Category: News
All Sewn Up
Today was our last session of the year and, as always, members were full of energy and enthusiasm for all things sewing!
There were some amazing quilts shown after ‘morning prayers’. Kerry had bought a panel in Florida and turned it into a work of art with a beautifully blended border fabric, neat machine quilting and the inspired addition of hot fix diamante. We are looking forward to exhibiting her piece at our forthcoming exhibition.
She had also been experimenting with Inktense pencils
Caroline brought her recently completed quilt into show us – intricately paper pieced and machine quilted. A wonderful family heirloom.
Amanda showed an equally stunning piece of work lovingly made with all her fabric scraps – and a joy to behold both front and back
And Jan, whilst not with us today, had sent on a photo of a quilt that she had completed whilst pet sitting in Brighton
Jaci demonstrated her talent at crochet when she showed some little plant pot holders.
And Monica showed a small sampler that she was hand stitching – which is a bit of a first as she is not usually into slow sewing!
Pat was busy finishing another one of her lovely leather bags….
Chris was sharing her knowledge with Caroline to help her complete her denim bag
And Janet was busy checking out the Sissix machine to see whether it would cut foam sponge – and was thrilled to find it did. A good job that Salinder brought so much of the stuff with her then!
Finally, it was lovely to be able to welcome visitor Sue Toner who came to see what we all get up to – hopefully she will be back with us in September.
We now have a break and reconvene in September. Until then, wishing everyone a lovely summer.
Marbling in the Sun!
What an amazingly sunny day today – great for drying!
There was a frenzy of activity when the new marbling inks appeared, with samples made on paper and fabric.
And whilst this was going on others were busy on various personal projects. Mary was printing with a collagraph image that she had made
Corinne was revitalizing a picture that had faded in her conservatory
Pat was busy blockprinting trees
Keris was printing and stencilling the birds and the bees
and Liz was focused on elephants
So much to do and so little time!
Another great day and now we have to wait until September before we reconvene again! Happy holidays everyone
Stitch Happy!
Another busy day at Cutting Edge with plenty of projects on the go and some lovely pieces of finished work on show
Sally was focused on finishing her denim bag and keen to model it as a flak jacket in case she decides not to finish it! Wonderful shells appliqued on it
Kerry had finished her denim bag which features Spiderman
And being a Red Devil’s fan she had made some fabulous place mats
Glynis had been on a mission making bags – which as ever, were lovely
Ruth, who was making her first visit to the group was engrossed in beautiful crewel work
And Sheila’s family of animals is growing by the minute!
Salinder had finished a small wall hanging that she started at Dyeing to Paint – and which will be included in our forthcoming exhibition
Helen showed her completed giraffe quilt – lovely bright colours and as always beautifully finished
And Julie has been making in roads into the embroidered tablecloth – which is looking fabulous. She has taken it home again this month to continue embroidering the Welsh ladies. And we will be looking for more volunteers to continue the process next month.
We’re looking forward to seeing Fran’s next project completed – what a lovely dog!
Always a great variety of talent on show and always an enjoyable and fun day with lots of chatter and good humour. Well done folks – what a great team of ladies you make!
A Normal Day at the Office!
This month’s Cutting Edge was the usual frenzy of activity ranging from a focus on individuals current projects, an update on Make Do & Mend, the collection of more sanitary pads for India and the gathering in of the sea themed work for the exhibition. And. of course time for a chat and a cuppa to catch up!
Truda and Brenda
Despite flagging with the tedium of sewing sanitary towels and bags some members had soldiered on and produced more – demonstrating what kind and generous a group we have.
After making a fantastic contribution Brenda handed back the table cloth that is being embroidered as part of the Make Do & Mend project – and Julie very kindly took it home to continue the work.
Rosie brought in the little pram that she had bought from Sally a few months ago – beautifully renovated and with a lovely little doll inside. We are sure that her grand children will love it! And, Sally was thrilled with the transformation.
Monica explained the process of making the denim bag to those attending the session on Friday
Monica’s bag in progress
And some spent the day getting their bag panels ready…
Chris Dobson
Show and Tell was amazing – starting with a group photo of all those who had recently made the Beatle bag with Jan – absolutely fanbtastic!
And although Kerry had been away on holiday she had managed to make a cushion, a quilt and a lovely fabric mosaic wall hanging
Lesley Anne had been to a workshop at J&B Sewing in Cardiff where she had made some lovely greeting cards. She also made a card for some special friends
Lesley showed a top that she had made at a workshop
Pat was wearing a smart pair of espadrilles that she had made at a workshop in Cardiff- and surprise, surprise – they matched her bag!
Monica showed the latest page of her India book – which was a collage of a peacock made from silk waste. The photo of the peacock she took it from was taken at the Kew orchid festival in 2017 which was themed on India and the peacock at the festival was made from fresh orchids and greenery.
Truda showed a beautiful cushion that she had made from recycled fabric
Rosie showed a quilt that she had finished – started quite a while ago and then she decided she didn’t like the colours. Now it is completed she loves it!
And Caroline L’s quilt is a work of art – not yet completed but looking absolutely beautiful – all paper pieced!
Jaci showed the group a stunning little book that she had made with other members of the Beechwood Stitchers – of which she is a member
Fiona was busy stitching down her flowers….
and Julia was busy finishing a Hungry Caterpillar quilt for her little 2 year old grandchild
So…. a nothing out of the ordinary day!
Rust Dyeing with Tea and Other Things!
Today at Dyeing to Paint we dipped silk scarves wrapped around rusty things in tea bags – some Earl Grey no less – and waited with baited breath to see what the effect might be. More on that next month!
?
Salinder’s tea dyeing
And then it was back to the print and paint
Monica had made some cards from book pages that had been stencilled and there was an idea that we could make some to sell at the exhibtion in September. So……Rosie and Monica were busy printing and stamping little robins
And then there was the suggestion that sea themed cards would work well so there was experimentation with the sea stencils. Liz created some lovely images and Monica tried paint and stencils on organza – which gave a lovely shimmering effect
Liz’ shell designs and a jelly fish under organza
Meanwhile Caroline was creating some wonderful Welsh dragons on bags – destined for the country market in Cowbridge
Janet was busy creating some lovely fabric with print blocks
as was Fiona
Keris’ leaf fabric looks amazing
And Monica was overdyeing some fabric that she had previously printed
Just another fab day at Dyeing to Paint with great expectations for the tea dyeing – watch this space!
Isobelle’s tea dyeing with rusty objects
Printing Without a Press
Today a few members ventured out to the Cardiff Print Workshop to learn about linocutting and printing without a press.
After a short introduction from Wendy about the tools and techniques required we were off creating our various designs
And it wasn’t long before the print room was buzzing with enthusiasm to see how the designs would turn out
Rather well judging by these wonderful designs on paper and fabric
Fiona’s tulip – one of many designs – Love the chicolle
Keris collection using chicolle and block of paint colour
Monica’s practice block as background with bee block and chicolle
Maggie’s colourways
And Monica’s samples on fabric – the tree design belongs to Corinne
A huge thank you to Wendy for sharing her resources skills and for a wonderfully therapeutic day!
Beatle Bag Workshop
The Beatle bag workshop took place on Friday 12 April and as ever, there was some beautiful bags created.
Jan led the day and gave an introduction to get paticipants started.
and then gave little demos throughout the day……
which helped keep everyone on track, as did having a very organised workspace like Pat’s
There was quite a bit of colour coordination going on too with Fran matching her fabrics to her attire!
And, by the end of the day, apart from having to apply binding there were quite a few bags completed.
Next month’s show and tell should be fun!
