Category: News
Quilted Treasures
Today, members of CE visited St Fagans for a talk about quilting and to their surprise and delight it wasn’t just about quilts but quilted clothes and related artefacts from the past were also shown.
We were taken back to the 18th century when women wore quilted petticoats. These were the days before zips, hooks and eyes and press studs and ties were used to keep clothing in place. Neither did clothing didn’t have pockets – they were also tied in place. The photo below is of a quilted petticoat and pockets made from recycled quilted fabric.
A child’s skirt from the same period was also shown.
Next we were shown some lovely little folding needlecases and a handkerchief holder that had been exquisiitely made and preserved. These would probably have been kept in the pockets (above)
We then moved onto the 20th century. In the depression of the 1930s cooperatives were set up in 6 areas of Wales to train women in the art of quilting. The quilts were made and sold to the wealthier population and brought in much needed income.
Individuals could create their own design and Welsh designs evolved.
Click here to view a quilt made in 1933 by the Porth Quilting cooperative which was one of 6 quilting groups established by the Rural Industries Bureau to revive the art of quilting in the depressed South Wales valleys.
This bed jacket was made in 1948
and around the same period this nightdress case
In 1951 a large-scale quilting exhibition was staged at St Fagans as part of Wales’ contribution to the Festival of Britain. Billed as ‘the largest, most comprehensive and the most interesting of its kind ever staged in the Principality’, the exhibition showcased the work of 60 contemporary quilters, alongside historic examples from the Museum’s collection and private owners.
This little baby bonnet won 3rd prize in the competition.
This quilt is thought to have been made for a bottom drawer. It has what appears to be a regal centre piece of fleur de Lys and crowns indicating it might have been made around 1911.
And this quilt is more of any every day quilt – well used but also well preserved
A huge vote of thanks to Elen, our host, who took us on a wonderful journey to explore the variety of ways that quilting has been used in the past – backed up with some fascinating Welsh history.
And before we left some of us popped into one of the galleries to see a beautiful 18th century silk gown that is currently being exhibited
Click here to view more examples of the Welsh Quilt Collection.
Dyeing to Get Going Again!
After the Christmas break there was a flurry of activity at Dyeing to Paint today. And, to kick start the day Fiona very kindly gave a demonstration of printing fabric with opaque fabric paints before overdyeing with Procion dyes. She showed some fabulous samples on both fabric and paper.
And, before long there was a wonderful array of fabrics being hung up to dry….
Whilst this was going on others in the group were busy with their own projects.
Isobelle had been experimenting with eco-printing which gave some rather interesting images
Jan was trying out lino cutting and printing…..
Chris was doing a bit of drawing
Keris was stencilling elephants on fabric she had previously ice-dyed
Pat was transforming a lampshade that had been water damaged…..
Mary was trying out the Thermofax
And Glynis was enjoying her 70th birthday with some yummy choclate cake – Go Glynis!!!
Lots of wet procion dyed fabric was taken home and we look forward to seeing the results soon!
Dyeing to Paint Again!
A whole month has gone by in a flash and time to paint again today – what fun!
It was great to see a few of the group taking up the challenge to paint their new aprons – and there were some stunning results as you can see here…
Alongside the apron embellishment Keris was busy getting on with Christmas
Liz was busy working on some fabric that she had dyed last month and she was also having a go with the stencils
Jan was getting her head round a little screen kit she had bought at a recent quilt show
Sally was trying out some stamps that she had made….
Rosie, along with a few others, was on a card making mission
And Fiona was experimenting with Inktense blocks
Amidst the frenzy of activity there were a few took a break to view the St Hilary telephone box which has been decorated to commemorate the end of the First World War and it features felt poppies that were amde by CE memebrs for the WW1 quilt project!
Click here to read about the CE contribution to the 2018 Cowbridge Commemorations
As always, a great day with lots of creativity and good humour. Looking forward to next month already!
Christmas is Coming……
Today was the day the Sissix machines came out for their annual dusting to make festive Christmas cards.
And there were a very talented individuals from the group, and our vistor Karen focused on producing some amazing cards
Caroline used painted tissue, paint and embossing powder to give a wonderful glow to her cards
Corinne used painted paper, fabric, ribbon and embellishments …
And Liz used fabric that she had previously stamped at Dyeing to Paint as well as paper to make the lovely pinwheel. Liz also discovered that she rather liked the black card blanks!
Pat was inventive too – with organza on velvet for her Father Christmas, stencilled trees on fabric and glitter pipe cleaners
And Karen, along with a few others, who hadn’t done any Sissix cutting before – made some stunning cards
As always a wonderful relaxed day creating for Christmas whilst enjoying each others company – what more could you ask for!
Many thanks to Jan, Corinne and Keris for sharing their machines and die cuts
Sew Hot But Sew Lovely!
Yesterdays Cutting Edge session was the last one before the summer break and what a showstopper it was!
Hillary and Stephanie brought their work which will be hung in the Tapestri cafe exhibition
Pat brought a quilt that she had recently completed for her daughter who lives on a farm. She had been to J&B Sewing in Cardiff to long arm quilt it.
Jaci had been working on a challenge with four friends for quite a while. A brilliant idea and stunning results!
Jan showed work that her friend – who has recently passed away- had done. Jan taught her friend how to spin
Caroline was busy stringing fish together and making batik elephants to applique onto a quilt. The fish are made from fabric that Caroline dyed at Dyeing to Paint
Fiona showed a lovely cushion that she has recently completed – all machine quilted
Pat had been to a Susan Briscoe workshop and completed this beautiful little piece of work
Monica showed the crazy patchwork that she completed a while ago. It was supposed to be a needlecase but in Monica’s view is much more practical as a book cover!
And Sylvana was busy finishing off a quilt top
Amanda and Glynis had been busy making baby and children’s clothes that looked delightful
Lesley – Anne put out a call for hand made craft items for a Project Linus fundraising sale that is being held later in the year – these are few items that have already been donated
There is always fantastic camaraderie amongst members and it was lovely to see individuals helping out with various challenges that arose on current projects
Finally, we would like to congratulate Jeannie Duncan Farr, Pat Hixon and Helen Morgan who all have quilts featured in exhibitions…
Helen has a quilt being exhibited at a quilt show in Oregan, USA
Jeannie Duncan Farr and Pat Hixon have quilts being exhibited at the NEC Festival of Stitch
One of Jeannie’s quilts is also being featured in the Quilter’s Guild 2019 calendar!
Time for a short break. We resume in September and look forward to seeing more fabulous work from our members
Happy sewing!
Going with The Flow…..
There was no specific theme to today’s Dyeing to Paint which meant that there was a blank canvas for creativity – and as ever, there were some amazing pieces of work produced.
Fiona brought along some wonderful postcards that she had made for the Tapestri cafe exhibition
And, having exhausted the sea theme she is moving on to experimenting with other ideas. She printed and stencilled on this piece of fabric and over dyed with procion dye which produced a vibrant piece of fabric
Monica also had a go with procion dye. this piece was first stencilled with opaque fabric paint and then overdyed with procion dye
Jan was busy experimenting with a Gelli plate
and had some beautiful pieces of fabric that she had printed on the computer from photos. They will look amazing when they have been stitched into – watch this space!
She is also busy making a collage and after chatting with isobelle she has backed her paper photos with vilene -which has enabled her to stitch and complete her project – well done both – great collaboration and sharing of knowledge and skills.
Liz brought along a piece of work that she has recently completed. It was started when we bought the Wendy Dolan textured landscape book and she has certainly done herself proud with this finished piece. It will certainly be included in the Tapestri cafe exhiibition!
Today she painted a wonderful piece of fabric and a fishy piece!
Sally also printed some amazing fish with a hand made stencil
Keris had bought some die cuts on her recent travels which she was determined to make work on fabric – which turned out to be a success.The neat cut was achieved by applying heat and bond to the back of the fabric before putting it through the Sissix machine
Fran was busy drawing poppies…..
And Glynis was producing some beautiful flowers
We also welcomed two special visitors today. Alison joined us to have a go and did a grand job experimenting with the paints…. and the hairdryer!
And baby Digby dropped by to say hello! Having parents as artists he was more than intrigued with what was going on!
As ever, a brilliant day of creativity and banter. Looking forward to more of the same next month.
Screenprinting at Printhaus
On Saturday 21 October Isobelle and Monica spent the day screenprinting at the Printhaus in Cardiff. They had a wonderful time learning from a great tutor who skillfully led the through the process with good outcomes.
Isobelle focused on an image of the Staffordshire Hoard that she is planning to use for a piece of textile art work that is in the making.
Monica chose to create an orchid image on paper and fabric….
A very worthwhile day – and thinking about a return visit in the not too distant future!