JETS' Suffolk Puffs

The girls had previously marbled a cotton bag in their September session using the shaving foam method that Sally showed us.

This month they learned how to make Suffolk puffs (also known as yo yo's). It proved a little tricky for small fingers, but they persevered and each managed to make several which could then be added to their own bags. The puffs needed ironing flat first.

They will be finished off at home, with the panel being stitched onto the back of the bag.  We will take some photos at our January session to show them off to everyone.

So now each member of the group has a special bag to carry their JETs work book in.

The girls decided that Suffolk puffs are a lot like Marmite - you love them or hate them!!

A successful day at Compton Verney Textile Fair

We were delighted to find on arrival at Compton Verney that we had been given a prominent spot in the lovely Adam Hall. Our table, designed by Gill and Sue, had a tiered centrepiece topped by our members' sparkly, shiny Christmas baubles, which were much admired throughout the day.

The Branch book was on display and also the recently completed travelling books. The books were supplemented by a selection of other small items by Sue, Margherita and Janet.

Ann D, Margherita, Anna and Gill were kept busy throughout the day talking to interested visitors, and handed out lot of leaflets (prepared by Sally) to people enquiring about becoming branch members.  A successful day!

Design inspiration and Angie Hughes: The Trees Leaves

Jayne Emerson's talk on how she came by her unusual job took us on a whirlwind tour through her sources of inspiration and how she finds ideas literally everywhere.  Jayne designs and makes fabric swatches for use in the fashion and home furnishing industries - not many people knew such a job existed!  She brought along a case full of swatches for us to look through and drool over, together with some of her more recent framed work. Jayne uses an embellishing machine with a wide range of materials to create texture and effects, bringing home to us what a fantastically useful tool it can be!

Angie Hughes: "The Trees Leaves"

The following day, we were fortunate enough to enjoy Angie Hughes' new workshop.  Based on Alison Holt's technique* of stitching a tree shape "in space", i.e. across a hole cut in a piece of fabric (scary? definitely!), this was our first task of the day - challenging even to experienced machine stitchers.

We did all manage to make a tree successfully, which we then used to create a stamp by impressing it into a Heat 'n' Form block.  

  

Stamps can also be created simply with leaves, especially those with strong veins, which can look remarkably tree-like.

We had a lot of fun creating effects with different paints, foils and stencils 

... before going on to stitch into our printed shapes. Here's one of Angie's lovely samples to give the idea:

Angie stressed that she has been making adjustments to the workshop as new developments and ideas present themselves, and even had a little lightbulb moment when we were gathered round discussing the numerous techniques included in the workshop.

As always, Angie is extremely generous with her experience, guidance and materials.  We had a hugely enjoyable day, and we always learn so much from her.  

* Machine Embroidered Woodlands, Alison Holt