Suzette Smart's visit in April was delightful. He work was a colourful and exciting collection of quilts and fabric collage work, mostly using recycled fabrics.
​Suzette will be returning in October for a workshop.

Mia Hansson has set out to recreate a life sized replica of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Mia gave a very interesting and thoughtful insight into the processes and possible thoughts of the embroiderers as they must have worked the Tapestry nearly 1000 years ago.

We had a very enjoyable Christmas meeting at the Trinity Centre in December.
Jennifer Collier came along and taught us all how to make 'Cathedral Windows' in paper.
It was a lovely mini workshop where we all had time to chat whilst folding our papers into beautiful works of art using recycled paper and Christmas wrap.
Mince pies, biscuits, tea and coffee were on hand, making the evening a wonderful festive get-together.

We spent two fantastic days in November with Angie Hughes on an 'Altered Books' workshop.
Angie taught us how to adapt and 'wreck' an old, unloved hardback book and turn it into a beautiful work of art. We used lots of different products and techniques , and by Saturday afternoon, we had all created a few pages that we were extremely proud of.

Ruth Lowe visited our meeting at Trinity Centre in November and gave us a fascinating talk about Mary Quant, her life, work and inspiration up to 1970.
Ruth bought along a selection of Mary Quant clothing from the 50's and 60's, which bought back memories for some members.
​Ruth is a very knowledgeable lady and provided a very entertaining and enjoyable evening.

Marion Crundwell has introduced us to a lovely little project that many of you might want to get involved with.
www.buddybagfoundation.co.uk is a local organisation that provides toiletry bags for children who have entered emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse.

You can create the bags using any suitable children's fabric in a size that is approximately 12" x 10".
It can be single or double lined.
Drawstring using cord or ribbon.
Waterproof or mixed coton fabric.

All bags will need to be delivered/posted to Cookes Storage:

Buddy Bag Foundation
c/o Cookes Storage
Unit 16 Maybrook Road
Maybrook Business Park
Minworth,
Sutton Coldfield
B76 1AL

If you take a look at the Buddy Bag Foundation website, buddybagfoundation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BBF-Crafters-Pack-15.6.21-min.pdf they have a craft pack with gorgeous little knitted teddy bear patterns that you can knit and donate. These are put inside the bags along with the toiletries.

Una taught is lots of different techniques for folding and stitching fabrics to create a sort of 'resist' in order to obtain the most beautiful effects when dyed in an indigo vat.
We all had yet another extremely enjoyable and fun day at SCCS on our regular Saturday workshops.

After her hugely successful and enjoyable Zoom talk during 'lockdown', Zoe very kindly returned in person to show us her beautiful 'broken' vases that she painstakingly covers in silk fabrics and stitched back together again.
It was lovely to inspect these beautiful vases close up to see the intricate stitching that holds them together. We were even lucky enough to handle a small piece to feel the fragility, and yet new strength of these reconstructed items.

It was lovely to welcome everyone back to the Trintiy centre for our September AGM on Thursday. There was some lovely work on display at our mini exhibition, it seems that everyone has been extremely busy and creative over lockdown.
The winner of our 'Chairman's Challenge' award this year was Brenda's lovely quilt.

It was also a real treat to see the beautiful friendship rings that had been created.
If you haven't yet made yours, there is still time. The instructions are on the website, and you can bring it along to our next meeting.

We were treated to a very inspirational talk last night by Gail Tutcher.

​Gail told us about the history and origins of Bargello stitch, she explained how it is worked, and showed examples of her own work, and the many ways in which it can be adapted to achieve beautiful effects.

​We would like to set a challenge this month for members to create an item using bargello stitch. It could be a needlecase, a book cover, a cushion, or even perhaps a doorstop!

​The basic stitch is a very simple, repetitive counted stitched traditionally worked with wool on canvas, but it could possibly be worked on any even-weave fabric using a thread that is thick enough to fill the holes and to cover the fabric. 
Sometimes its nice to sit and stitch something simple and repetitive that’s not taxing on the brain, and the results can be just stunning.

​Pattern inspiration can be found on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rgreen6040/bargello-free-patterns/

Canvas fabric can be purchased through Amazon and eBay, just search for 'Zweigart Tapestry Needlepoint canvas'. 12 or 14 count is probably about the best to work on.
Appletons Tapestry wool can again be purchased through Amazon and eBay for about 99p a skein.
HOWEVER, it would be nice to see what can be achieved using materials you have to hand - maybe embroidery floss on Aida, or knitting wools into Hessian...?

​Please send images of your work to info@suttoncoldfieldcreativestitchers.co.uk so that we can add your work to this blog post.

There are a few books on Amazon that teach new and modern variations should you wish to add them to your wish list :)

​Have fun!

PS. I have received a message from Gail:

"If anyone is interested, there is a new book available on Bargello which has good illustrations:
‘Bargello Stitch: A pattern directory for dramatic needlepoint’ by Laura Angell & Lynsey Angell, pub by Search Press August 2020
 
I’ve been looking up the details of the tapestry canvas that I use. I think it is interlock 10 holes per inch canvas like the example here: https://www.stitchtastic.com/store/interlock-canvas-10hpi-2 or here: https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/fabric/zweigart-10-count-interlock-canvas-white-40-100cm-40inch-wide
I have used Wool Warehouse several times for threads and they are very efficient and reasonably priced."