A lively bunch of stitchers and embroiderers met in Haxby Memorial Hall this month. Many people got on with their own work but those people who had signed up for a stitch club gathered to make progress on their projects. This month was the second session for Jaqueline's silk ribbon embroidery group and Nadine's huck embroiderers.
Having made good progress with the basic technique in the first session, Nadine's group moved on to try a more complex Christmas themed design that used several colours and slant stitch.
Huckwork Christmas tree design
Nadine was very impressed that some of her group had done 'homework' because they were particularly enjoying the counted thread technique. The images below show how Huck embroidery can be done on different scales and various fabrics. Monica had adapted a design from a knitting pattern motif and Jill had adapted cross stitch designs. The photos are only the front of the fabrics, there is nothing at all on the back as the technique is essentially woven into the threads on the surface.
Monica's tulip worked with cotton perle #12
Jill's fine edging on a hand towel and larger scale huck embroidery
Monica and Jill had both found the technique fun but said that it needs high levels of concentration. As a counted thread technique it requires precision and the use of a specialist (blunt and bent) needle makes it easier. The pattern is formed from the centre outwards and can include loops and diagonal lines. The pattern emerges from a single thread but appears to vary in density and depth. Group members were really enjoying learning this vintage technique.
The second stitch club were making progress with their silk ribbon hearts. Having finished the embroidered green outline (using stem stitch and chain stitch) the participants were able to move onto adding flowers and leaves. The first stage involved using a very unusual piece of equipement - mini hair straighteners - to smooth the narrow silk ribbons. The ribbons were then dyed using Windsor and Newton Promarkers which are translucent alcholol-based inks and the colour was fixed with another gentle iron with the straighteners. Jaqueline demonstrated how to use silk ribbon to create french knots to form simple flowers and leaf stitch for leaves. Some members dyed their ribbon before starting on their flowers, others stitched with the raw (white) ribbon with the intention of dying them later. Members were then able to start stitching seed beeds (for flower centres), forming flowers and adding leaves. The techniques were not difficult but were a bit fiddly so most people were intending to finish off at home. Next month Jaqueline will demonstrate larger/more complex silk flower techniques and everyone will have a lovely original piece of embroidery.
Anne making a start on peach coloured flowers
Pauline making some white silk ribbon flowers to be dyed next time
Michele having done her homework by adding a selection of white flowers and leaves
Remembering Liz Farmery
Mid-morning we stopped to reflect on the recent death of our friend and YES Treasurer Liz. Many members were able to go to Liz's funeral which celebrated her life as a wife, mother and grandmother as well as her working life, her travels and actitivies in retirement. As a close personal friend Nicky was asked by the family to write something about Liz's creative life and this was incorporated into the eulogy. However at YES we wanted to have an opportunity to talk about Liz's contribution to the group and her creative life more broadly. Liz was an unassuming woman of many talents who shared her skills and materials generously. She facilitated three stich clubs which were much enjoyed because she was organised and encouraging. She 'manned' the door and provided a warm welcome to old friends and newcomers alike. She was kind, competent, practical and an excellent treasurer, a role she had taken on from the formation of YES. Liz will be much missed.
Justine Warner: Landscape Artist of the Year Adventures
On the 5th aniversary of YES we were pleased to welcome back local textile and mixed media artist Justine who had been YES's first speaker. Justine had been to art college, trained in Interior Design and then had a busy career as a Secondary School teacher delivering Product Design, Textiles and Food Technology. Alongside this she had developed her art practice which has been influenced by her local environment, the Yorkshire Coast, Moors and Dales. Over time she formed a unique personal style of work which incorporates vintage ties and free motion embroidery. As well as taking commissions, Justine exhibits reguarly and runs day and residential courses in a range of experimental techniques from her beautiful studio in Sheriff Hutton.
A particular highlight of Justine's life was being asked to participate on the Sky Arts television programme 'Landscape Artist of the Year'. 
Justine's submission piece for 'Landscape Artist of the Year' and work produced during the competition
Justine told us about how surprised she was to have been approached by the Production Company to be in the show, and how she had prepared for it. Each week eight contestants only have four hours 'en plein air' to create a landscape which is judged by art experts and curators. Four hours is a very short time (particularly for a textile artist) and Justine's expectations were exceeded when she was shortlisted in her heat. The exposure showcased her career and led to lots of further exhibition opportunites and commissions.
We very much enjoyed hearing Justine talk about her recent work. Nowadays Justine is very busy (although recently retired) teaching and working on her own pieces. She is very interested in recyling fabrics gathered from local jumble sales and is still blending the patterns, textures and richness of old ties into her landscapes. She also loves to create dyed and painted surfaces using Tyvek, Lutrador, Bondaweb and netting, skills which she shares with her workshop students. Justine was a relaxed and entertaining speaker who many members know from workshops and exhibitions. We look forward to seeing how her work progresses over the next five years!
Justine's work in progress
Experimental work from Justine's Summer School/Retreat
Work from Justine's Autumn School/Retreat
A selection of Justine Warner's work
Further information about Justine Warner, her work, exhibitions and workshops can be found on https://www.justinewarnerartist.com
Her Instagram account is @justine_warner_artist
Our next meeting will be on Saturday 5th September. Meetings are held in Haxby Memorial Hall, near York, starting at 10.30 and ending around 3.30. Visitors are always welcome so if you would like to see what we are about, or if you would like help with an 'unfinished' project please come along. We are a friendly bunch and are always happy to see what other people have created so if you are a stitcher or embroiderer please drop by. Further details can be found below the banner above.
No comments:
Post a Comment