Past activities
June 2010
The June meeting was well attended, with a few new faces in evidence. Our youngest participant, Georgette, made us a lovely big chocolate cake for afternoon tea, a totally unexpected treat!
With Lyn and Eva away at the Special General Meeting in NSW, we were left to organize our own scarf-making activities, but with Pauline, Bernice, Dixie, and Hilary in attendance, there was plenty of help available for those of us less experienced with our sewing machines.
The inspiring show and tell session with which we began gave everyone some wonderful ideas using a variety of techniques and materials, and the results of their work over the next hour or so were brilliant. While some took away homework, several people managed to complete their scarves. As they packed up and headed for home, the participants were full of praise for their mentors, and all agreed that it had been another brilliant afternoon well spent.
The members of our committee are listening to the comments made by our members, and gaining insights into the things that interest them, and the areas that they would like to see covered in future workshops, either in these short sessions at our monthly meetings, or in special days, such as the one planned for 17th July, when Bernice Langley will be showing us various methods of fabric manipulation.
Photos by Bernice Langley)
July 2010
Our July meeting was well attended despite the cold wintery weather. The topic for the day was Fantastic Fusibles and Interesting Interfacings. Lyn and Jenni raided their stashes to come up with small samples of as many different types of these products as possible, and it was amazing to discover just how many there are. Lyn's samples in particular demonstrated some very interesting ways of using the fusible webbing, with the addition of paint, foil, Angelina fibres and many other mixed media applications.
After a show and tell session everyone went off to the tables with a small kit to try out Vliesofix for themselves on postcard sized samples (to get them in the mood for our Postcard Challenge, which closes on July 23rd). Sewing machines were optional, and most people contented themselves with hand sewing, or put together their bits and pieces and left the needlework until they got home.
Plans for the ATASDA WA Group stand at the WA Craft Quilt and Stitch Show were discussed, and volunteers were asked for to be rostered on during the 3 days, 30th July to 1st August. If you can spare an hour or two to help us, please contact Lyn Brown ASAP.
Left to Right: Roxanne at her machine, Lyn's samples on show, and Dot's Knot Garden featured.
in the Show-and-Tell
August 2010
The August meeting was a very busy one. We welcomed a few guests who had learned of our existence at the WA Quilt Craft and Stitch Show the previous weekend, and gave all present a final chance to see the magnificent Maharajah's Garden pieces before they were safely packed away for their trip to Jasmine's next destination, Dongara.
The postcards from our challenge were also on display, and at the end of the meeting those that were being swapped were allocated to their new owners, and the ones that are being returned to their makers were prepared for their journey home.
In between all this activity, Hilary Dodds managed to assemble an enthusiastic crowd as she showed the wide variety of techniques and materials that she uses to make beads. These included polymer clay, shrink plastic, fabrics, fibres and wires. We hope to see her back sometime in 2011 to conduct a hands-on workshop where we can explore all these techniques and materials in more depth.
Show and tell concentrated on the things you can do in workshops, with Lyn showing us many pieces she has done over the years with tutors from all over Australia. Several members brought in their small embroideries started in the July meeting's fusible web workshop, leaving Jenni in awe of what they had done with her basic designs and bag of scraps and Averil's crochet scarves using sari silk fibres were also much admired.
Hilary Dodds talking about handmade beads
at the August 2010 meeting
(Photograph by Dorothy Stone)
