Newsletter – 31st December 2024
Happy new year all! I hope you’ve had the best time you can enjoying the festive period.
December monthly meeting recap:
The group thanked Dora for the wonderful work she has done as Chair over the past five years.
Annie and Diane gave speeches to commemorate the impact she’s had for our group, then Dora was presented with some flowers, sweets and a card. We are glad that she is staying part of the committee in an I.T role and for all the expertise she brings.
We had a lovely shared buffet lunch and the chicken scratch activity led by Carol was a big hit. 
Using chequered fabric, we personalised our embroideries with different threads and embellishments (see Layla’s work on the right).
Carol also led us through a quiz which was both fun and challenging, we all learned some new sewing facts! £82.50 was taken in donations for fabric, which will be given to St.
Francis Hospice.
There was also the opportunity to sign up various activities on offer at the January in-house workshop (see below).
Upcoming January monthly meeting (11th January, 2-4pm)
The library will up and running in the new year. Our guest Rob Jones will be speaking about Japanese sashiko textiles, and will also be selling items. You can signup for the January workshop activity.
If you would like to join in the Stitchy Fingers session, with Julia
demonstrating chain stitch, just bring along a hoop with some fabric, e.g.
calico, and a basic embroidery kit.
An exhibition at Havering Museum has been arranged to commemorate our dearly departed founding member Wendy Pigeon. We have been offered two secure display cabinets to hold Wendy’s work, which will be put in place in mid-January for between 6 to 8 weeks.
If you have samples of Wendy’s work that you’d be happy to loan to the exhibition (e.g. travelling books), then please bring these items and give to Dora at the meeting.
Upcoming in-house workshop (25th January, 10am-4pm)
There will be no cost to members for the January workshop but there are some items to bring depending on the activity you are doing. Several of our members will be leading the activities. If you have not yet signed up, then please signup at the January meeting or contact romfordembroiderers@gmail.com by 11th January with your workshop
preference so that we can plan numbers.
Activities and what to bring (don’t forget your lunch!)
N.B. Cord winders will also be available, so if you would like to have a go then bring your own wool to make some cord.
1. Or nué, led by Joy:
Small embroidery ring
Piece of fabric: can be cotton, linen, silk, calico
Second piece of backing fabric
Chenille (large hole) needle, size 12
Pencil
Sewing kit
Separate scissors for the gold thread if you prefer
Some DMC stranded cotton
In addition, bring the following if you have them (Joy will provide these materials):
Gutterman thread no 488 or close in colour (gold)
Wax
Imitation Jap thread (Joy will bring around 2m each).
Design – Joy will bring a design for you to copy but you can bring your own
small design (about 1.5” square) if you prefer.
2. Organza flowers, led by Layla:
Small scissors
Beading needle, and a sewing needle with a large narrow eye.
3. Personalised six panel skirt pattern, led by Debra:
4H pencil (HB is too soft)
Large paper scissors
Tape measure with inches and centimetres
Set square and ruler
Metre ruler would be great, but not essential
Eraser
Calculator (you can also use the one on your phone).
Meetings and trips
Members are visiting – if you would like to join, then please let Dora know.
Friday 7th February, William Morris and Art from the Islamic World Exhibition.
Friday 28th February or Saturday 1st March. Broderers Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery.
Some events, and online content, you may be interested in:
Thanks to everyone who kindly shares info that may be of interest to our members on WhatsApp, as it has been very useful.
Romford Embroiderers Instagram is available to follow. Photos and posters will be added there.
The Patchwork Collective: 150 Years of Liberty | Liberty Dora shared this link which may be of interest to the patchworkers amongst us.
Wishing you all health and happiness for the new year,
Annie Peardon Sayer
