6x6 challenge

Here are some of the first stage of our 6x6 challenge.
Each of the 22 members who signed up provided a piece of painted or dyed or decorated fabric on which further decoration could be added by two further members to who it will be passed on.
This round robin challenge will last 6 weeks and then they will be pieced together to make a mini quilt.

Members have to not get precious about their piece as it becomes the property of the person to whom they pass it to. Easier said than done. Hopefully we will end up with a full range of techniques to display at our exhibitions.

Here is a second set of squares, silk painted, bleached iced dyed and velvet providing a full range of base fabrics that will test members.

This is from the tyvek workshop held previously the painted tyvek was ironed on to felt with a sandwich of bondaweb resulting in a this cobweb effect.

Here the painted tyvek has been ironed until it produces this 'holey' effect.

Christmas 2013

 

THE DECORATED TREE

 

 

 This years theme was a basket with any colour plus silver and as usual there was a huge range of different interpretations on the tree.

 

The winner was Gwen(centre) with her all silver basket. Second Belinda (left) and third Margaret (right)

MACCLESFIELD MAKERS DAY

This was our second time standing at the Macclesfield Makers Fair day. We had a room to ourselves and made the most of it. We had the Sales Table where we displayed a wide range of goodies made by members.

 We had a sale of silk activity bags and notions that always go down well. People like a rummage and a bargain.

The silk scarf rail is always a riot of colour and displayed a full range of techniques.

 

In addition Beryl and Annette organised painting sessions where members of the public could come and have a go.

Silk Route Talk

 On the 4th November we had a very informative talk by Jim Gaffney from Textile Traders . Jim and wife Diane have been in the business of buying, selling and putting on exhibitions since 1984.

 We were entertained by Jim and his stories that were illustrated by a wide range of ethnic fabrics.

 They keep a blog that tells of their travels throughout Asia.

 Jim finished the afternoon off with a sales table of the most delightful scarves, fabrics and garments. Most who attended were tempted to buy something.

Easter Card Competition

At last I can upload the images taken in April of our Easter card competition. My computer is now talking to Blogger so here goes.

 

 Here are the entries this year, they all contain some silk within them and a click to enlarge will reveal a wide range of techniques.

The winner was Gwen Kay for her delightful embroidery on a piece of painted silk. As Gwen is a relatively new member this was a excellent achievement. I particularly like the fresh spring colours and the simplicity of the overall effect.

DYEING!!!!!!!

We've been dyeing so far this year.

Two workshops on Procion dyeing. The first with ice the second in plastic bags.

Members have been experimenting with natural fabrics in particular cotton and silk and creating very serendipity designs which we are going to use later in the year. Details are hush hush so far.

cotton dyed in a plastic bag

silk velvet dyed in plastic bags

cotton dyed in plastic bags

cotton ice dyed

cotton dyed in plastic bag

silk scarves dyed in plastic bags

cotton dyed twice, once in ice and then clamped and put in plastic bag

silk scarves dyed in plastic bags

cotton shirt buttons dyed in plastic bags

 

 

The ice dyeing gave us some superb serendipity results that were almost floral in pattern. the group also learnt how to achieve more of a block colour effect by adding the soda ash later rather than presoaking fabric before dyeing.

 

Next is Natural dyeing with natural dyes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Workshops

Over the last year we have had some shorter workshops that allowed members to produce some very interesting work. These brooches were produced using manmade fabrics cleverly cut and sewn together decorated with beads.

These tassels used up leftover wools and threads. They are wrapped around a double piece of card, cut and tied off. They can be finished off with beads and members were very happy with a quick activity.