March Day School

In over thirty years of attending Day Schools, I can say that this was one of the best, EVER!!!!
I had missed LIz when she came to speak to us a couple of years ago but had seen her work in magazines and then on line.It looked amazing.  I contacted Carole a couple of weeks ago to ask for our requirements list. her answer was that everything would be provided for a cost of £4.00. This is always a pleasing response but she gave a short list of bits that we could take if we really wanted. I took along some threads , found objects and jewellery tools but none were really necessary as ALL was provided. I think we were all a bit concerned, not sure of what we would attempt but Liz was very reassuring. She began by demonstrating a number of techniques and then we had a play. I was still not sure where we were going but we experimented. After lunch we heard that we were going to create our own picture and not just take home a group of samples. We had another demo and then began to assemble our own pieces. Again I was not sure how it would work, but Liz came round and gave encouraging comments. I did tease her and said that it was a bit like the pressure of The Sewing Bee but I was only joking. Twelve of us went on this journey today and by 3,30 twelve of us were happy to show our totally or almost finished pieces. I dont think that has ever happened before. All of these pieces were of a high standard, I am thrilled that we all achieved so much. I suggest you look up LIZ COOKSEY as soon as possible. If you are reading this from another guild then book her!!!!

Liz explains her technique

And then have a go

 A few of her amazing pieces

And ours

Mine is now on the wall, but I really dont know what has happened to the colout. I used purple and orange on a white background, Think its my evening light. 

March meeting

Travel Inspired Stitch was the title of our March meeting. Perfect for me, two of my greatest loves and combined together too, Our speaker was a former EG graduate Laura Marriot who had travelled up from Derbyshire. Laura had been on two extended holidays /tours which had inspired her work, Southern Africa and SE Asia. I was in my element as each place that she mentioned brought back happy memories for me. I have so many pictures stored in my head but rarely have the skill to transfer them to fabric and thread. Laura experimented with wall art but decided that her skill and also a way to fund her work was through the medium of wearable jewellery.

The jewellery was all very brightly coloured and reminded me of the Hindu temples. She begins with a photo and then incredible black and white drawings. However her skill is then taken into our 21st century where she combines /cuts up images on her laptop. Not something possible for someone like me.Laura is however coming to a workday on 25th May and we will be able to learn more about her process and hopefully take away a completed brooch.

Our meeting started with congratulations from Brenda on the production of birds but said that more are required. She also mentioned her other challenge begun at the Jacobs Feast to stitch a small piece of fabric 

.

I took along my completed piece from the last evening speaker, Liz Almond and then three pin cushions that I had made based on an idea of Kathryn at Pendle Branch.

Vivienne then showed two rabbits that she had just completed. They were fully dressed , including undies and had great personality. Im sure they will be well received gifts, not not really to be played with.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch      March 2019

News

Our next workshop is this Saturday, March 23 with Liz Cooksey, who came to our May 2017 meeting.  You should   have received an email telling you what items it is suggested you bring to the workshop.

In May we have a workshop with Laura Marriott who is our speaker tonight.  Please add your name to the list if you wish to attend her workshop.

The EG national AGM is in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 6 April.  Details and booking form are on the Guild  website.

Contact Magazine.  You should have received an email from Pat Tempest at EG HQ announcing that a monthly edition of the Magazine will now be emailed to all members containing more information about the Guild’s activities nationwide. It will be also available on the Guild website.  Only an Annual Review of the Guild will be printed each year.

Competitions

The subject for the Rosebowl competition for NW region next year is “Twist it, Turn it”.  There will be a joint regional day/AGM for 2019 on 28 September at the Crofters Hotel in Garstang.

Exhibitions

Glossop branch are having an exhibition at Chatsworth until 22^nd April, see the poster on the noticeboard.

Rochdale branch are having an exhibition at The Coach House, Lodge St, Littleborough OL15 9AE from 6 April to 5 May.  Open daily 11-4pm.

Ten Plus have an exhibition “Beneath the Layers” at Warrington Museum and Gallery, WA1 1JB until 23 March.

Whitworth Gallery, Manchester until November 2019. – an exhibition of textiles from the Islamic world “Four Corners of One Cloth”.

There are a number of exhibitions this year at Gawthorpe Hall to mark the 60^th anniversary of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth establishing her unique textile collection as a trust.  Information on the noticeboard.

If you hear of any exhibitions or events that you think may be of interest to us, please tell Sheelagh. 

Our Bolton blog: begstitchers.blogspot.com  

We now have Facebook pages for Bolton and NW Region. Please ‘like us’ to help publicise the Guild

and our activities.

Guild website:  www.embroiderersguild.com       www.nwregionembroiderers.org