Stitched Primroses - Fran Holmes talk and workshop, October

Fran Holmes, a member of textile group Meniscus, gave us a very entertaining talk about her textile journey from City & Guilds (which struck a chord with many of us) onwards.  We learned about some of the unusual techniques she used to create her highly original cabbages for a C&G module,

and innovative uses for Spunbond (the new name for Lutradur) and Vilene/Vliesoline products, such as the very useful Solufleece for machine-stitched items.

Fran's talk was called, "Stitch, heat, burn, distort", which exactly describes her beautiful textile work, from a gossamer-lace cape and ballerina's dress

to books, boxes, flowers, leaves and primroses in pots,

which happened to be the subject of our day school the following day ....

Thankfully, Fran had made up kits of materials and provided templates for the day school, so we just needed to bring our sewing machines and appropriate threads.  This meant we wasted no time in getting down to the stitching,  

and we spent a thoroughly enjoyable - and productive - day on our flower and leaf making:

We had already painted the polystyrene inner for our tiny pot, so that just left the stitching to be finished at home, and assembly of the final 'plant' ...

We're hoping they turn out as well as Fran's.