Sitting watching the tree outside my window lose all its blossom in a howling gale it doesn’t feel much like spring. I have to remind myself that September is not that far away. This is when we, with fingers tightly crossed, plan to hold our next exhibition in Woodbridge, postponed from last year. We had better get those fingers uncrossed and sewing. Which isn’t to say that the textile artists of Beyond Stitch have been idle throughout the last year of lockdowns. Although we kept meeting in gardens as long as we could the winter weather finally won. We have just recently been able to start to meet again and realise how much we value the encouragement and sharing of ideas and opinions that happen at these meetings.
Apart from sewing, of which more later, the clacking of larger needles has been heard in some households.
Trudie’s jumper is described as “unpicked in Lockdown 1, started in Lockdown 2, finished in Lockdown 3”. But very chic it now looks
Sue has been a little more prolific having completed 2 jumpers and a very long cardigan.
Tres has gone above and beyond the call of duty and knitted 2 charming Christmas elves for her daughter whom she describes as 39 going on 6.
Enough of knitting , let’s get down to the not so knitty gritty. Sewing! Finishing cushion covers has been a bit of a feature..
A lovely canvas work piece by Mandy:
And patchwork cushions by Tres, again for her lucky daughter.
And another canvas work cushion by Sue… just some old crockery
And Ed’s vibrant crossstitch could well be a cushion
Talking of cushions Trudie has been working on a seat cover for an unusual chair rescued from a slow deterioration in Sue’s garage…
And Marion has gone back to nature using fungi and their spores and pressed leaves to create an Autumn themed book.
She has also participated in an Embroiderers Guild challenge with a secret garden theme.
Mandy has also completed a lovely recreation of an old door which is the entrance to a friend’s shed. She has given it to her… another lucky recipient.
It has obviously been a time for giving as Sue completed a 21st birthday present for a very dear friend using gold work techniques…please note COVID secure in the garden.
And Ed has made a very cute fox for her granddaughter
We have of course also been doing work for the upcoming exhibition…here’s a taster of one of Trudie’s pieces, a part of a very unusual work. You must come and see it in September.
Tres has been loving doing some traditional embroidery, the stitches mainly influenced by Crewel work techniques. She has been persuaded to put them in the exhibition as they are great. Here’s a taster…
Well that’s all for now. We hope you have enjoyed our potted history of out creativity lockdown. All that remains to say is please come to our exhibition.
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