Ten of our members spent the day at the 'Gathering', a recently formed organisation uniting clubs of stitchers from all over Scotland. There were demonstrations, stalls and workshops, and a display of member's work on the theme of the Stone of Destiny. There was also a raffle, and our members did very well, Kate won a Husqvarna sewing machine!!! Hopefully more of us will make it next year.
Today was our last meeting, which was well attended (for an AGM!), we elected some new committee officers. Minutes will go out to members shortly.
The subject of this year's challenge was 'Flowers', and as you can see a really varied number of embroideries were brought, it's lovely to see the different interpretations of the subject. The winner was Joan with the gorgeous Little Rock garden. What a brilliant idea, and the stitching was so delicate. And no weeding to do! Tea and lots of scrummy cakes followed.
Hope everybody has a lovely summer, and will see you all again on the first meeting on 18th September.
Such an intriguing title, we didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be a fascinating story, sprinkled with humour, of Sue's life journey starting with working in hospitality and ending up running her own soft furnishing and upholstery business. She moved around a bit, and in Marlow met her husband, who was in the Royal Drgaoons. This entailed more moving around, a placement in Düsseldorf, and then Deepcut, Dunfermline and Scone. During these meanderings she took a City and Guild course in soft furnishings, learning how to make curtains etc. along with that course she did upholstery, and it became her principle love. She made the Victorian footstool below for the course, the fabric being crazy patchwork.
She particularly delighted in the old ways of the craft, using horsehair and tacks rather than foam and staples. The squab cushion below demonstrates how a piece of material can become a solid item when stuffed with horsehair and lots of stitching. Sue had brought along some of the tools of the trade.
Below are some unique chairs, the green one has a lozenge in the top of the frame which Sue replicated on the seat with trapunto. The white chair is the subject of the title. It is a spinning chair made with scraps from bridal gowns, and the tacks are all covered with pearls. There are two rows of pearls, as a nod to her husband's promotions, as apparently a captain's wife can wear a single string of pearls, but a major's wife can wear a double string!
Sue continues to run her soft furnishing and upholstery business, and also teaches upholstery.
