Saturday 9 February 2008

February Meeting

Ann Bradshaw was the guest speaker on the night and she showed how her work has progressed from traditional to contemporary patchwork.

Ann showed her early pieces and how some of her City & Guilds pieces were designed.

Ann then displayed samples of her dyed fabrics and told how they were done e.g. which colour dyes were added. She passed around samples of her dyed pieces so that people so see clearly how the fabrics were dyed, stamped, foiled etc.

Ann also showed how to use thermofax screens, a method that most members probably weren't familiar with. In the picture below Ann is demonstrating how easy it is to further enchance dyed fabric by using the thermofax screen to apply images.


February "LOVE IS" Challenge:

There were 8 entries for the "LOVE IS" challenge,which was very apt considering that Valentine's Day is nearly upon us again.

There were two winners on the night as there was a tie with the votes. Claire Lynch and Grainne O'Connor both won.

The quilt made by Claire Lynch was made from a number of different blocks which incorporated applique, suffolk puffs, embroidery etc. A border of appliqued hearts finished off the quilt.

Grainne made a wall-hanging which she said showed the four stages of love (starts out great and then fades a bit). The hearts were made using the chenille technique. The background fabric was free machined stitched with words all relating to love.

Rachel Banting entered a denim cushion with a log cabin appliqued heart . The fabrics used in the heart were from clothes belonging to her daughters when they were toddlers.
Teresa entered a cushion which was made from a Valentine panel.

Paula Rafferty entered a log cabin pieced cushion cover which was done in two colours - white and hot pink which was very eye-catching!


Kate O'Donoghue entered a small sewing bag. This bag was made from a pattern in a recent edition of "Popular Patchwork" magazine - it was from a folded piece of fabric which then formed a number of pockets.
Gillian Sheehan's piece which had machine stitched into the message that "Love is Tea in Bed".

Gwen Cottiss entered a pin-cushion, this was made for a friend of her's which is the reason it's in a plastic bag in the photograph.

Tracey Watson entered a sketchbook cover which was based on her love of walks by the sea.

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