Our November Meeting
A rather grey day didn't dampen the enthusiasm of members who came to our November meeting. Some worked on their own pieces whilst others joined a 'stitch club'. One group, with Jacqueline's expert guidance, continued working on their crewel work embroidery. Although the three weeks of tuition is now over she intends to help participants finish their pieces. This was an over-subscribed club so we are hoping she will be able to offer it again so that more members can learn the techniques.
Jaqueline stitching a crewel work butterfly
Jose produced some charming pieces following last month's wool felting stitch club and brought them in to show the group.
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| Grazing sheep/Tobermory by Josie |
The wet felters worked away following Liz's instructions to create 3-d bowls. Using a resist circle they layered up wool rovings before wetting and rolling the pieces many, many times. After removing the resist the shapes could be pulled gently into shape and then vigorously worked around the edges to create bowls - magic! As the bowls were still damp they couldn't be finished off with embroidery/embellishment on the day but hopefully there will be some finished pieces for the next 'show and tell' session. Liz's felted poppies were rather fabulous too.
Liz demonstrated wet felting using a resist.
A selection of 3-d wool felted bowls made by members at the meeting
The Travelling Book
Each month a member takes the Travelling Book and creates some pages based on their personal interests. This month Diane had produced informative pages on pictoral patchwork and appliqué as well as some lovely samples.
Diane's Pictoral Patchwork and Appliqué
Meridith Towne: Dress Historian and Costume Maker
In the afternoon we were happy to welcome Meridith Towne back to Haxby.
The Christmas Stocking: a happy history of ho-ho-hosiery
Meridith gave a very entertaining talk about the history of hosiery from Coptic/Egyptian socks onwards. We learned about the etymology of hose (German) and the way early leg coverings were constructed (Scandinavian Nalbinding, knitting with needles, and eventually woven on knitting frames at the start of the Industrial Revolution). She described how hosiery was worn differently by men and women and also about the different fibres and construction techniques used. With her fabulous display of stockings she discussed the colour of hose and how these changed over time as fashions changed and different materials became available. We doubted anyone today would aim to be alluring by revealing their blushing pink ankles or would be scandalised by young women wearing tights (the original preserve of dancers and women of dubious morals). The demise of brown lisle stockings (school uniform standard issue) was not much mourned. Interspersed with the facts she told amusing stories about the strange traditions associated with hosiery, stockings and garters. Meridith brought along many samples from her collection and we thoroughly enjoyed her detailed research and festive frivolity!
meridithtowne.co.uk
Stockings from Meredith Towne's personal collection