Pentagonal Patchwork Bowls: a practical evening with Linda Phillips 27th January 2017

Linda Phillips showed us some of her patchwork quilts and examples of her bowls. She had prepared vylene templates which also served as stiffners and gave us a choice of fabrics; patterned for inside the bowl and plain for the outside (to allow us to add some embroidery). Most of us hand sewed the inside layer during the evening, leaving the outside as homework. 

Stitch clubs change location in March

In March we are moving stitch clubs to a room at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Skellingthorpe Rd, opposite the petrol station on the Birchwood Avenue junction.

Islamic Tiles – Ceramic into Textile with Kate Steane: stitch club 21st January 2017

The members all chose arabesque designs with interwining lines, leaves and flowers. The tiles were created using acrylic paint on tissue paper, backed with white felt; three different types of glue were used.

Shelagh Greenhaigh: practical goldwork evening 25th November 2016

photos by Judy O'Neill

This was goldwork for beginners although the more experienced joined in too. Shelagh gave us a simple design – a five flower with five petals and a leaf which we were to mark out on a piece of silk dupion, backed with cotton beforehand. Using a ring frame we followed Shelagh’s instructions, working with gold twist, purl purl, rough purl, jap and kid (for the leaf). She displayed some of her own goldwork which showed her love of natural things.

Kathy Paton and her Beaded Bauble; Stitch Club 19/11/2016

Kathy had enjoyed Linda Schoffam’s bead design, making the Queen Mary Bauble in 2012; following Linda’s instruction sheets Bailgate members had a go themselves with help from Kathy. Some had the confidence to take the essence and create their own bauble design. 

Ruth Singer 28th October 2016

The above piece was winner of Fine Art Quilt Masters at the Festival of Quilts 2016

Ruth had a background in history before creating accessories inspired by 18^th and 19^th century dress trimmings. Interior design took their place followed by exhibition projects where research has led to hand stitched pieces. She was inspired by the hands of Victorian women prisoners and made some haunting pieces, one of which won the Fine Art Quilt Master’s Prize in 2016. She also did a series which depicted her grandfather's tools. 

Sheila Walker - stitch club 15/10/16; Wrapping

Sheila’s piece in the May exhibition had been given the most votes (see piece on exhibition votes for photo); the brightness of her wrapped string contrasted with the brown wood to which they were strung. She encouraged members to wrap other objects including twigs and stones; a wide variety of creative pieces were produced in this stitch club.