Covid 19 - September 2020 -

September 2020 blog

September Committee Meeting

Today is 7 September and although we did not meet as a branch we did have a Committee meeting in the car park at Kennet Valley Hall.

Ann and Clare will be in touch to give you further information about the exciting things we have planned for members.

As you can see we were all seated well apart so much so that I only just managed to get Amanda on the left of the picture and completely cut off Stella. So sorry, Stella!

A big “thank you” to each Member who contributed to our September Blog. Ros

Message from Kay F

I’m sending a few pictures of my completed projects, many of which have been incomplete for quite sometime! I’ve also done curtains and cushions.

Having shielded for 5 months I’ve begun going out and about a bit more. When eventually Guild reopens I hope to be there.

The stitching group we have in the Village, have had a couple of garden meetings which has been great. There was more catching up than stitching

Message from Clare R

I bought a nice frame and mount in Marlborough High Street and its setting off a Lockdown embroidery rather well I think .

Message from Amanda R

In these covid times I have taken to making greetings cards. My husband Harry loves his allotment so I embroidered a tiny 3d one for him. He was very delighted. Its Co. Pete with shed, bean canes, bonfire, compost bin, weeds and some vegetables! It’s no masterpiece but I had fun inventing and ‘planting’.

Message from Annie F

I have attached a photo of my latest effort inspired by the lockdown post card challenge which I really enjoyed. This one is the Potting Shed, a mixture of applique and embroidery on Hessian which seemed a suitably rustic medium for the subject.

Message from Vernice

In the May Covid Blog you showed my unfinished piece from Linda Miller’s workshop. I have now finished the figure but have not yet decided what the background will be.

Message from Tase

The pattern is called Heyday Dungarees by Made by Jack’s Mum. Organic washed linen from Higgs & Higgs. Straight forward to make, didn’t take too long (about 6 hrs ish. Pattern adjusted to remove 2 ” in length and could do with more. Used my embroidery machine for the pocket detail.

Message from Hazel P

During lockdown I was busy making a surprise photo book for my daughter’s 40th birthday in August.

The cover of the book was an image of a thank you card I really loved and so had saved as a pdf.

Originally I thought of making a patchwork folder using fabric off cuts from her childhood dresses – but I didn’t have enough to make it interesting, and couldn’t bear to cut up the only bought dress I still had.

So I sent away to Prinfab in Faversham Kent to have a Fat Quarter printed on medium weight calico.

I decided to make a protective cover for the book, and chose to do padded machine embroidery, but with a smooth enough finish for it to be slotted on a bookshelf.

The added benefit was that it wasn’t obvious at first sight what the present was.

Message from Judy J

I belong to the Great Western Embroiderers and before lockdown we had been preparing for an exhibition with Japan as the main theme. We had a challenge to create a 12inch by 12inch piece of work for this and I chose to illustrate a koi carp. The fish is gold fabric applique with bead embellishment. The bamboo and ripples are painted bondaweb which is then cut and ironed on to the background. We hope the exhibition will go ahead next year as part of Swindon Open Studios.

Message from Ros

I have been rather busy with the new website this month so unfortunately have not done as much stitching as I would have liked but I did find time to do one sample for my Stitch your Story course – Hair. I limited myself this time to the suggested four samples and this has been less challenging but still useful.

In mid August I went on a one day workshop to learn how to stitch stretch jersey using an overlocker. Great fun and I am over the moon with the result and my decision to make the T-shirt long sleeved. My dear friend Ellen runs her own business teaching dress making classes, workshops or one to one so if anybody is interested do look her up. https://www.themakeroom.uk/

I have now started the next module of Stitch your Story so hopefully have something to show you next month.

Message from Ann S

A few images of a piece in progress . Using a variety of image transfer, collage and stitch inspired by boats and sea and cliffs .

Message from Maria

With time on my hands, or so I thought, at the beginning of lockdown I decided to have a go at a hand stitched project (not my forte)! so I started a Noah’s Ark blanket for my new baby grandson – which is still very much a work in progress! All hand stitched applique on polar fleece using blanket stitch, back stitch and straight stitch. Slow going but very therapeutic and so exciting as it comes to life.

Two weeks ago my sister, who is the owner of several sewing machines and a long arm quilting frame, came to visit and suggested we take a trip to Salisbury and take in Franklins while we were there. At this point I should say that my own solitary machine is a 49 year old workhorse. Well, as you may guess, I was not allowed to leave the shop empty handed. Two hours later I was the proud owner of a Juki NX7. Photograph provided. My husband now thinks his too long trousers, bought 3 years ago, might stand a chance of being turned up! I don’t like to dissolution him!!!

That’s all for this month.

The feed back this morning from the Committee was that everyone has enjoyed seeing members work in the Blog so this will continue.

Please remember this will only be successful if YOU contribute too! Please email photos in jpg format (if possible) any time during the month to rosalindlomas21@gmail.com. My aim is to post monthly to coincide with our meeting so the last date for October blog will be Friday 2 October.

Ros