Mini workshops

(Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)

Monday 28th April

A buzz of chatter and hive of industry greeted members as they arrived at Christ Church this month.  Chris Mitchell led a mini workshop to demonstrate the versatility of plastic canvas - from intricate 3D logs to wide-mouthed birds hiding a chocolate egg -  the possibilities were endless!

The competition to make a hand-made item in purple received a similarly diverse selection of items.  I would have given everyone a prize but Diane Thorburn's fine sampler was eventually selected as the winner.

It was also a chance for members to see all the beautiful contributions for the StArt Project as we laid them out and worried about how we would attach them to the final piece!  This is when several heads are better than one and after much discussion and debate we have a clear idea of how we are going to finish it.  

Next StArt workshop will take place with Jackie Lunn on Tuesday 13th May.

First Stitches

(Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)

Saturday 12th April

What a fantastic workshop!  We had a brilliant morning at the Craven Museum and Gallery on Saturday.

The drop-in session attracted  visitors from far and wide.  Some came for specific advice like the lady who had designed her own cross-stitch sampler but wasn't sure how to transfer it to cloth.  Others wanted to learn how to embellish their own sewing projects with a variety of stitches.  Children of all ages proudly showed off their new-found sewing skills to parents and grandparents.

"If I can stitch, then anyone can!"  Was the parting shot from one lady who had stitched the small sampler above.

Best of all, was the opportunity to sit and talk to people about sewing.  We were even asked if we would be running the workshop every every week!  Sadly this was the last session in Skipton but we will be running other similar workshops at Ingleton Overground Underground Festival in May and  Yarndale in September.

Thank you once again for all the Guild members who volunteered on Saturday, for their time, their patience and most of all their enthusiasm for stitching. Well done everyone. 

Open House

(Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)

Saturday 5th April

We were guests of Helen Peyton, artist in residence at Craven Museum and Gallery on Saturday. 

Our taster workshop was set up in Helen's SMART Gallery and we attracted both young and old (and plenty in-between) with our simple stitches and contemporary designs.  Long forgotten skills were relearned and a few new ones discovered.  For those of us who volunteered for the morning it was an opportunity to chat and pass on our love of craft.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success and if you didn't get the chance to take part, we're doing it all again next Saturday!

Free taster workshop Saturday 12th April 10am - 12:30pm, Craven Museum and Galley, Skipton.