Newsletter – January 2026
Happy new year all! I hope you enjoyed the festive holiday and that you’re having a lovely start to 2026.
December 13th meeting recap:
This was a practical session where some people worked on a festive bird design, and others brought their own items that they were working on. The festive quiz was a big hit, well done to Barbara for organising! We had a delicious shared buffet, thank so much for everyone who contributed.
Another big well done to everyone to contributed items to Lorraine’s charity collection, it looked fab.
Upcoming January meetings
Please see attached the poster for the January speaker meeting (10th January, 1.45pm 4pm) which will be with Anne Griffiths. The January in-house workshop is an all-day workshop (24th January 10am-4pm). March workshop signup starts in January, see attached poster. Posters can be found online here.
The sales table are planning to have a January sale, so bring your carrier bags and some coins!
Please would members:
➔ Sign up for one or two activities to partake in at the upcoming member’s workshop (24th Jan).
We are still looking for volunteers to demonstrate from the following list of stitches at Stitchy Fingers from January. Twisted Chain, Sheaf, Romanian, Vandyke, Flystitch, Raised Chain Band, Chevron, Half Chevron, Bonnet, Sorbello, Cross Button Hole, Sailor, Boucle, Interlaced back stitch, Ceylon, Hungarian Braided, Scroll, Cable Plait, Spiral Trellis, Rope, Mountmellic, Chinese Knot.
➔ If you’d be happy to demo any of these stitches at future meetings, then please let us know.
A programme change
April’s sit-and-stitch will have a date change and will be held on 18th April (not 11th April). This is due to maintenance work taking place at the Church hall.
Some events, and online content, you may be interested in:
The 2026 residential trip date has been confirmed by Carol as 13-15th July, returning to Manor of Groves. Tutor will be Jill Kipnis, and the topic is stump work. Diane will be starting a list of those who are interested in going on the trip from the January meeting. It will cost around £430.
Thanks to everyone who kindly shares info that may be of interest to our members.
• On until 8 March 2026. Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop – Fashion and Textile Museum
• On until 11 June 2026 Divine and Mythical Creatures from the RSN Collection & Archive – Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Studios at Hampton Court Palace. Bookings start from £25 per person.
• On until 21 June 2026 Women in Print – William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP. Free admission.
• 19 to 22 March 2026 The Stitch Festival at Business Design Centre, Islington, London.
A request (website updates)
We are looking for someone who might be interested in making updates to our online information i.e. the R.E website. If you would like to support with this, then Dora will explain how this works.
Best wishes, Annie – R.E. Chairman
