fabric pieces. 

Gelli plate rollering in progress

Fabric pieces printed using a gelli plate

Meanwhile another group continued (or started) a piece of modern black work (many using colours other than the traditional black).  Nicky had produced some very clear instructions which built the block patterns up sequentially but which allowed for some experimentation and original design.  This technique is worked on evenweave fabric (aida) with stranded embroidery floss.  The addition of fine metallic threads adds a lovely sparkle.

Dilys was working on aida with blue embroidery floss.  She had made a charming needlebook up out of a piece of Wessex embroidery learned at a previous 'stitch club'

Dilys's sample piece

The travelling sketchbook returned with additional pages contributed by Gina that focused on patchwork and quilting.  

Colourful patchwork by Gina

Dawn Ireland, Textile Artist

The afternoon speaker was Dawn Ireland who gave an illustrated talk about her life as a textile artist.  Dawn was interested in drawing and making from an early age and studied art and design at her local college before taking a BTEC in Surface Pattern and Design.  This led on to a degree in Fashion and Textile Design, specialising in embroidery at UCE Birmingham.  Over time her practice has evolved to include mixed media and freestyle machine embroidery.  Alongside her studio/commercial work Dawn runs workshops and community projects.  It was lovely to see her early work and sketchbook process and also to see how her style evolved over time.  Dawn brought along a selection of her cards, framed pieces, kits and fabric packs to sell and many of us were tempted! 

Dawn Ireland's work and sketchbooks

Dawn showed a range of her commissioned pieces (some of which are also photographed on her website www.dawnireland.com).  Although her dominant style is of mixed media collage, she has produced custom made solid embroidery pictures of peoples houses, gardens and pets, as well as collages of important things for 'leaving' gifts.  The photographs don't really do justice to her charming and colourful detailed work which often incorporates tiny (postage stamp sized) elements, flowers, birds and animals.

Cards by Dawn Ireland

Commissioned work by Dawn Ireland incorporating unusual postage stamps

The next meeting is on Saturday 3rd August.  Claire Ketteman will be running a workshop on Devore Print.  This is an unusual technique that involves burning out areas using a chemical gel to create a cut velvet effect.  Numbers are limited for this so booking is required.  However visitors and those wanting to work on their own projects are very welcome to come along.