Sewing for Pleasure, Fashion & Embroidery

This ICHF event, held last weekend at the NEC in Birmingham, was attended by Ann, Christine and Judi who all had a stimulating, interesting and expensive (!) day.  The show was very busy and we went on Sunday which sadly meant that some of the stallholders had sold out of their products.

One of the stands was filled with work by Grasby Embroiderers, a textile group from South Humberside, who very kindly allowed us to photograph their beautifully produced and imaginative art.

 

There was also a large knitted installation: Yarnia - based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first of the Chronicles of Narnia.  Here are the Pevensie children:

And here is the White Witch, and Mr Tumnus, all wearing their knitted outfits.

Meeting - February 2016

Ashanti Inspirations

Our first talk of 2016 was very well attended, including a number of visitors.  Magie Relph came to talk to us about Ashanti Inspirations, bringing with her lots of inspirational and colourful pieces of work.

She told us about her numerous visits to different parts of Africa, learning about and studying the wealth of textiles available.  Some of the pieces were so large that Ann and Liz were called upon to assist in displaying them to the members.

The photographs don't really do justice to this work - take a look at Magie's website: The African Fabric Shop  (just click on this link)

Magie explained about the role of the - always male - African weaver and how hard they worked every day.  She showed us one of the simple looms and explained its operation.  As the cloth is always woven in narrow strips, the planning of a complicated pattern takes a huge amount of expertise - and time.

Magie was very generous with her knowledge and answered a range of questions at the end of her talk.  Then it was time to browse the beautiful threads, textiles and beads she had brought along on her sales table.

Also on display were pieces of embroidery from the Guild's Folio of African stitch.  All in all, it was an excellent meeting which provided lots of ideas for members to use in their work for September's Rosebowl competition.