Ninya Mikhaila ‘Reconstructing Historical Costume’
Ninya Mikhaila shared how her family history with tailoring and her enthusiasm to create costumes for events at Kentwell House inspired her career in historical costume design. Our members were enthralled by her talk and the fabulous samples that she brought along. You can still follow Ninya on Youtube in the BBC production ‘A Stitch In Time’.
Also a few extra pieces by Helen and Rachael
Wendy Mansfield ‘Vintage Handstitch’
On a hot sunny Saturday 13 members attended a workshop with Wendy Mansfield. Luckily a plea had gone out the day before for any fans that could be used during the day. Accordingly, tables were placed around the four fans that were plugged in around the hall and this made the heat bearable. With plenty of water and drinks to help, sewing began.
Wendy had laid out several pieces of stamped motifs on calico that had been lined with batting, then asked everyone to choose the kit that appealed to them. There were two sizes to choose from, one short but wider, the other longer and slightly narrower that fitted on to a large wooden spool. Wendy explained what the day would consist of with instructions and demonstrations and what the kits contained. Lots of goodies in the shape of lengths of lace, ribbons, buttons, silks and beads.
The piece then became our own as everyone’s kit was different. We all went back to our seats with lots of ideas and eager to start. It was a lovely day amongst likeminded people, talking and laughter was aplenty with Wendy walking around helping and suggesting/encouraging ideas.
Later Wendy showed us her pieces she does (such a lot that filled a table) many made into fabric books – and get ideas from.
I know when we left, we had enjoyed the day. I left feeling calm and stirred to carry on when I got home. I’ve finished one stamped picture (dragonfly) and is now ready for embellishment. It is a work in progress and something that can be done anytime even in front of the telly.
What was nice too is that a couple of people had bought their own work and just wanted to be amongst a friendly group for the day. I think that tells you what a great club we are.
Thank you so much Wendy for sharing with us your hobby. It left me totally relaxed and full of ideas. As it said on the package: slow stitching, mindful and good for the soul and it certainly delivered. Composed by Karen
Alison Hulme Print, print and print again”
Alison supplied hundreds of images for us to screenprint with, and a huge selection of “inks”, actually acrylic paint mixed with textile medium.
She started with a demonstration showing how to build a landscape by first overprinting an image of trees, and building from the top down. Later in the day she showed how to apply a wash of colour to the dry print which made the lighter colours ‘pop’.
Hung on a line to dry, the finished work made a colourful bunting outside the hall!
Emily Tull “A Stitch in Time”
Thank you to Emily for sharing her story through a presentation and samples of her incredible work. Her attention to detail overrides the need to complete an image as you can see in some of her examples.
Kate Pankhurst Crewelwork
It was such a pleasure to have Kate Pankhurst back as a tutor, this time with Crewelwork. Her workshops are very popular due to her excellent presentation, materials and her patience with us. This project was so engaging that very little housework got done this week as attendees just couldn’t put this project down!
Elizabeth Ashdown Passementerie Rosettes
It was such a pleasure to welcome Libby Ashdown back for a workshop to create Passementerie Rosettes. We thoroughly enjoyed working with this endangered craft.
Sarah Boardman “A Scandinavian stitch in time”
Hand and Lock
Daisy, from Hand and Lock, treated us to an excellent presentation on the history of the company, together with lots of beautiful samples that we were able to touch.
Anne Griffiths The Diamond Light Source
It was a pleasure to welcome Anne Griffiths back to share her experience with working on the Diamond Light Source Embroidery. She collaborated with WI members to produce one of the largest art/science projects in the UK, inspired by UK’s national synchroton. The embroideries echoed the images of beautiful diseases and viruses that could be seen with the intense light. This amazing presentation inspired many of us to investigate cell structures further! Here are just a few photos of the beautiful samples that Anne brought along.
