PATCHWORK PALS

Jenny W and Germaine (from the Friday group) attended a webinar held by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) where they explained the development and use of the Stitch Bank. The Stitch Bank has been developed by the RSN to collect, demonstrate and preserve stitches used throughout history. The team which were both from the RSN - including the chair - Susan Kay-Williams, RSN tutor Helen McCook, curator Dr. Isabella Rosner, a Diploma student from overseas, a representative from the National Trust and a textile teacher from whom the RSN has received students, spoke to an audience from around world. The stitch bank : https://rsnstitchbank.org If you go to the RSN website, you will see round icons of the various stitches. The first collection shown is: Winter 2023- 25 Elizabethan Stitches. There are currently 375 stitches on the website, 25 are being released every quarter- the next ones are due in March 2024. They are shown on the main page, arranged alphabetically, but you can s...

  This small but perfectly formed group met on Wednesday with much work being completed plus a bit of chat was enjoyed.   Pat’s Rail Fence – Pat did this years ago as an “example” piece.   She may finally get around to finishing it off this year! Pat was playing with the animals from Elizabeth Hartman – the Owl, Rabbit, Hedgehog and Fox.  Still a Work in Progress! Janet was working on some new blocks from the Lyn Edwards new quilt-along being printed monthly in one of the quilting magazines. This is one side of Julie’s double sided table runner. And this is the other side!  It’s coming along nicely, Julie!   Marlene’s Heart quilt, which is her own design from a picture she saw and wanted to make.   Sheila’s Kittens quilt - making good progress Joy’s odd patches for Janet’s Linus quilt.  The original plan didn’t quite work out!   Project Linus is a UK project which started in the USA to provide quilts for children who are in need of comfort....

  Saturday 27 April 2024 10am -3pm @ Women’s Institute Hall (Guys Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers)   Cost: £25 per person Suitable for complete beginners or those who would like to gain confidence in the use of a sewing machine.   Perhaps you received a sewing machine for Christmas, or maybe you have one gathering dust at the back of the cupboard.  Now is the time to dust it off and unleash your creative talent.   If you do not have a sewing machine but are interested in learning a new skill or looking to invest in a new machine, there will be a Janome sewing machine available to use on the day (this will need to be pre-booked at enrolment).   The Tutor will guide you through various parts of the sewing machine, show you how to change a needle, wind a spool and sew in a straight line.  At the end of the course you will take home a simple bag.   10 places are available, so get your name down quickly!   To book yo...

The Saturday group met on 13  January  at the Village Hall, one of the group was able to show the range of work being done.  Joy’s “The Wave” cross stitch project is having the finishing touches added - and it is looking amazing. Well done Joy! Jenny is working on a quilt using English Paper Piecing (EPP). Look at those hexagons! She is currently working on the placement to find the best pattern.  Shelia is working on a quilt based on Kittens (Elizabeth Hartman pattern). Here are some of the blocks, goodness knows how many she has made - but it's looking lovely.  Sarah’s beautiful miniature log cabin Christmas Tree is nearly finished - although Sarah is not sure she will attempt this again! Kate’s Japanese “Sashiko” block.  This is  one of four to be incorporated into a wall hanging (this is the final one) and will complete a project bought during lockdown!  Don't we all have those long standing project!  Anne’s Happy Trails quilt coming toge...

  We met together on Friday 5 January - the first meeting of 2024 and the first for the Friday group at its new venue!   There was a steady hum and chat as we worked on our own projects and discussed plans for the coming year. We all agreed that, in addition to the stitching, the benefits of getting together and bouncing ideas off each other and learning from each other are immense.    The Friday group also welcomed a new member who came to visit this week following our recent Focus article, and we will be pleased to see her next month. The Friday group is getting full now, so we are looking for quilters for Wednesdays and Saturdays.  If that is you- please drop us a line on  swfpatchworkpals@gmail.com and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.   Another exciting part of meeting, apart from the gossip, is that we get a chance to admire the work of the others. Future Plans-   Group trip to Barleylands-  we will be meeting at Ba...