February Meeting; Machine Embroidery with Jan Hicks

Val sent this report of last week's workshop;

Machine Embroidery with Jan Hicks –

Thursday 17^th February 2011

        As this was a basic machine embroidery class, Jan began at the beginning and showed us how to set up our machines for free embroidery. Then it was darning/embroidery foot on, feed dogs down and away we go, practising, may I hasten to add. We had all brought some cotton material and this was soon filled with free machining scribble, then as we got more used to it our names were added and then some attempt at flowers and trees.

        Jan explained how she makes embroidered ‘lace’ using water soluble fabric and as she had brought some with her for us to buy if we wanted to, most of us were soon machining over designs we had drawn on the fabric. Jan warned us to make sure we had machined all the bits together as it could all disintegrate when the fabric is dissolved! Adding bits of fabric and lace between two layers of the soluble fabric – this was to keep the scraps in place while machining – made for a more robust piece. For first attempts the results were quite acceptable.

        3 o’clock seemed to arrive all too soon and with heads buzzing with the possibilities hinted at, machines were returned to their original settings and packed away. It was an enjoyable workshop and, I for one feel that I have learnt something, all I have to do now is find the time to practise!

Thanks, Val; I was really sorry to miss this meeting.  Pat sent these pictures;

Thank you, Pat!