Newsletter 30th November 2023
Hi Everyone
Thank you to all who were able to join us for our 2023 AGM last month as we continue to value your support and encouragement. It is a pleasure to welcome Babs to the committee and we look forward to working with her.
It was such a pleasure to welcome Vinny Stapley to share with us her journey with “Mersea Florilegeum” and how the local salt marsh has inspired her textile adventures. We are looking forward to working with her next year at a workshop.
Jill Kipnis joined us again for a workshop 
hand stitching vegetables or fruit. Unfortunately, she had been ill so we put plan B in action and held our first Zoom meeting in the hall and it went well. Jill shared her design and embroidery techniques via videos and demonstrations, all supported with excellent advice. Carol set up a WhatsApp group especially for the session so that we could send photos of our work, ask questions and receive great feedback from Jill. But most importantly we were able to continue to work together and enjoy each other’s company whilst stitching.
Our best wishes go to Rosy who is unable to join us for the time being. Her Stitchie Fingers slot has been missed and many of you have requested that it continues. Therefore, we thought that some of you would like to step in and demonstrate a favourite stitch or two of your choice. Annie will have a sign-up sheet ready for you at the next meeting.
Travelling Books
Please continue to bring in your travelling books, including older ones, so that I can add them to our collection. See here.
Christmas Tree
Once again, we entered a tree in the church’s Christmas Tree Festival. I have attached a feedback letter from Christine.
Coming up:
December 9th Festive Activity Details as per the poster attached. We are planning to break for a shared lunch at around 12.30. Grey felt for the body parts will be supplied so do remember to bring your sewing kit and any trims that you think you may need. There is a small charge to cover the cost of the copyrighted pattern. Linda has requested that you contact her if there is any haberdashery/trims that you would like her to bring.
January 13th Elizabeth Ashdown: “Passementerie: an endangered yet thoroughly contemporary craft”
January 27th. In house workshop. Skills shared by our own members.
Some events that you may be interested in:
Selvedge Christmas Fair https://www.selvedge.org/products/selvedge-christmas-fair-2023
There are some interesting talks coming up at the Fashion and Textile Museum https://www.fashiontextilemuseum.org/whats-on
Made London 3rd to 5th November https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/whats-on/made-london-angel
A few members who are attending the next residential with Jenny Adin-Christie
have asked for a reminder of the project, so here it is.
I look forward to seeing you on the 9th
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.
Dora
f