Member work

Member work

Monday 14 August 2017

Summer School with Fay Maxwell to make a slashed bag

Day 1

We started by delving into our stashes of fabric - we were told: don't be too selective, just pile on the layers of offcuts and remnants, using lots of colour.  It was great fun!!

Then we pinned on the top fabric, threaded up sewing machines and went for the curvy lines, spirals and grids ....


We were making good progress by lunchtime, and in the afternoon, we completed the stitching and started slashing - cutting channels between the rows, taking care not to cut through the bottom fabric layer.  This was much more difficult than anyone anticipated, and hard on the fingers!



Evening - homework! We were to finish the slashing, then wash the whole piece and BASH it hard against a brick wall (careful not to wake the neighbours!).

Day 2

The next step was to cut and fold back the layers in each grid square or diamond, and hand stitch to hold them in place.  This was surprisingly time consuming.




With all that completed, we could then start to line the bag.  Fay had a good method for doing this, which would ensure that all the seams were neatly enclosed, but it took some getting the head around - origami but not for beginners!  n.b. Don't forget to insert the magnetic fastener before making up.

The end result : A stunning and original evening bag!





Thursday 3 August 2017

Leamington Library Greeting Card Exhibition now on ...

The exhibition opened on Monday and has attracted a flow of visitors admiring the creative work on display.  Members produced over 80 cards, which demonstrate a variety of techniques, such as machine and hand embroidery, beading, fabric painting, printing, felting and using metals.


The exhibition will continue until 13th August, and coincides with National Stitch Day tomorrow, Saturday 5th August, and also 'Art in the Park' week-end just across the road in the Jephson Gardens.

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to put a stitch or two in a piece of work, which when completed will be a beautiful butterfly.

The exhibition is open during normal Library hours, so do come in and have a look if you can.

 

Finished sample

Thank you to member, Helen Bright, for sharing photos of her beautiful, finished 'vintage' postcard, started at the July workshop: