The Stitchery Doers

New Frontage ...

2011-11-22T15:13:00.000Z

Hi everyone - latest pix (on new camera) shows studio with new frontage & view from inside. Getting brighter !!! still another coat to go!!

More studio news ...

2011-11-10T11:20:00.000Z

Have broken the 'back' of the decorating yesterday - the main ceilings of both the office & studio are now painted & all strip lighting cleaned. A nasty job but the finished effect is brilliant white everywhere! Next week the entrance to the studio is being replaced with a modern/UPVC white one & shiny electric shutter ... so hopefully this will add to the brightness. I still have forgotten to take some pix - must try to get some before the frontage totally changes! Being a 'commercial unit' the inside (in the evening) is a little cold & damp but once the flooring & walls get 'textile' covered & some additional heating more regularly used, things should get a bit warmer (I hope!!)

Apparently there's an enormous carnival that takes place every year - next week. May get to see it if I'm there - if not next year. That's all for now so more news next weekend.

Update news ...

2011-11-01T14:43:00.000Z

I hope by now you're all well into making your variety of items - I'll try to pop along & see you this term & get some pix - will keep you posted on this. It's been a few weeks since I've written so here's the latest update news ....
Have now finished 1 coat on the studio walls - pix to follow posibly next week as I forgot my camera last visit! It's looking much brighter & the 'silk' finish to the paint is reflecting the outside light to the inside. Still have the ceiling to do - my next in line of jobs in this section! The office has been emptied ready for me to begin that part of the painting - possibly will finish this before main studio, as removals booked for end of month & desk needs to be put in here first.

Also, some other jobs are taking place by a variety of workmen - some new electrics & a heater (haven't anything & it gets a bit cold), a mezzanine floor has been boarded over (above the studio so I will be able to store lots of things), a new studio front (in white, booked in for 2 weeks time), an electric shutter (so I can easily get in & out - currently there's an oldish 'heave up') & floor covering thru from the office to the kitchen/loo area. Just wish I was able to get there more often but with other commitments here, can only manage a weekly trip for the day.

This shot (to remind me) was from of my last visit - M5 southbound below:

Lime Zest walls ...

2011-09-23T12:18:00.002+01:00

Didn't get back last night til 1.30 (this morning actually!). A good day in the 'unit' that achieved 2 things more than anticipated ie. more painting was completed! I managed to get my lime paint (Lime Zest) which has done exactly what I wanted it to ...

2 adjoining loos & inner lobby next to the sink area all have no natural light as they are positioned to the rear of the unit with the work walls adjoining them. The floor (inherited) is a 'French blue'.

To obtain max. effect from the overhead electric light bulbs, brilliant white has been the choice for the upper section. The turquoise painted last time needed an 'uplift' to brighten it PLUS a colour chosen was one that would overall 'light up' these particular corners. Since the main working spaces adjacent to this entire corner section are also likely to be 'brilliant white' - all colours should co-ordinate well together. Additionally they should look modern & be lively, create spaciousness (without blocking) & not let marks show easily at floor level. Although there is an extensive set of overhead strip lighting, the unit's depth encourages 'dimness' in this corner. Hence a vivid shade that would almost appear to create light was necessary - the 'Lime Zest' shade chosen achieves these objectives very well as you can see at left.

I got on very well with this corner 'wash' area & with time on my hands decided to give the rear wall of my main working section it's first coat of brilliant white. I've chosen a vinyl silk for durability (you can wash it over) + it also reflects light. In projects in the past, I've used it effectively in dim areas to create a lighting 'shine'. Although pic right you can just notice the colour variation now visible on the rear wall: in comparison, the others are less white & slightly dimmed (albeit they are grubby & off-white.) Although I hope only 1 coat of paint will cover, I think 2 will be necessary. However I'm also thinking of some sort of special effect that utilises the breeze block's natural 'striping' appearance & 'patchwork' quality. (More about this over the next week or so.)

Ally Pally SOON ...

2011-09-21T17:24:00.000+01:00

For all who visit here - don't forget the 2011 Knitting & Stitching in London @ Alexandra Palace 6-9 October ... just over a week away. Loads of things to see & do PLUS of special note: a Beryl Dean exhibition (well worth seeing especially if you are interested in her stitched religious related items.

Find your list of TO BUYS ... PLUS get credit cards or cheque books ready !!!

PS - Anyone going on the Saturday may see me there.

Starting to paint ...

2011-09-16T11:57:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I was in my new 'working place' - preparing to paint the walls by emptying the room, removing nails from walls & cleaning etc. Here's the "empty" room (well, full of my bits & + dog asleep) complete with my decorating bits & pieces ... by the way its appx 30' long by 13' wide.

My initial thoughts are: books are likely to be housed on left-hand wall (above) with fabrics/craft etc to right. I'm hoping to stitch at window end & other end (where desk currently is on corner of pic) to have as 'design/drawing end.

This is the view from the window/door end showing mainly the 'middle zone' to work in ... ish !! Table in centre is set up ready for painting over the next few weeks (note dog bed & bowl currently in use - not by me although tempting on occasion!!). The door at the back leads into an office area (which we're using to store cleaning things, ladders etc. There's a loo & kitchen area to left of the office which I've also started decorating. I finished up some left-over house paint (from a few years ago's use) yesterday in the loo & have had to adjust initial colour schemes. The breeze-block walls just gobbled up the paint & took far more than anticipated so during this week I've got to try to get some to blend in as the colour used 'is no more'.

I mention this because the colour used is a deepish aqua shade - shown at left around the sink area. It's almost 100% likely above the aqua band will be white (to maximise light) as will some of the woodwork & some of the painted flooring is bright blue. As you know, I'm not exactly happy working in the yellow band of colours so I'm using this painting exercise to 'play' with a range of colours I wouldn't normally. I'm looking at introducing a bright/citrus yellow shade - this should remove the cold aspect of the blue & aqua & warm things up. Also, the colour (being at floor level) should'nt get too grubby as many scuff marks won't show - will keep you posted over the next weeks.

Me & where I'm at ...

2011-09-12T10:55:00.003+01:00

First - an interesting blog I came across Saturday. I initially thought of Barbara (with her interest in old Singer machines & their accessories) ... then Janet (re her dummy) & then all of you. Have a visit here:

INTERESTING BLOG

& pass the message to everyone.

Next - I'm still here - no house sale yet but the 'business unit' we've bought is beginning its facelift. Other half is having one side (for golfing business & he's doing that) & I'm having the 'shop' part for my studio. Here's a pic (of my section) the first week we saw it as the people before were moving out.

We're now tending to trundle down (complete with a car top-box & car crammed full with 'things') every Thursday or Friday with me now either cleaning walls or painting for the afternoon.

This pic is how it was 'as we took hold of the keys' - all of the furniture you see is now in the other half leaving my 'studio' now empty & pending paint. Last week (along with some other jobs) I steam-cleaned the left & back wall - this week hopefully I'll get to do the rest. A quick coat of white paint should 'spruce it up' & brighten it so next pic should be that. Don't quite know yet how I'll be fitting it up - part of the reason why I'm doing the dec myself - so I can get used to lighting etc whilst in it. It has one window at the end (not seen in pix) with overheads strips & appears to be quite bright even when the lights are off.

Updates ...

2011-08-21T12:54:00.002+01:00

I've been updating some of my web pages - just click to have a look:

Some of your past years projects

My collection

Projects

Hello all stitcherydoers from last term ...

2011-08-08T17:19:00.002+01:00

Hello to all of you. I spoke to Sylvia today & it appears everything is going well (apart from definite venue!) for your new 'GROUP' in the autumn. Please all stay in contact with Sylvia - she's hoping the venue will be the same as before but please check with her prior to the first week of September.

Also - to keep you posted (which I shall do here periodically), I've now taken on the first stage of my intended move/relocation ... a 'studio' is ready to fill up with all my bits & pieces!! It'll take a while as there's some decorating etc to do - but hopefully over the next months I can update you with pix here etc etc. (By the way, the house move's another matter!!!)

Over the recent weeks, I've also spent some of my time updating my computer & have all your stitchery shots now together. SO ..... what I'm going to be doing here is showing any incomplete work/photos I have ... just to remind you of what needs completing in your new term!! Then when you have it finished (or have it finished but I just needed a pic of it) - give me a call & we can arrange a photo session for me to pop along to ! It will also be nice to have a chat & review your new projects!

To start you off - here's some ....

Janice's ?

Viv's earrings

Carol's blackwork

Joan's sweater

Janet's cushion

Viv's ?

Sylvia's bag

Lenny's animal

To start off here's some:

End of Term & Farewells ...

2011-07-03T11:44:00.002+01:00

Well, last Friday (1st July) was our last day of the summer term - lots of items brought along for last discussions & 'holiday' ideas. Also, finished off with a meal after the class to bid farewells until next term. (Will let you all know what I get from John Lewis!) However, it was a sad day as it was my last teaching day with this group ... as someone said "The end of an era".

I would like to say to all past & present students a HUGE THANKYOU TO YOU ALL - you have been the best! And without you all, I wouldn't have been able to have had such a brilliant & wonderful time. I will stay in touch via this blog (as well as others I have planned!) & hope to continue to upload all your work as you finish it.

For those who I haven't been able to personally speak to, I'm hoping to move to another part of the country (the general south Bristol area with a sea view) to try to do all those things I've not had time for .... will keep you updated on progress via this blog or my other one Stitcherydoodaa! Or if you'd like to stay/get in touch, send me an email to:

stitcherydoodaa@gmail.com

By for now & continue with all your stitchings - especially those "unfinished ones' !!

Beading ...

2011-07-03T11:16:00.000+01:00

Here's one of Viv's beaded spoons - made as lovely gifts for friends & relatives.

Embroidery ...

2011-07-03T11:13:00.001+01:00

Sian2 has finished the floral panel & has decided to make it into a 'sampler-style' birth chart for her daughter. Using the 'trellising' idea, she will add name & date to the lower section of the embroidery.

Embroidered panel (contd) ...

2011-07-03T11:10:00.001+01:00

Sian1's panel is now starting to show its direction & well over halfway way to finishing.

Right, a close-up of the area recently working on.

Tapestry ...

2011-07-03T11:06:00.000+01:00

Carol's panel has added stitchery - mostly the central part.

Appliqué & Quilting ...

2011-07-03T11:04:00.000+01:00

Janice has added the borders to her panel & is now adding some hand stitching to the quilted central panel. She will then add some (possibly machine) stitching to the outer borders.

Sewing ...

2011-07-03T11:02:00.000+01:00

Dorcas has nearly finished her first cushion - just the flange stitching left.

Cross-stitch & Knitting ...

2011-07-03T11:00:00.000+01:00

Barbara visited us for our last class Friday, bringing along the cross-stitch panel she's still making. 2 central flowers have their other stitching completed - just all the others left to do! The stitching is likely to be a framed panel once finished.

Barbara has also completed some knitting - her "Ice-Cream Bedjacket" ... lovely idea!

Beadwork ...

2011-06-27T14:35:00.000+01:00

Lenny has made another bracelet to add to her repertoire.

Sewing: Cushions ...

2011-06-27T14:33:00.002+01:00

Dorcas is now inserting the zip on her cushion - a well-stitched job on her brand new sewing machine.

Knitting ...

2011-06-27T14:31:00.000+01:00

Joan's brought in 2 knitted projects finished over this week: the Golfer and the cushion.

Sewing ...

2011-06-20T11:58:00.000+01:00

Janet spent some spare moments sewing in the garden & has made this baby's crib cover.

Cross-stitch & Embroidery ...

2011-06-20T11:55:00.001+01:00

Stitching in 'spare minutes', Sian2 now has a lovely needle case to use.

She's also just begin the 'trellising' on her cushion (lower right). This is really making it 'come alive'.

Cross-stitch ...

2011-06-20T11:53:00.000+01:00

Sylvia's ' Spring ' panel is now complete - 3 others will make up the set.

Sewing ...

2011-06-20T11:49:00.001+01:00

Janice's floral appliqué panel (possibly going to be a cushion) is nearing completion & will soon be ready to be edged. She's also added some ladybirds!

Knitting ...

2011-06-20T11:45:00.000+01:00

Joan's almost finished the golfer - just facial markigns & a feww loose ends !!! Everyone loved him & can't wait til to see him finished.

Patchwork ...

2011-06-20T11:42:00.002+01:00

Lenny is resurrecting some patchwork begun earlier in our year - almost stitched together for the panel needed.

Belated work last week ...

2011-06-20T11:37:00.001+01:00

Tutor's comments:

Sorry everyone, but last week's photos were still in my camera as I'd forgotten them. Here they are all together.

Janice's panel well underway

Joan's knitted baby jacket - finished

Lenny's beaded bracelet

Sylvia's cross-stitch panel

Viv's beaded bracelets

Carol's tapestry

Janet's Ark animals

Cushions ...

2011-06-03T12:00:00.000+01:00

This term we have a new student, Dorcas. She's making 2 cushions from some beautiful embroidered fabric as well as trying out some features of a new sewing machine.

Not having a pattern, she's had to make her own using those measurements of the inner cushion-pad (see above). The next stage is marking her fabric ready for cutting.

Dressmaking ...

2011-06-03T11:55:00.000+01:00

Janice is making a child's dress (New Look pattern) using the seersucker strawberry print (left).

One of the main benefits of the room we work in, is its brightness & spaciousness. Here Janice is able to use 2 tables pushed together to spread out her fabric & pattern pieces for cutting out.

Cross-stitch ...

2011-06-03T11:50:00.000+01:00

Sylvia has now finished the cross-stitch '4 seasons scenes' - ready now for her to frame.

Beading ...

2011-06-03T11:48:00.000+01:00

Viv's been very busy with her beading - several bracelets now completed with a few others in the making.

Knitting ...

2011-06-03T11:46:00.000+01:00

Joan's cushion is almost finished - she's completed the buttons & now stitching them in place.

She's also started another babies jacket - just the sleeves to complete.

Cross-stitch ...

2011-06-03T11:43:00.000+01:00

Sian2 is making herself a new needlecase. Stitching it wherever (& whenever) she has a few minutes spare it's ideal to keep in her bag at the ready!

Quilting & Sewing ...

2011-06-03T11:40:00.000+01:00

Janet has finished the Teddies 'baby holdall' she begin several weeks ago - a lovely present for her relative.

She's also started on the Noah's Ark animals alongside tacking the ark pieces together.

Knit & Stitch Show ...

2011-05-16T11:37:00.000+01:00

That time of year is on the horizon ... 6-9 October 2011 ... and we're hoping to get another coach/minibus trip planned to take us all. Any previous students who would also like to join us, please send me an email to:

stitcherydoodaa@gmail.com

Crochet & Patchwork ...

2011-05-16T11:32:00.000+01:00

It's was lovely to see Zoe back with us again - feeling a little better now the weather is warmer.

Whilst away, one of the projects she made was this patchwork bag using a selection of batik fabrics.

Also, she's making a range of children's crochet caps - for play use they will have a variety of different motifs stitched on after making them.

Beading ...

2011-05-16T11:27:00.000+01:00

Viv is now totally enthused with beading & has invested in a range of beads & small boxes for storing them in! Here yoy can see she's got a variety of bracelets already underway.

Sewing ...

2011-05-16T11:25:00.000+01:00

Janet is making another 'babies holdall' - using a sheer fabric with a lovely bear print.

The fabric is 'lined' with an interfacing to provide stiffness/rigidity & will have a quilted inner for contents protection/care.

As you can see, the fabric lends itself to many other uses - she has some leftover so we'll see what else she makes with it soon!

Embroidery ...

2011-05-16T11:18:00.000+01:00

Sylvia's embroidered small panel is complete & awaiting being framed ... like many others she has done, she will be doing it herself!

Hand & Machine Embroidery ...

2011-05-16T11:16:00.000+01:00

Sian1 finished her small embroidered panel & submitted it to a local exhibition during the Easter break.

She is now starting some machine embroidery - something she's never done before & is getting to grips with very quickly!

Knitting ...

2011-05-16T11:12:00.000+01:00

Joan's golfer is almost completed - the main 'body' is stuffed & finished but awaiting the many 'small bits' like golf head covers, scarf, hat etc.

Dressmaking with embroidery ...

2011-05-16T11:09:00.000+01:00

Sian2 finished her daughter's communion dress during the Easter break ... bringing it along for us all to see. Made in satin, it had an overlay lawn skirt with floral hand embroidery along the lower edge hemline.

Especially well-done (& admired by everyone) was the 'lamb scene' (below) completed at the centre back hemline.

Additionally, her floral embroidered panel is almost complete.

Appliqué ...

2011-05-16T11:02:00.001+01:00

Janice is back from her hols & starting this term with some appliqué - a floral border. She has used Bondaweb for the flowers & leaves - this holds them in place after cutting as well as ensuring the edges remain fray-free whilst blanket-stitching the edges.

Easter Greetings to all ...

2011-04-18T15:31:00.001+01:00

Have a good Easter break everyone & see you all again on 6th May (I think!!!!!!)

Quilting ...

2011-04-18T15:24:00.000+01:00

Janet is beginning the next stage of the 'quilted ark'. After tacking main fabric to the wadding layer, she'll then stitch the lining to it.

Embroidery ...

2011-04-18T15:22:00.000+01:00

Sian1's panel is looking good - the finished piece is to be submitted for a local display so we all hope she gets it done in time! We shall next see it finished.

Embroidery ...

2011-04-18T15:18:00.000+01:00

Sian has now cut out the communion dress for her daughter & is starting the first section of embroidery along the hemline. She's almost completed this first section - hopefully over the Easter break, this will be finished!

Needleweaving ...

2011-04-18T15:15:00.000+01:00

Joan is starting a small project in needleweaving - some covered buttons for her knitted cushion (completed several weeks ago).

Here's the covered padded 'ball' being over-stitched with the needleweaving.

Knitting & Cross-stitch ...

2011-04-18T15:13:00.000+01:00

Sylvia has just finished the "knitted hoodie" - a lovely coloured childs jacket.

She's also completed the first 'season' of her 4 cross-stitch panels. This will now be stored ready for completion at a later date.

Hello Janice ...

2011-03-29T11:30:00.001+01:00

At the moment, Janice is on her travels abroad. If she gets an opportunity to read this, we all say:

"Hope you're having a lovely time & we're looking forward to seeing your pics & fabrics!!!!!!!"

Sewing ...

2011-03-29T11:28:00.000+01:00

Janet is making a childs toy of a quilted fabric boat ... together with some animals. Bought as a 'to make panel' (above), she has first cut out all necessary pieces together with quilting & backing. After pinning the pieces together (lower), the next stage will be their stitching.

Beading ...

2011-03-29T11:24:00.000+01:00

Viv has recently started her next craft of beading. Here are 2 of her samples: upper - twisted length awating completion & lower bracelet.

Knitting & Embroidery ...

2011-03-29T11:22:00.000+01:00

The childs hooded sweater being knitted by Sylvia is finished & she's now stitching it together. Being a 'chenille-style' yarn that is difficult to sew with, she's using a plain DK one.

She has also finished the hardanger panel & added the central beading. Another 1 or 2 panels will be made at a later date to 'match' this one before she decides what will ultimately be made from them.

Embroidery ...

2011-03-29T11:16:00.000+01:00

Sian is stitching a small panel for a local display. The theme is 'New Life' & is based on her interpretation of a natural woodland scene.

Tapestry ...

2011-03-29T11:13:00.000+01:00

Carol has finished stitching the central motif & now beginning the brown outlining of the next section. The room we work in has exceedingly good lighting - making it ideal to work those difficult areas where yarn shades are very close to one another.

Embroidery ...

2011-03-24T15:22:00.003Z

Joan is well over halfway through completing her embroidery - likely to be a cushion when finished.

Cross-stitch ...

2011-03-24T15:20:00.003Z

Sylvia has completed 2 projects: the small pink 'lavender' cushion (above left) and the Christmas door-pull style hanger (above right).

She also bought along something she made several years ago - a set of knitted nursery rhyme characters

Sewing ...

2011-03-24T15:17:00.000Z

Here are 2 padded hangers Janet has just finished. Using them for hanging her jewellery & craft items, she added buttons along the upper edge at specific intervals so now hasn't the problem of finding pieces on the floor!!

Tapestry ...

2011-03-24T15:13:00.000Z

Carol has finally managed to bring along 2 of her completed tapestries. Given as gifts during one of our holiday sessions, we hadn't seen either of them framed. Well done Carol!

Embroidery: Floral Panel ...

2011-03-11T17:52:00.000Z

Sian2 is also nearing the end of her panel - just 1 more flower group before the inner leaf sections.

Embroidery ...

2011-03-11T17:48:00.000Z

Joan is almost nearing the end of her panel - then to decide what she will be doing with it.

Patchwork & Quilting ...

2011-03-11T17:46:00.001Z

Janice's bag is almost complete with a smaller bag (centre) to hold 'goodies' inside. She's just finishing stitching the inner section to the bag's upper edge.

She's also putting a 'strengthener' inside the bag at the lower/base section. This is being made from leftover blind sections (the blue fabric) placed inside a rectangle of the bag's fabric (above left). After stitching & covering (above right), it will be held in place along the inner base of the bag.

Cross-stitch ...

2011-03-11T17:39:00.002Z

The cross-stitch set of panels has now been finished & along with the lid section (right), is ready to be assembled into the circular container.

Hello this term ...

2011-03-05T12:16:00.001Z

We still have a few of our group not present so while you're all away, a special "hello from us all" & for Martin ... "we hope you ankle is mending & trust you'll be back soon".

Don't forget everyone not currently in the group, please stay in touch with others as 'Ally Pally Knit & Stitch' tickets will be on the horizon soon.

Beading ...

2011-03-05T12:12:00.000Z

Viv has just started her first-time piece of beading, finding it very enjoyable & already talking of other projects!

Embroidery ...

2011-03-05T12:10:00.000Z

Joan is now well over halfway through her embroidered panel & has just this body section to complete.

Tapestry, Embroidery, Knitting & Balckwork ...

2011-03-05T12:09:00.000Z

Sylvia has been very busy & completed initial stitching of these small projects.

She's also knitting a toddler's 'hoodie' ...

... as well as completing the Christmas 'roundel' (yet to be decided on its finishing) which has almost a reverse side (right) as beautifully stitched as its front (left).

Quilting ...

2011-03-05T12:01:00.000Z

Janice's bag is taking shape - assembled & ready to be stitched together.

Also, she bought along her completed glasses case - made using some left-over fabric pieces.

Crochet & Sewing ...

2011-03-05T11:57:00.000Z

While Janet has been away, she's been busy starting several projects - here a crochet pink scarf with just sufficient yarn to complete it.

She has also finished the '70s style bag - a gift for an artist (inset shows the sprinkling of sequins sewn in the centre).

Sewing ...

2011-03-05T11:51:00.002Z

This morning Carol is shortening a pair of lined curtains - here she's marking their length.

Spring Term ...

2011-03-03T12:17:00.002Z

Don't forget we're back on Friday after half term PLUS this blog's had a general update - importantly the 'historical section' is headed up at top of page.

Dressmaking & Embroidery ...

2011-02-19T14:34:00.003Z

Sian2 is going to making her daughter's confirmation dress & bought along her heirloom christening dress she'd made several years previous. She is going to use the same embroidery designs on this dress for the new one & bought it along for discussion as well as to show others in the group. Well done Sian ... she's now definitely one of our group!!!

Beadwork ...

2011-02-19T14:31:00.003Z

Lenny bought in the beaded 'Deco-style' bag she begun last year - complete with a plastic canvas inner (for shape & durability). Now finished, she is making the base panel (lower image) for it before adding a fabric inner & long beaded handle.

Knitting & Embroidery ...

2011-02-19T14:24:00.003Z

Sylvia has stitched the ends in of the scarf (left) as well as washing it for further yarn softness & fluffiness.

She has also completed the first cut-away sections of the Hardanger panel, has thoroughly enjoyed stitching it & hopes to make another panel soon.

Additionally. she is continuing with the coloured Christmas blackwork panel.

Patchwork & Quilting ...

2011-02-19T14:20:00.003Z

Janice has completed the first stage of the Celtic knot panel (above left), made a smaller log cabin panel (above centre) & begun another patchwork panel (above right) which she is stitching using the in-built embroidery stitches on her machine. All panels have been quilted - ready to be made into a crochet projects bag.

Beading ...

2011-02-12T12:18:00.002Z

Lenny is in the process of making a beaded lanyard. The main section uses tiny black beads with different varieties of blue/turquoise/white beads along it length at various places. She's also hoping to finish it with beaded tassels.

Hardanger & knitting ...

2011-02-12T12:07:00.004Z

Sylvia has completed another 2 knitted scarves (below left) as well as finishing the small Hardanger panel begun last week. This latter one (below right) is her first time with this particular needlecraft & she's already thinking of stitching another!

Needlelace & embroidery ...

2011-02-12T11:59:00.004Z

Joan now has her buttons ready for covering - she's making them for the knitted cable cushion. Small circles of pop-sock fabric have been stuffed with wadding and made into little balls (here seen at left to verify their fit in the buttonholes). The next stage is to cover them using needlelace stitching.

She's also working on the peacock panel & completing another section.

Tie/dyeing & embroidery ...

2011-02-12T11:56:00.002Z

Today, Janice was sorting out fabric for the next stage of her Celtic knot and finding her tie/dyed embroidered cushion useful for sitting on.

Tapestry ...

2011-02-12T11:48:00.004Z

Carol's collected her firescreen (from a local framing shop), bringing it in today to show us it completed (above). Everyone agreed it looked wonderful and if she was unhappy with it, anyone of us would love to have it! She also bought in another tapestry she recently completed (below left) to discussion what to makewith it. (Keep an eye at a later date!) Her most recent one is now beginning (below right).

Cleaning Cotton ...

2011-02-06T15:39:00.004Z

FINALLY ... the first section of my cleaning process (discussed in recent weeks) has been photographed and is now visible to see. The next stages of the finished products have still to be done. so in the meantime (for part 1), visit here:

Cleaning cotton lace

Embroidery ...

2011-02-04T16:48:00.003Z

Sylvia finished the canvas box (above left) - making it into a toilet roll/tissue holder. She is now turning her current embroidery (right) into another - this one will be circular.

Embroidered Panel ...

2011-02-04T16:45:00.001Z

Sian's panel is beginning to show its layered textures. At the moment she is stitching more green into the work - currently a crochet length is being 'couched down'.

Knitting ...

2011-02-04T16:43:00.001Z

Joan's knitted cable cushion is finished pending buttons for its reverse. These are going to be made using needleweaving or crochet - she hasn't yet decided!

Embroidery, Patchwork & Quilting ...

2011-02-04T16:35:00.004Z

Janice finished stitching the Celtic Knot motif so is ready for next stages. She also brought along her cutting board for use ... complete in a patchwork & quilted bag (below) made by her.

This begun its life as a small quilting sample she'd previously completed (image right).

Adding outer edges of other remnants & a lining, she made it into a very useful and large carry bag- ideal to carry her mat & other stitchery items.

Sewing, Quilting & Beading ...

2011-02-04T16:30:00.004Z

Lenny finally brought in her bag that she'd finished during last summer. It started as a remnant of furnishing fabric which she quilted, embroidred and beaded. A handle was made using a non-used plaited leather belt that exactly matched the main green colour.

Knots & Knitting ...

2011-02-01T15:27:00.004Z

Janice is making a small panel with a Celtic Knot motif made from strips of left-over fabric - after pinning the 'knot' in position, she will hand stitch it into place.

Also during the Christmas break, Janice finished knitting the top she started using some lovely yarn purchased at "Ally-Pally" ... a very flattering style both in colour & stitch pattern.

Sewing & Knitting ...

2011-02-01T15:23:00.002Z

Viv is working on an heirloom baby blanket - found in her cupboard with several moth holes in it! She was able to find a very close match yarn at 'Ally-Pally' last year so is now able to (hopfully) finish this project. Slow & time-consuming, she is having to locate every lost stitch as well as every broken section of yarn. Using some fine safety pins to 'hold things together' while she works, she will endeavour to make the repairs.

Cross-stitch & Sewing ...

2011-02-01T15:18:00.004Z

Sylvia begun a cross-stitch panel during the Christmas break - here nearing completion.

Also, having some furnishing samples in her "store", she decided to make a carry-bag to hold her frames. A lining section (right) is being made which will also have a stiffened base & sides - a long set of carry handles will be made from some left-over dralon (upper left).

Knitting ...

2011-02-01T15:16:00.001Z

Joan is now pinning & stitching the final sections of the golfer - body, hands (lower left) & sweater.

Embroidery ...

2011-02-01T15:13:00.002Z

Sian has been making good headway with her floral panel - almost completing the central flowers. She will soon be starting the 'sampler-style' stitchery but is currently undecided where to position it.

Tapestry ...

2011-02-01T15:10:00.004Z

Carol is just starting a new tapestry - her first stitches in navy (lower centre). We're all waiting to see the framed firescreen - due back from the framer's soon.

Knitting & Beading ...

2011-02-01T15:07:00.005Z

Lenny has just completed her grandson's "Denis the Menace" style sweater & also just finished a twisted beadwork bracelet.

New Term Projects ...

2011-01-26T15:45:00.003Z

Back for a new term, we are a few students less - a New Year result of other 'things' taking place at the same time as the class ... Hopefully we'll see them back after Easter especially when we start to plan a trip to Knit & Stitch 2011! In the meantime to you all ... "keep uptodate with us here and we all hope Martin's leg is somewhat better & he's able to walk around a little".

With the snow + a long Christmas break, students were able to catch up with completing projects as well as resurrecting some old ones. (Apologies for no pictures this week but I forgot to bring along the camera - next week should be a better job!) Janice has made a few small sewing accessories, Viv repairing some beadwork, Sylvia completed several tapestries, Joan nearing completion with the golfer, Sian 2 over 3/4 towards finishing the floral embroidery, Sian 1 discovering another embroidery level!, Carol just starting another kit as well as sending her previous one for framing and Lenny well on her way with another knitting project.

Tutor's info over the past weeks ...

2010-12-31T15:28:00.002Z

As we now approach the start of a New Year, detailed below are some of the projects students were working on at the last week of term ... several weeks ago now! Many have new projects ready to start for the new term and, no doubt, have some others acquired during the Christmas break.

Happy New Year to everyone who visits us here & for all my students (past & present), I hope you all had a good break & are ready to stitch for 2011 - see you on 21 January.

Sewing ...

2010-12-31T15:26:00.003Z

Lenny is repairing her grandson's nappy - a section of velcro has come away so she is re-stitching it.

Embroidery ...

2010-12-31T15:24:00.001Z

Sian's floral panel is now rapidly approaching three-quarters of being completed - a central section shown to left.

Embroidered Panel (contd) ...

2010-12-31T15:22:00.002Z

Joan's embroidered panel is gradually being worked alongside many of her other projects.

Cross-stitch ...

2010-12-31T15:20:00.002Z

Sylvia has completed a small cross-stitch panel on perforated paper & has decided to make 3 others in colours to represent each season.

Embroidery ...

2010-12-31T15:19:00.001Z

Janice is continuing making her Christmas decorations - here's a felt snowman.