National Stitch Day one week early!

Saturday 29th July 2017

Because so many members were due to be away next weekend Rochdale decided to hold a stitch day a week early rather than not hold one at all.

We decided to use the St Andrews Church venue which is where we hold our annual cream tea.

We were pleased to welcome a number of visitors, young and not so young, as well as some members.

You can see our newly completed bunting in the background.

We were aware of the suggested butterfly theme for national stitch day and one member had procured some plastic butterfly shapes which could be the basis for stitching.




Another made a number of "kits" with an appliqued butterfly shape on a painted calico background.
A variety of beads threads sequins etc were provided in the kits so that stitchers could freely express themselves.



A work in progress                                                                                  A completed butterfly

                                                   

Other members simply worked on their own pieces. 

There were cups of tea or coffee available and a great atmosphere prevailed as beginners and experts alike chatted and stitched.

From conversations that took place I think we will be welcoming a couple of new members in September.

All in all a very successful day!!!

As a point of further interest on display near the door was this 'nearly finished' embroidered hanky which Jillian Holden is completing as the Rochdale piece for the NW table cover due to be assembled shortly.

As you can see it features the formation of the Rochdale Pioneers Movement ( Co-operative) for which Rochdale is famed.

A day at Stonyhust College July 6th 2017

Once again Joyce Sankey had worked and negotiated for us all to have a wonderful day out.
We were to see a sample of the ecclesiastical embroideries in the collection of this historic Jesuit college.
These photos of our approach give some indication of the beauty of the buildings.








After an introductory talk about her work and tasks undertaken by the college, given by our host for the day, Susan Pilkington Hanna, we had a chance to visit some of the historic rooms in the college before we were taken to see some of the wonderful vestments.


Here is just a sample of some of them.

          





















Did you spot St Dunstand pinching the devils nose with his red hot tongs?


We had a marvellous lunch and then another chance to see further treasures






It was difficult to get a good picture of this which is a shame. It is the piece that Susan had been working on three days a week since last September and had just finished.

 This is a wonderful piece of early blackwork

I need to check my facts here but I believe this is the piece worked by Catherine of Aragon

I think this stunning piece was my favourite.

Jan Graffies, the curator of the Stonyhurst collection, then showed some of us a few of the non textile treasures including some beautiful 'Books of Hours', one of which had belonged to Elizabeth Plantagenet and some delicate fans.

As you can see this was a very special day.

Thank you Joyce, for organising it.

A day with Nicola Jarvis

July 5th 2017

Today we had a wonderful workshop with Nicola who is a very talented lady and a very patient teacher.

You can see us all beavering away.

We had all chosen one  of Nicola's bird designs, inspired by the work of William Morris, which we wanted to work on.

Group instruction, step by step, was provided as we responded to the call of "Robin""Bluebird" or whichever bird we were working on.

This was the design I  aspired to though this is a large version and done as crewel work whilst I was working with my own colours of stranded cottons.

There are hours of work before completion but you can see from the photos here that we were all totally absorbed and inspired by our day

This is a "bling version of the robin being worked on.

Getting guidance from Nicola

A really satisfying and inspiring day!

Thank you Nicola!

Maybe some completed work will appear on the members worktable in the 2017-2018 year?