March 2016

Our March meeting has come and gone with five of us attending. It was our last time meeting at Guild Headquarters for a while as the building undergoes extensive renovations. As classes were being run downstairs, we were delegated to the kitchen. Seated around the large table upstairs, show and tell was the order of the day.

Wendy had been to Effie's 'Stitch Play' in the Mountains and had produced this sample. The fabric collage was a great way for Wendy to learn the effect of one colour against another. Effie's variations with stitch proved such fun to learn, while learning with others in such a setting proved pure magic. The wonderful chance was given to purchase unusual coloured fabric and threads, with lots of play ahead. The building re-development was an important topic for discussion, as funds raised from the day went to the building fund. The excitement of the future of The  Embroiderer's Guild NSW Headquarters was everywhere, even in the stitches being produced.

Our new member, Kathleen, had also attended the same 'Stitch Play' weekend at Bilpin, in the Mountains, which  was nurturing, relaxing, and fun. The above collage was Kathleen's very first 'Effie Mitrofanis Scroll'. There was lots of chatting, walking, horizon gazing, and eating as well as stitching. Kathleen found Effie to be an amazing tutor and guide, teaching her students the use of colour, tone and beautiful stitches. There was  the concept of a piece of work speaking to the creator while relaxing and playing. Kathleen was also inspired by stories of the effort and determination of Guild members, who have been fund raising for the new building at Guild HQ. The excitement and anticipation is building as to what the future of the Guild will be.

Donna had been working on some  5cm squares. The above three pieces are by Donna, and all involve surface stitching.

Jenny had been working on finishing a quilt for a Great Niece's 1st birthday. If we look closely, we can see the free machine quilted flowers that Jenny has been practising.

The quilt is called "Grace's Garden" and is labelled so on the back of the quilt. The label was produced with digitized machine embroidery. Using her digitizing program, Jenny played with the star fill settings, the wreath tool, and the stitch fills  to produce the radiations in the petals.

Annette had been to Western Australia, and had purchased this scarf. From the "Tinctorium" Studio, the scarf has been dyed  with natural dyes from plants from the creators garden.

As our regular meeting place of Guild Headquarters undergoes it's fabulous new upgrade, we, the members of Stitchers Plus, will be meeting at various venues to gain inspiration in our work. Please come back and visit to check out where will be meeting and how it inspires our stitching.