It was wonderful to see that so many stitchers and embroiderers had braved the cold and wet weather to come along this month. We put out extra tables and chairs and there was soon a hum of activity in the hall.
Josie and Celia continued working with a group who wanted to learn or improve their goldwork. This month they focused on finishing techniques (tricky given the thickness of the applied gold and coloured threads) and moved on to creating corners/angles. Participants were enjoying the challenging nature of the technique and making good progress with their samples.
Monica's goldwork sample
Goldwork is a very technical style of embroidery which requires specialist materials and we really appreciate Josie and Celia's knowledge and skills. They brought along samples which showcased traditional and modern goldwork and were absolutely wonderful.
Victorian ecclesiastical goldwork embroidery (stole end and burse)
Celia's modern goldwork - works/samples showing how different weight gold threads and cords are affected by the application of different coloured threads.
The second stitch club group continued exploring colour and design. Helen had brought along her sketchbooks and plenty of papers/magazine pages for the group to use to create colour collages. She demonstrated how simple and playful processes could be developed into surfaces that could be cropped and curated to form designs. Next month these will be re-imagined and recreated in fabric and threads.
Paper, paint and collage
Helen's samples showing colour, collage and pencil sketching as ways of developing design ideas.
Stitch clubs occupy some members but most work away on their own projects. These are hugely varied and it is inspirational to simply walk around the room and talk to people about what they are doing! This month Jane's embroidered postcard caught my eye. The postcard (one of several) was found among her grandmother's effects and had been sent from France by her grandmother's brother. I found it very touching that a treasured item was being incorporated into pages for a fabric book. Jane was also using some of her grandmothers threads, lace and other textiles. It struck me that many things we inherit languish in boxes unseen and underappreciated and this seemed a very meaningful way to remember someone' s life.
Margaret Beech 'Paper Magic'
Our afternoon speaker was a local artist who specialises in calligraphy and bookmaking (mostly out of paper but some out of fabric). In 2025 she was invited to exhibit as part of York Open Studios. Margaret had brought along a large collection of different books made over a number of years. Margaret's work is very varied and quite difficult to categorise as the books have a sculptural quality. She is part of an International community of artists that swap ideas and books that they have made. Because of her interest in calligraphy and words she incorporates poetry and phrases into her art/books, many of which contain manipulated and three dimensional elements. Over the course of the afternoon we saw flag books, fanbooks, flickbooks, concertina books, scroll books, Jacob's ladder books, explosion pages and surprise elements. We very much enjoyed her spirited 'show and tell' and admired her creativity.
A selection of Margaret Beeches paper books
Our next meeting will be on Saturday March 7th. If your New Years' Resolution was to try something new or just get on with finishing a project, why not join us in Haxby Memorial Hall at 10.30? Bring some stitching and your lunch if you'd like to stay all day and listen to our afternoon speaker. Or, just drop in and see what we're doing - visitors are always welcome. The program and contact information is in the tab above.
