Our January Meeting

The weather was snowy, sleety and consequently icy here in Yorkshire but most members braved the conditions to come along to our first meeting of 2025.  We were happy to meet some visitors and hope they found us welcoming.  New stitch clubs will start next month so January was a time for self-directed stitching and embroidery.  Did I spy a knitter in our ranks?  Well our members have a wide range of talents!

In June we will be holding an exhibition of work so members were encouraged to think about contributing to the displays.  This could be under the exhibition theme of 'Architextures' or simply to showcase their own talents.  In the months ahead the detailed planning will get underway.  Save the Exhibition Date : Friday 27th through Sunday 29th June 2025.

Julie had taken the travelling book home over the festive break.   She returned it with a lovely indigo and white Broderie Perse sample enclosed.  

Julie's page on Broderie Perse

The book also had a festive addition contributed by Barbara who had made a landscape at a previous stitch club (wet felting) and who had finished it off at home with embellishments.

Merry Christmas from Barbara

Browsing the fabulous work going on in the hall I stopped to chat to two people whose work was quite different, but who were both making well considered colour choices and extremely neat stitches.  First was Jill who was stitching a stunning piece of Crewel work.  Although it was a pre-printed panel she said that she prefered to sew according to her own fancies, choosing filling stitches and colours as she goes.  She expressed disappointment that the central motif had so much ink as she prefers outlines which allow her more flexibility.  However I'm sure that once she takes the plunge with the centre she will find a solution and it will come together harmoniously.  

Jill's crewel work in progress

The next piece that caught my eye was being done by Megan who had dropped in for a first visit.  She was working squares of Japanese sashiko patterns in a rainbow of colour using 2 strands of embroidery floss on aida fabric.  This is a modern type of sashiko that has been developed by Sashikonami who is a popular Japanese Instagrammer.  The book, 'Colourful Sashiko' was certainly lovely and inspirational and I hope to see the finished piece in due course.

Meghan's colourful sashiko - work in progress

Alison Larkin 'Arts and Crafts Embroidery'

In the afternoon Alison Larkin came to give a talk/slide show about the artists of the Arts and Crafts movement based on her personal interest in the Arts and Crafts aesthetic.  

Alison brought along some examples of her own beautiful historical embroidery and copies of her book 'Jane Austen embroidery' which was written with Jennie Batchelor and which showcases Georgian style work.  More examples of Alison's work and her book/kits for sale can be found on her website, alisonlarkinembroidery.com

Georgian style posies and part of one of Alison's cross stitch kits

Georgian style 'pocket' 

Regional information - The Yorkshire and Humber Embroiderers' Group (YHEG)

Many YES members also belong to other groups.  One local/regional group is the Yorkshire and Humber Embroiderers' Group which organises several meetings a year and hold a residential summer school in July (day rates also available).  They are actively looking for new members and participants for their activities.  

This year's Summer School will run from Friday July 11th to Sunday July 13th.  Several YES members endorsed the Summer School as being challenging, well run, fun and inspirational.  The workshop facilitators are well established professional practitioners as well as teachers.  

Amanda Hislop 'Land and Sea - print: place: stitch'.  Her website is amandahisloptextileartist.com

Julia Triston 'Between the Lines' Her website is juliatriston.com

Tracy A Franklin 'Contemporary Crewel Work'.  Her website is tracyafranklin.com 

Georgina Bellamy 'Contemporary Goldwork - Grandmother Mouse'.  Her website is thatembroiderygirl.com

Further information about joining YHEG can be obtained from Stephanie Palmer whose email is palmer@tect.co.uk and details of the summer school can be obtained from Pauline Heywood whose email is pauline@whitgifthall.co.uk

Our next meeting ....

Will be 1st February in Haxby Memorial Hall 10.30-3.30.  The afternoon speaker will be Jessica Grady 'Journey into Unconventional'   Jessica is a young but much lauded textile artist whose mixed media work is bold and tactile - if this sounds interesting please join us!  Visitors and new members are always welcome.