Friday 17 February 2017

Forthcoming Workshops

Our Workshop and Playdays program for the year is shaping up, and promises a diverse range of activities;
Offerings include:
  • Shibori dyeing with Shuji Yamazaki
  • Alabama Chenin style stitching with Samantha Dryden 
  • Crazy patch sewing caddy or bag with Wendy Saclier
  • Silk vessels with Anne Dickens
  • A playday activity led by Robyn with spun textiles such as lutrador and tyvek and the embellishing machine
  • A possible workshop with Christine White - still to be finalised.

Evening of delights

Our first meeting of the year was one of great visual delights. Members shared their response to the Summer Challenge "Remember when..." , and a number of other items inspired by a range of personal circumstances.





Carole showed a knitted scarf based on short rows, and also a storage basket inspired by Bette's exhibition basket, and made from recycled items - a basket from The Green Shed covered with a recycled jumper, with attached  memorabilia from family and friends. Her father's saying 'A wigwam for a goose's bridle' was the inspiration for the title of her basket.











 

Suzanne' response to the Summer Challenge was the memory of sewing at school. She displayed  a variety of items, including an apron, skirt, blouse and tray cloth









 


Alyson dipped into her stash for her inspiration for the Summer Challenge. Using fabrics from the 50s and 60s, she applied applique,stenciling, hand embroidery and intense pencils to bring to life fashion memories.













Barbara's colourful piece inspired by Aboriginal art at the National Gallery reflects her interest in the shape  and form of the artwork . She included the use of the embellishing machine in creating the work









Chris's poncho displays wool felt applique, inspired by the 1960s 'flower power', ponchos, the colour orange and the work of Wendy Williams .













'Remembering when..., Dell generously shared and explained the themes and construction of many of her quilts.

She also exhibited a clever way to mend a split in the side of her pedal pushers, using varying sizes of fabric circles with embroidery and beads.

Circles continued as a theme for her necklace made of felt pieces weighted with coins, and embroidered.












Dell's final piece was a mat made of plaid and check fabrics which were cut into strips joined,  and then and crocheted with a large hook to create a very sturdy piece.

 




Jenny's inspiration came from the variety of fabrics she used to create this quilt of  3" squares. Careful selection and clever cutting of fabrics created colour grading across the piece.


Bette's piece was family-inspired with  tapestry pieces done by her daughter used as a panel for a bag, and as a replacement for the top of a stool made by her father






Following a workshop on recycling denim, Carol had made this covered box from jeans worn by her daughter as a teenager. Such memories!


What a wonderfully creative start for the year, with so much more to come!