Christmas Party

 On a day where the countryside looked suitably Christmassy, all white and glistening with frost, we had a few hours full of colour and good food. Pat made beautiful table arrangements and it all looked so festive and welcoming. A lovely buffet lunch provided by our tried and trust caterers, with salmon,  coronation chicken, ham, salads, quiches and potatoes had us thinking we had no room for more until the four puddings came in, and some people managed to find space for a bit of all them - no names will be mentioned!

We then played a couple of quizzes, (thanks to a eg for organising them) pass the parcel, name that (Christmas) tune, and the highlight was a 'recycled' fashion show. We had brought in sparkly and gorgeous fabrics and trimmings which were laid on table, and we divided i to team of four. One member was picked as the model, and the other members had to raid the tables and dress the model in items snaffled from the array. Then they each did a catwalk sashay accompanied by an hilarious commentary of another team member. We had a Roman emperor (who won the prize), Worzel Gummidge, a green witch, Fatima from the kasbah, can't remember what the other two were, got lost in the laughter (sorry). Well done Nancy for thinking this one up, it was a lovely way to finish for Christmas.

Stencilling Fabric and Making a Lampshade or wall panel x day school with Astrid Weigel

Debbie's report on the day school - thanks Debbie!

We were asked to draw a design onto paper to make either a panel or lampshade, once we were happy with it we had to re-draw the design onto a freezer paper template.
We then had to cut out the design and iron the freezer paper onto the calico, wax side down, to temp. stick it to the fabric.
Then came the fun part! Painting in the template using fabric dyes. These we're then dried before removing the freezer paper. Once it was completely dry the fabric was ironed to 'fix' the dyes.
The following the instructions, and a fair bit of help, from Astrid we made the fabric into the lampshade or panel.
I really good day where everyone went home with a finished item, for a change!

‘Reverse Applique’ - day school with Morag Gray

 On yet another dismal day of interminable rain we cheered ourselves up using lovely fabrics to learn this technique from Morag. The first four pictures below are examples of Morag’s work, where she shows how to make the appliqué 3D and textured.

We were provided with a piece of velvet which we trimmed and edged to stop fraying. The idea is to layers contrasting fabrics on the front of the velvet and cut through them after stitching to reveal the velvet. The inspiration of Morag's pieces was Moroccan tiles. We cut a piece of paper to make our design shapes on, and then transferred the design to the back of the velvet. We pinned our contrasting fabrics onto the front, and machine stitched from the back along the lines of the design. (I finally discovered that using metallic thread in the bobbin, instead of on top, took all the grief out of using metallic and sparkly thread - thanks, Morag!)

Once we had attached the fabrics together we started to cut out some holes to fray and decorate. Most of us didn't get much farther, so I have only posted some of the works in progress below as nobody finished their pieces. I hope to add some finished work as when they are completed.

Thanks to Nancy for the lovely cakes!

Print and a pattern - a Journey: Talk by Astrid Weigel

 Today's talk was something a bit different, as it was about the conception and creation of design for textiles. Astrid took us through her career journey from watching her mother at the sewing machine making clothes and toys, inspiring her to a career in fabric. After leaving school she spent a year doing an Art Foundation course, which helped her choose her path. She did a two year course in fabric design and developed an interest in furnishing patterns particularly.

She has worked for luminaries such as Sandersons and John Lewis, before going freelance, producing designs for curtains, cushions, wall hangings and more. She had a break to raise her family, and then started again by having a website and Etsy shop, and now sells her work all over the world.

The process starts with drawings on paper, and making colourways, to screen printing. Astrid had brought along examples of the process, some of which you see below. Her designs are modern and very fresh, clean colours. Astrid will be taking a day school shortly where we can make a lampshade in the style of the one below. More of her work can be seen on her website www.astridweigel.com