I have just returned from a Padiham branch meeting. Val Anderson entertained us with an excellent account of the discovery and development of silk fabric.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Out and about, Padiham
North west Regional Day,Preston
Preston and Parbold branches co hosted the regional day this year,held at the Crossroads Centre in Preston. The weather all week had been awful, rain ,rain and wind. However Saturday was glorious. We had a good drive up and the sun shined all day.
Sue introduced the day and Monica read out a very comprehensive report sent with apologies for absence from Christine.
We were entertained in the morning by Dr Caroline Alexander, who gave an amazing account of the development of Horrockses dresses. As always it is good for us to champion the “North”.
Lunch was well organised, well presented and delicious. Much better than bringing sandwiches!!!
The afternoon talk was given by Sue Rangeley. I was really looking forward to this as I had recently purchased her book. The talk “Fashioned with Stitch”made many references to the book but she had also brought along many pieces that I had seen in photographs. Something to drool over.
As always the shops were varied and doing a great trade. The Young Embroiderers had their own workshop but came in to the end of the meeting for the presentations of competitions. We were delighted that Barbara was awarded the third prize in the Coats Anchor competition
Aintree
Margaret invited me to join her on Friday, a trip to the craft fair held at Aintree. It had been organised by her sewing club but it was good to see Jennie, Barbara and Audrey in attendance as well.
I like this venue and it was also good to be taken there by coach. I did not get the chance to attend any mini workshops as I wandered around, spending money and chatting to the many people there that I knew.
There was no HQ presence but Merseyside did us proud with their exhibition and demonstrations. Each time I passed by , I saw that it was very busy.
Lunches were easily obtained and a reasonable price. My only hesitation is like many of these fairs, there is a massive amount of card making and associated crafts and very limited “pure embroidery”
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Out and about ,Blackpool.
I was delighted when Kathryn mentioned that Maggie Grey{and husband Clive} was coming to Blackpool Branch and that there were seats available. I instantly bought tickets for Barbara and myself.
Yesterday we drove over to the venue and had a splendid time. Maggie is a vivacious woman who spoke with such o love of her subject. She shared many of her tips with us and introduced{ or reminded us} of all the new products and techniques.
There were superb photos and even some video to illustrate her talk and then we were all able to study and handle her work.
I will never forget her comment about solving a problem “with two knots and a limp piece of string”. You will have to hear her talk to know what this means!!!
Maggie was generous enough to say that I could photograph any of her work for this bog, so enjoy…
She can be contacted at
Well done and thanks to Blackpool branch who also provided delightful home made tea and cakes . Finally and sadly once the talk was over, Christine Poole arrived , after visiting another of our branches at Rochdale. Must go now as I have two books to read.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Bulletin
EMBROIDERERS' GUILD - BOLTON BRANCH NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2012
NEWS
The April NW Region Bulletin is now available.
If you are coming up for your 25 year badge please let Ann know.
The next issue of Contact magazine will be sent to you direct.
Headquarters will be putting our subscription up by £2 in September.
If you would like to order Workbox magazine at a cost of £2.05p please tell Marilyn. We have to pay in advance,
so I will need payment for your copy the month before it is due.
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
10 Plus Textiles have an exhibition on until 31s August at The Changing Fashion Gallery in Stoke-on Trent, Mon
- Sat 10am - 5pm and Sun 2 - 5pm. There is a leaflet for further details.
Bolton Degree Show is on 14th June 2012
Midori Matseishima is teaching Japanese embroidery at Lancashire College, Chorley from 27 -29 July and 16 -
18 November. If you are interested contact Sandra McFarlane at Sandra@motoandchief.net or Joan Webb at
webb@,4svdnope.fsnet.co.uk for details.
Johanna is running a workshop (Patchwork and embroidery made into items) on Tuesday mornings between 9.30
and 11.30 at the Quest Centre, Barlow Way, Halliwell, BL1 3UB. It's a roll on/roll off workshop and the cost is
£7.00 per week. Machines and all materials are provided.
Wirral Branch have Maggie Grey on Thursday April 19th speaking on "Faces & Places in Paper & Stitch" at
WilliamsonArt Gallery, Slatey Rd, Birkenhead, £4.50p from 7.15pm. Contact anne.fitzgeraldl(5>ntlworld.com by
April 12th if you wish to go so they can be sure of having enough chairs out.
Lancaster Cathedral have courses led by Sue Pilkington-Hanna. "Goldwork & Silk Shading" 18th - 21st June and
"Undertaking your own Restoration Project" 9th -13th July at a cost of £40 per day including lunch. Also "Poorly
Vestment Clinic" Sat 7th July 10-12am and l-4pm £10. To book or for more information contact Sue at 30, Castle
Rd, Whitby, N. Yorkshire YO21 3NQ; Tel. (01947) 604 645; email: susiepdesigns@hotmail.co.uk.
ADVANCE NOTICE
Booking forms are now available for the Summer meal at Ridgemont.
The list is available for the next workshop (23rd June) This is 2 part with a study visit with Tracy Gill bringing
lace from the RBKS collection for inspiration in the morning and an art & design workshop with Gail McArdle in
the afternoon. Everyone attending must produce a piece of work (Max. size 25cm x 25cm) for submitting to
Gawthorpe for selection for exhibiting.
Don't forget Molly's Cup title will be "Redo, Rework, Reform"
We need ideas for things to buy or pay for with the returned 40% of our loan to H.Q. - eg. An expensive speaker,
a Friday evening talk followed by a workshop on the Saturday - this would need firm commitment from members
and possibly payment in advance - or any other ideas you may have.
REMINDERS
Could anyone who embroidered one of the postcards please let Marilyn have a brief outline of how you chose
your subject and technique.
The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28th April 2012 in Preston.
If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful)
Raffle prizes are always welcome. Please see Judith if you have anything.
Don't forget our blog address for Bolton EG is http://begstitchers.blogspot.com/ . Also just a reminder that the Guild web address is www.embroiderersguild.com
April meeting
Linda Barton spoke at the AGM in Southport this year. She was very amusing yet explained in some detail how various gold threads were created. So my sadness at missing the meeting on Tuesday was tempered by the fact that the group were about to hear about “Spinning a golden thread”.I have spoken to several members, since my return home, who all expressed how much they had enjoyed the talk.
It was a busy night again. I had lent Ann the bag that I had won at the AGM and the gift of scissors presented to me by Christine Poole, in thanks of the work done by NW committee members.
Ann also brought along our hanging.
I am sure that everyone was impressed. Thinking back to the time when we made small felt birds and now the finished product , we should all be satisfied. Ann has worked particularly hard and has devised a structure to hold and hang it Unfortunately Derian House cannot accept our work as there is a hygiene issue but we are investigating another possible home.
Monday, April 2, 2012
National AGM 2012
Barbara and I booked for a weekend package at Southport this year. We took the easier option of staying at the Ramada Hotel attached to the Southport Convention Centre and later I was so pleased that we had made this decision.
Monica had asked me to oversee the Raffle, so we had to arrive very early on Friday morning. The Raffle was a great success, both in the number of compliments,tickets bought and distribution of prizes. I could not have managed without the help of Barbara. We were constantly busy and had two separate raffles on the two days. Having stored the bags at my home and then in our bedroom, I had been able to admire the exquisite workmanship and generosity of NW region, Branches who had donated these bags. Even better, on Saturday, one of my numbers was drawn and I won the turquoise bag from the Wirral. Was I happy!!
At the start of the day, Friday, I rushed downstairs to see the Postcards. I grabbed my camera and tried to take photos before the masses arrived,but was overwhelmed by the number. They are amazing. Terry our CEO is investigating the possibility of a catalogue so I have my fingers crossed, Spot Bulgaria below….
Barbara and I had not booked the workshops offered on Friday but I believe they were much enjoyed. In fact they were over subscribed so Sarah from Golden Hinde stepped in and offered two more.
There were also two opportunities to visit the Lady Elisabeth Hoare collection at Liverpool Cathedral but of course we had been before.
We nipped out to an excellent tapas bar for a quick lunch and breathe of fresh air and continued to sell tickets. Dinner that night was in the hotel, a Carvery but excellent. After the meal we were entertained by A old friend Rubina Porter MBE.
She gave another entertaining but thought provoking account of the orphanage in Bangladesh.
Saturday was the formal AGM. We began by greeting our new Presidents, Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn who then conducted the meeting.
Lunch and then two lectures. Linda Barton told us about”Spinning a golden yarn” and then Bridget Guest, about the “Quaker tapestry”
We mat in the Conference centre at 7.00 for a drinks reception followed by our Gala meal. IT was then “Double Trouble” as Jean and Jan entertained us with an account of their lives and loves of technology.
Monica presented Katherine with a hand made book of photos to thank her for her Chairmanship and then those of us on the committee that had been closely involved with the AGM were presented with engraved scissors by Christine Poole our National Chair. Another surprise for us all, but very welcome.
Sunday offered a leisurely breakfast for some of us. No bags to move or raffle tickets to sell. Barbara and I sat and chatted amicably over bacon and eggs with Jean and Jan.We watched a coach disappear to the next visit, The Rachel Kay Shuttleworth collection at Gawthorpe Hall and packed our bags. A walk down Lord Street and then a journey home. We were both exhausted but content. Next year at Cheltenham will be a little less stressful for us!!!!
Padiham post
After a hectic weekend at the AGM in Southport,I travelled to my other branch in Padiham . The weather has turned cold again,but the reception there was welcoming. We celebrated the award made to Katherine at the AGM and then I was so happy to watch the slide show that Ann Christy had created. It was an account of her search to find silk in China . It was 1995 that I was there but recognised every place and so had very happy memories. Ann had also collected a lot of Chinese crafts whilst on her journeys and we were able to see them all close up.
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