Tuesday 29 March 2022

 Workshops

The next workshop will be 'Calico Gardens' delivered by Sue Morgan and will be on 16th and 17th June. 

16th June 1.00 - 3.30pm

17th June 10.00 - 3.30pm





 April 2022

 'Communication Through Textiles '  by Melanie Kay

This was an interesting and thought provoking presentation with a fascinating collection of examples of her work.

Melanie has a Textiles degree/masters and now teaches D and T in a school where she focuses on work with metal, electronics and stitch.

She has always been interested in words,lettering,bright colours and 'found' items which she patchworks together. At university she gravitated to working on metals like copper, peweter etc and decided for her degree project to focus on Gender, with the Metals traditionally being considered 'male' and the Textiles/stitch traditionally being regarded as 'female'.

Lettering,colour and images
Stitch on copper/metals


Metals, flowers and lace effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melanie used found metal in the form of beer cans stitching them together and decorating them with flowers created using free machine embroidery. She then produced holes in the metal to achieve a lacy look to match with the flowers and added a 3D butterfly to complete the piece.

 

Social issues, patchwork,lettering

Flowers,lace,butterfly on metal


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ideas and experimentation
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In her work she draws images which she copies and sticks onto the cans, then applies stitch and finally 'sands off' print from selected areas to achieve finished result. Many of these link to health and social issues for example drink.

Melanie patchworks pieces of cans together and makes large 3 D items like lampshades. She has also made a selection of boxes - matches, cigarettes, chocolates,soap powder, jigsaws etc.


Jigsaw picture

Chocolate box  

Match box - front

Match box - back




Thursday 3 March 2022

 17th March 2022

 

Our speaker was Bella May Leonard with a presentation 'Sculptural Stitch'

Bella studied embroidery gaining her BA Hons and worked as a Textile Artist, experimenting with stitch on various materials like acetate, to be able to see the front and back of the work; acrylic which allowed holes or designs to be cut out allowing lacing with shoe laces, washing line, plastic straws, cable ties many of which have been 'found' materials. 

A Residency in Mexico enabled her to experience the culture, weaving and embroidery and allowed for collaboration with print makers to explore patterns, textures and symbols. 

Bella's work reflects the cultures and materials which have inspired her.

Embroidery stitches




Acrylic with lacing




Inspired by Mexico and a hot water bottle, lino cuts used to print design and then embroidered                



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexican inspiration
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable ties and plastic

 

 

 

 

Stitch detail from Mexican man

Stitch detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini workshop 1.00 - 3.30 pm  Folk Art Designs on felt with Carrie and Trisha




 

 17th February 2022

Our speaker was Liz Cooksey with her presentation on ' Development of Ideas and  Influences ' this was all related to her work from its beginnings with a degree in embroidery and intention to focus on creation of her own work collection, through teaching and enabling others to work in textiles to the circumstances which prompted a re- evaluation and led to a return to creating her own work.

A selection of work illustrated her journey from machine embroidery,  drawing with the machine, with designs/ideas based on nature and natural forms, through hand stitching employing techniques of applique and collage, to crochet and drawing with wire.

The work on display demonstrated the inspiration of the natural world, seashore, landscapes, flowers, birds, particularly the textures, shapes, colour and patterns.

 

Crochet and wire to create flowers and leaves

Items displayed in handmade (by Liz) pottery vases


Selection of crochet, wrapped wire and embroidery


Experimentation with a selection of techniques


 Christmas Celebration

Unfortunately our surprise speaker had to cancel due to Covid - a sign of the times! Despite members using lateral flow tests prior to attending, a well ventilated hall and a range of precautions to ensure safety we enjoyed our celebration buffet and social gathering.

 

Selection of sweet and savoury items

Guests arriving

One of the tables


 Celebration of Stitch our Exhibition at Nantwich Museum (November-December 2021).

This showcased a wide variety of different types of work, all featuring stitch, created by members of the group. The exhibition was well attended and received positive feedback

 



Hearts






November meeting our planned speaker was unable to visit, fortunately a new speaker was found. Susannah Midwinter a specialist in Antique Textiles and Embroidery gave an excellent presentation which she illustrated with a wonderful collection of artefacts ranging from 16th century Blackwork, 17th Century Raisedwork (stumpwork)including a box dated 1660, 18th century samplers, clothing including an embroidered Edwardian dress, Chinese jackets and Japanese Kamino.


Blackwork from 16th Century
Stumpwork box 1660
Embroidery on Kamino
Edwardian dress with chainstitch decoration
Chinese jackets with embroidered decoration and sleeve bands