Finished Pieces of Work

 All hand-made chickens are invited to a hen party!

Some hens have already arrived, dressed in their best feathers and ready to Party!

Another colourful chicken has arrived made by Christina. She has chosen the fabric very carefully to represent the ruffled feathers and quilted the background to keep everything in place.

It is a wonderful piece and full of character.

Thank you Christina for sharing it with us.

Pam has finished her fantastically, cheerful, chicken bedecked in colourful feathers. She has used the applique shapes very effectively to suggest a large feathery tail and the overall effect is one of fun.

Thank you Pam for sharing your wonderful chicken with us.

Sandra's chicken might be a bit late for the party while she waits for her tea-dyed, pelmet vilene, eggs to hatch. She has added a nest of dyed paper string and eggs so that soon there will be colourful chicks running around!

She has used machine stitching to accentuate the feathers.

Thank you Sandra and I like the feathers in the background suggesting movement.

Julia has finished two pieces of work. The first piece is a delightful, sunny mini quilt of  a terracotta tub with colourful flowers,  garden flowers and birds in the background. She has chosen the colour of her threads with care.

Thank you Julia for reminding us what a blue sky looks like.

The second piece is a beautiful picture of a blue tit and a great tit so  easily recognisable in our gardens because of their colours and acrobatics. Julia has used feather stitch,  stem and straight stitch to embroider her picture.

The almost symmetrical design of the picture reminds me of Art Nouveau designs.

I am sure you have cheered everyone up just by your choice of colours and stitch.

Thank you Julia.

Braids - Sandra Kendall July Meeting 2024

 Our workshop this month  was led by one of our own members Sandra Kendall who arrived with three boards of samples to show us that the range of colour and texture in braid making was infinite.

 She informed us that we were going to make 3 different types of braid; twisted, wrapped and kumihimo. [See below]

There were also loose braids to handle so members could get a feeling for the strength and texture of a braid.

Sandra explained that there would be breaks every now and then to rest fingers, eyes and concentration as all would be required in abundance.

The first session Sandra demonstrated twisted braids with 6 strand cotton starting with twisting 4 lengths together until it started to twist back on itself, plus a few more twists.  A small pair of scissors was used as a weight and slid to the middle.  Then it was allowed  to spin back on itself. The ends were then secured with knots.

Members started to have a go at their own twisted braids started with a plain one and then using any yarns they wanted.

                                                                          

After we had made some pretty twisted braids we gathered together and Sandra told us that braids  were very ancient and that all cultures had developed braids from things they had  available e.g. grasses, reeds, vines, wool, silk, leather. They would have been used for tying garments, halters for animals, moving things, draft animals, carrying items etc. and over time would have become more colourful, adorned and also a status symbol.

She then suggested what we  could do  with braids as  embroiderers.

Just enjoy making them as they were fun in their own right, hangers, twisted stems, adornments, forest floor embroidery, roots , book markers, book closure ties and anything anyone could think of.

Sandra then demonstrated a plain wrapped braid followed by wrapping with spaces to incorporate beads. Members then began to have a go at wrapping their chosen core threads and then incorporating beads. Sandra reminded everyone that you could also wrap braids on a sewing machine.

Another break for lunch and then we were ready for the kumihimo braids. Sandra demonstrated a 2 colour twist striped braid made with 8 threads on a disk [see below]. Some members brought their own disks and Sandra had made cardboard ones for the rest. 

To help with remembering the movements we chanted a short "mantra":

Top right to bottom right

Bottom left to top left

The disk was  then moved anticlockwise. These movements were repeated over and over again until the thread was used up.

Members then chose their yarns and started off with the mantra in their heads to help remember the movements and slowly, slowly little tails of kumihimo braid began to appear much to members delight.

At the end we displayed our beautiful braids on a table. Everyone had worked very hard to complete so many colourful braids.

 A positive outcome was braids finished and nothing to add to our unfinished pile at home!

Thelma gave the vote of thanks to Sandra for a good day and Sandra thanked everyone for working so hard.