May 2024 WORKSHOP with Tina Saunders “Hardanger 2”
Following the success of the March hardanger workshop, we held another session with Tina Saunders, an RSN-trained tutor. Those who attended the previous workshop, or who have previous experience of hardanger, could learn a new technique with a new kit. Those who need extra help to finish the previous kit, or who are new to the technique could start with a hardanger heart.
April 2024 WORKSHOP with Gill Roberts “Wrapped and Stitched Trees”
The technique of ‘wrapped trees’ is an offshoot of drawn thread work. Instead of just a few strands of fabric being withdrawn, a block of threads are removed and the remaining strands then wrapped and stitched into, using blanket stitch, buttonhole stitch, both plain and textured threads to create the illusion of trees. These can then be further embellished with other stitches such as French knots, beads, and laid over either a plain background, a piece of painted silk, or further layers to create a landscape.
March 2024 WORKSHOP with Tina Saunders “An Introduction into Hardanger”
In our March Workshop Tina Saunders, who trained at the Royal School of Needlework and has worked for the Royal family, returned to introduce us to the Hardanger technique. We each made a heart shape as a foundation for further work for our own designs.
February 2024 TALK with Katie Tyson “A Journey Into Pattern and Print”
Katie Tyson, a very talented local textile artist, based on the Wirral, was showing some of her work. The talk, entitled ‘A Journey into Print and Pattern’ traced her development from painting on textiles to designing materials for sale in made-up pieces for Etsy and exhibition sales. Her work has featured in the Oxton Art Fair.
February 2024 WORKSHOP with Miranda Farby “Exploring Dorset Buttons: Flowers and Trees” (photographs by Michele King)
We explored Miranda’s colourful and modern take on the traditional craft of Dorset buttons.
January 2024 WORKSHOP with Kim Parkman (photograph by Michele King)
We gathered together for a spot of ‘hygge’. This is a Danish word that means ‘a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being’ (Oxford Languages). That sounds like our group! We were told “Come and meet up with others, share a cuppa and a chat and add to your stitch collection.” “So come and polish up your eight-pointed stars and patterning. We have over one hundred to try, if you are keen!” We looked at traditional stitches, based on the famous red and white knits. We slow stitchers developed our own designs, with different materials and threads.
Group samples from Norwegian stitching workshop , January 2024