COLOUR RAFFLE FOR NOVEMBER

The ancient Egyptians believed that TOPAZ was coloured with a golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra and that Topaz was very powerful and protected against harm.

SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER

Prior to our afternoon meeting we are holding a coffee morning – as detailed below.  After a talk by the local organiser of the Project last year, several members decided that they would like to form a working group to support the Charity.
They have so far made a total of 45 quilts and 53 knitted blankets mostly using donated fabrics and wools.

PROJECT LINUS  - COFFEE MORNING
AND SALE
AT PARBOLD VILLAGE HALL
10.30a.m to 1 p.m
ORGANISED BY THE BRANCH
IN SUPPORT OF THE CHARITY WHICH MAKES QUILTS AND BLANKETS FOR TRAUMATISED CHILDREN IN
HOSPITALS, HOSPICES AND AT HOME.

AN ENTRY FEE OF £2 INCLUDES REFRESHMENTS
AND THERE WILL BE A WIDE SELECTION OF ITEMS TO PURCHASE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

Visitors will be most welcome to join us for the morning and maybe stay on, to hear our speaker -  Michaela Smith - talking about “Fabric Landscapes”.

NOVEMBER WORKSHOP WITH HILARY NAGASHI

On Saturday 5th November we are holding a workshop entitled  “Fabulous Fibre Fusion” – a day spent experimenting with a variety of fibre techniques to make small samples which can be further developed at home.  There may even be some time to start some stitching SO if you would like to attend and haven’t already booked, please get in touch with Sue Chisnall – I think there are a few places left.

OLYMPIC POSTCARDS–SERBIA

We now have a set of 12 cards completed with one or two more to come in – they all look very colourful and will be on display at the Regional AGM this Saturday (15th October) at Garstang.

We have the flag, national flower, various costume designs and a map as well as various country scenes – mostly taken from research on different websites.

OCTOBER HANDS-ON

Everyone was supplied with a card dress shape which they have to cover for the display of Horrocks style dresses at the Regional Day in Preston next year.
We worked with 2 methods – either printing onto plain fabrics which can be combined with commercially printed fabrics or using Transfer painted papers to create striped, floral or linear designs based on the styles of the Horrocks dresses from the 1950s.

It was a very busy afternoon but everyone managed to get some printing or ironing off done to take home and work on, so we now look forward to the results which we need completed by our February meeting next year – so plenty of time to get stitching.

I suggested that some of us (of the right age) might like to look out old photographs or memorabilia to put together a display for the event on April 28th 2012 – so again plenty of time, but do let me have them  a.s.a.p as some of the old grainy pictures need to be improved for printing – at least mine does!  We all seemed to look the same in those days – not much individuality really.

My picture from 1954 wearing a dress in the Horrocks style made by my mother, photographed in our garden by my father. Those were the days when there was a waist, slim arms and ankles!!

    
Two of my designs – on the left – Transfer paints and on the right – printed and commercial fabrics with pleated skirt front and tie belt.

       
Sue’s two designs –printing on coloured cotton (left) and transfer printing onto synthetic fabric with gathered skirt and button decoration (right).

REPORT ON BRANCH AGM–SEPTEMBER 12th

The Chairman opened the meeting by firstly welcoming everyone and giving news of the announcement of Pauline’s resignation as National Chairman.
The membership was shocked and upset to hear this, as we all know that Pauline has always been a great supporter of the Guild – nationally, regionally and at branch level, and it was agreed that we should send a letter to Pauline expressing our distress and wishing her well.

The annual reports, including finances, were given and it was noted that we had made an overall loss, which meant that we had to increase fees for the coming year.
All committee nominations were verified but it was noted that we still needed a volunteer to run the Library – if you are interested please contact Sue T. or Anne.

After the business meeting we had a talk  from Christine Driver from Empress Mills on the history of this family business which had been started in1927 by her grandfather and is now run by Christine and her two sons.
It looked as though they had brought a full shop of ‘goodies’ for us to browse but before we were let loose Christine talked us through the development of the yarns they used to produce for the selvedge for cotton cloth – different colours for different manufacturers. 
When most of the weaving industry shut down in the UK they turned to the top end of the market and the embroiderers, quilters etc. – yarns had to change to a finer sewing thread and a whole new industry of different weights and finishes of cotton, poly-cotton, polyester (made from recycled plastic bottles), rayon, silk and textured cottons was born.

Christine in passionate about her company and her threads and gave many of us much more understanding, whilst passing around samples of threads and fabrics,  of what had to be done to create some of the fascinating items we take for granted these days.  The company are based in Colne (not too far from us for a visit) but that day we only had to get up and open our purses!
I particularly liked the Kilo bundles of Egyptian cotton which includes offcuts of many sizes – wonderful for dyeing – you might have expected me to say that!!

OCTOBER–COLOUR RAFFLE

THE OPAL – a variety of pale colours but mainly pink.