Crewel work with Kate Steane 16th March 2019

This Jacobean style embroidery can be very decorative with huge leaves, fruit and flowers dwarfing deer and other animals; birds look good among the leaves. I tend to use calico with cotton embroidery threads, but traditionally the images were worked in fine wool thread. I don't like using a hoop, but many do - so bring one if you prefer.

It is great if you have a design you want to follow; or if you would prefer to explore the stitches used in this work you could fill in a Jacobean feather, a different stitch for each segment. I will have the feather design available to transfer onto the calico.

You will need a piece of calico (available from the Fabric Corner) the size of your design or just larger than A5 for the feather; I will have a limited amount for sale. You will need cotton embroidery threads in the colours you want to use (I will have some for use on the day) and crewel work needles (sharp point and broad eye; available from most outlets selling fabric). Sadly Anne Roberts is unable to tutor the class, so Kate Steane is stepping in.

Badge making with Vanda 16th Feb 2019

Three of us were shown the melding of thin slips of shiny plastic onto backgrounds using the slow heat of a laminator; these were then cut and pasted to produce one type of badge. 

Laser printed images on OHP film were fed through the laminator with heat reactive shiny film; the colour adhered to the laser print, so black became silver or whatever. Then some of the images were coloured with permanent markers. Each image was then backed and placed on rim edge papers and fed into the badge making machine. 

These intricate processes have been explored experimentally by our tutor Vanda Taylor Nottingham.  

Badge Making stitch club with Vanda Taylor Nottingham 16th Feb 2019

This stitch club has been relocated to Thomas Garret Heritage Rooms, at an Artisan Craft Fair, in Heightington 10-3. For anyone travelling from the South part of the B1188 around Branston will be closed from Friday evening to Monday morning.

Vanda is bringing loads of things, but we will need our own little scissors, a couple of pots, a ruler and a cutting knife. 

We will use the opportunity to advertise the stitch clubs and Bailgate Emboiderers' Guild.

Vanda's latest badges