‘INDIAN EMBROIDERY’ talk by Renu Modha

On a bright, sunny but cold day Renu had brought a selection of very colourful pieces to explain her background in Fashion and Embroidery.  After her degree from Lancaster University and having been awarded a placement with Woolmark in Mumbai, she worked for them in the Indian fashion industry  manufacturing shawls in India.

Using her collection of original Indian pieces, she took us on her journey through various parts of the country,  starting in Gugerat with Banjara work which was based on regularly worked patterns and included Shisha mirror work, using recycled Sari fabrics.


Beadwork patterning was also used for very elaborate pieces.

Next; to Rajastan in the Punjab and Phulkari work, with floral designs worked in very close satin stitch.

In Kashmir the men worked most of the embroidery - Paisley designs worked on dark backgrounds which were left mostly unworked to show up the stitched design.

In Bengal the use of old Sari fabrics was again the base for Kantha stitch work – a form of darning or running stitch that pulls and distorts the fabrics into blocks or patterns.

I personally love the reverse side of these pieces showing the patched fabrics and amazing stitching.

In Utah Pradesh – the work is done on lightweight muslin or sheer fabrics using a herringbone stitch worked from the back to form an outline running stitch and shadow work effect on the front.

Mogul work – gold and silver – couched onto silk to form floral designs.

A fascinating journey through textiles by a very talented lady who obviously loves her textile heritage.

PROGRAMME LISTINGS 2012

I am having some trouble entering the 3 month programme onto the Blog so I think the easiest thing for now is to include it here until I get is sorted.

January 14th – A talk by Renu Modha - “Indian Embroidery”.

February 11th – A talk by Liz Almond – “A Blackwork Journey”.

March 10th – Hands-on session with Sue Tyldesley – “INCHIES”. 
If you went to the Lytham and Blackpool branches joint exhibition last year, I’m sure you will have seen their wonderful display of these tiny pieces of work SO we thought we would have a go.

March 17th – Full Day Workshop (Amended Course) with Michaela Smith on “Scrappy Landscapes”.

JANUARY COLOUR RAFFLE - GARNET

                            

Usually a very dark red, but there are other shades as well.

A MESSAGE TO ALL OUR MEMBERS

We hope to see you all at our JANUARY MEETING on Saturday the 14th when we have a talk on “Indian Embroidery” by Renu Modha.

Also a reminder to all committee members that there will be a committee meeting prior to the afternoon meeting.

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL BRANCH MEMBERS

And to anyone else who reads this Blog - may you continue to do so.

The Blog was set up almost 3 years ago to keep members, who couldn’t always attend meetings on a regular basis, up to date with the latest monthly talks and workshops as well as Regional and National news.

We hope it keeps you informed about what goes on at our Parbold meetings.  New members, as well as visitors, are always welcome. 
Come and see us in 2012.

A few seasonal Clip Art images for you – but don’t have too much of these!!

        

      

                                                     AND A

                  HEALTHY AND

Best wishes from Sandra and all the committee.

Saturday 10th December

Due to  an apologetic  Friday evening  phone call from our booked speaker, explaining that she was ‘iced/snowed in’ somewhere in the depths of the countryside, and after many late Friday night and early Saturday morning phone calls between committee members, we managed to put together a very successful meeting for the 26 members who came.

Members had been told that they did not need to bring anything with them for our original speaker, so between all the committee we got together a collection of  threads, glitter and Christmas fabrics, other bits;  cards, scissors, needles; glue, beads, sequins………. Together with paper patterns and finished samples, the challenge was to make a Christmas card or ‘way out’ Christmas ornament.

 

 

In addition I had taken part of my collection of sketch/workbooks for those who might not want to stitch, but just sit quietly and as this meeting was planned to start at 12 noon, we started with a our usual notices which was then followed with a very short talk (sprung on me at the last minute) about my notebooks.

After our packed lunch – with the addition of mince pies, Stollen and chocolates provided by some members (how calorie laden was that!!) the ‘CHALLENGE’ then commenced.

You can obviously eat and drink and stitch at the same time!!

Three of us did not take part in the stitching – me plus 2 others who wanted to read through the sketch books -  and it was amazing to see the innovative ideas appearing so quickly in the hands of our expert members – see for yourselves in the pictures below.

Our Joint Chair – Sue Tyldesley had provided two prizes so that we had one for each category – the  finalists are shown below -

Caroline was the winner with the card on the left which had a very Christmassy feel. The runners up were Carole and Sue Chisnall.

The ornament section had a lot of entries and the 4 finalists are shown – the winner (John) with the green ‘springy’ tree decoration on the left – the three runners up were Sue C’s cracker, Eileen’s silver Fairy and Helen’s gold angel.

We were amazed at the wide variety of items created in such a short space of time.  However the prizes Sue had provided in such a hurry were for ‘ladies only’ – hand creams and the like, so John as winner just had to settle for extra chocolates!!!!!!

After that excitement we of course had our extra special bumper Christmas raffle – 3 large baskets of ‘goodies’ – a truly bumper crop this year with overflowing baskets –

First prize to Karen Hurrell -

Second prize – Pat Bean -

Third prize – Sue Chisnall  who seems to be having trouble containing her excitement!!

Then for the colour raffle –going to Angela McLarnon who was amazed at her good fortune!

I think you will see from all the above that it was a very successful afternoon – something different for us and very much appreciated by all who attended.  A very relaxed and friendly, chatty afternoon – just what we need currently on a very cold and damp day ‘up north’.

NATURAL PROGRESSION RETROSPECTIVE

The group have a retrospective exhibition along with a couple of artists, at Mere Sands Wildlife Nature Reserve- it is on for the whole of December & maybe into the New Year.

Most of the works is for sale & very reasonably priced, extremely good for Christmas presents etc. 
Also their shop features work by Sue Chisnall and Pat Bean – all available  for sale.

The reserve is open every day for walks 9.30am to 4.00pm but the visitors centre, is closed on Fridays.

You can contact the Visitors Centre,Mere Sands Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road Rufford, Lancs
L40 1TG Telephone 01704 821809.