Our November meeting was well attended and the hall was soon full of busy stitchers. One stitch club group continued making three dimensional pieces. Nicky had provided plenty of instructions to make a range of 'balls' using pentagons and other shapes. Shapes were cut out of hexiform or pelmet vilene and fabric was basted on. The shapes were then stitched together to create the 3D patchwork shapes using small whipped stitches along the edge. Members who had previously tried English Paper Piecing (EPP)patchwork had a good idea of the process. Anne had been very industrious by continuing from the previous month and had completed a bauble in forest green fabrics, adding embroidery and a beaded hanging loop.
Anne's completed decoration
Nicky's instructions and samples for dodecahedrons.
Balls can also be created using other geometric shapes, including triangles. Andrea was making good progress stitching a soft ball with lovely Liberty lawn scraps. She was creating a net (20 triangles joined flat) before assembling the polyhedron.
Andrea's polyhedron under construction
Liz's stitch club group were embellishing fabric with stitches and beads. This was a very relaxing activity once a piece of base fabric had been chosen.
Sara's embellished fabric in progress
At any meeting there is a large group who work on their own pieces. Usually this is embroidery or other forms of stitching. Some people enjoy following instructions in kits, others work on their own designs. However Celia's weaving caught my eye this month. She was using/re-purposing a bead loom and had warped it for a narrow band. She was weaving with embroidery floss and creating a series of coloured woven pieces (rainbow colours) to fit in the small compartments of an old printers tray. I'm sure it will look lovely when completed.
Celia working on a woven blue band
Afternoon speaker - Jacqueline Schultz 'Creative Chapters'
In the afternoon the very talented Jacqueline Schultz set up a display of her work and gave an illustrated talk. She had been inspired at a young age by her grandmother who was skilled at embroidery. Having trained as a primary school teacher (B.Ed with Art as her major) Jacqueline became an 'ex-pat' wife working in several International Primary schools. She clearly enjoyed her time living in different countries, meeting many people and absorbing a wide range of cultures and experiences. As well as working and raising her children, Jacqueline channelled her creativity into various hobbies which have gradually led her towards shifting her focus towards running a business as an interior designer, teddy bear maker/designer and more recently workshop facilitator.
Jacqueline recommended the courses she took in Nottingham at the National Design Academy when she relocated back to Yorkshire. These helped her establish herself as an Interior Designer and Soft Furnishings Professional. Her background in teaching has helped her create embroidery and soft toy kits for people to work on independently. She enjoys running workshops and 1-1 classes helping people develop their skills in soft furnishings, lampshade making and teddy bear making. Jacqueline passed around examples of her work (teddy's and creative patchwork) which were much admired. The teddy bears were beautifully made and very characterful. She is expanding the range to include rabbits and hares and also making lovely silk waistcoats for the animals. The crewel work kits were carefully curated and thoughtfully graded for difficulty (which spoke to her skill and experience as a teacher).
Jacqueline's charming and characterful teddy bears
Lampshades and creative patchwork embroidered Christmas Stockings
Jacqueline's crewel work
We enjoyed seeing all Jacqueline's fabulous work and wish her well for the future. She runs workshops in Ebberston, North Yorkshire and other local venues. Further details are available on jacquelinesbears.uk. Follow the links to information about Heritage Embroidery (Jacobean Crewelwork embroidery and Silk Ribbon embroidery) and Jacqueline's Interiors (soft furnishings - curtains, blinds, cushions and lampshades).
Our next meeting
This will take place on 29th November and will focus on Christmas Activities. All are welcome to join us in Haxby Memorial Hall near York at 10.30. If you are a novice and need advice or guidance there are plenty of people who would be happy to help. If you are an expert in any technique or style please come along to inspire us!