Arlene Shawcross Workshop, March 14

IMG_1104After our March 14th meeting, a workshop is being taught by Arlene Shawcross entitled “Stitch to Enrich”

Background of Ms. Shawcross

Ms. Shawcross has exhibited widely in Ireland and in the U.K.  She was awarded the Mairin O’Brien Flegg Memorial Award for contemporary embroidery from the RDS in 2011.  She is a member of the Cork Textile network, Society of Designer Craftsmen in the U.K., the Textile Society and the Irish Patchwork Society.

She states “I work mostly using the technique of free-machine embroidery often stitching onto a soluble background which is later dissolved away to create a lace-like effect, or I combine my stitching with my own hand-dyed silks and velvets.  I create individual wall pieces, garments and accessories.  I teach workshops in free-machine embroidery and related textile techniques and enjoy working to commission.”

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Workshop Information

Cost is €15 – A bargain!

You’ll be using hand sewing to work on some practice pieces to learn new techniques to combine color and textures.  The workshop will happen after the general meeting.  The pictures included in the post are examples of what you’ll learn!  Come join us on March 14th!

The 2015 Block of the Month Project

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At our January meeting we had a brainstorming session, and one idea that emerged was to have a Block of the Month project!

At the committee meeting, Erin volunteered to design the quilt and instructions.  We’re focusing on using stash and scraps, hence the name, Scrap Happy!  Here’s a few things you need to know about the project!

It’s a mystery quilt.  The finished dimensions of the quilt will be 54 x 68 inches.  You’ll make one block of each of the blocks presented, for a total of twelve blocks.  Instructions will be available at the meetings for the cost of €1 to cover printing costs.  Due to the fact that we’re asking members to pay for the instructions, the instructions won’t be posted to the internet until 6 months after their debut.  (Thus February’s block won’t be posted until August)  When they’re posted, they’ll be posted here.  We will be continuing the project during the summer, so July and August’s blocks will be posted there as well.  If you miss a meeting, don’t worry!  We should have paper copies from the previous meetings!  For fabric, you’ll need approximately 5.5 yards total for the top, with 2.5 yards needed for the background fabric.

Erin will be making two quilts during the duration of the project.  One will be made from a fat eighth set of Miss Kate from Bonnie and Camille.  The other will be made from scraps from stash.

We’re utilizing Pinterest for inspiration for this project!  Check out our Pinterest site here.  Every month, we’ll create a board that corresponds with that month’s block.  You’ll find tutorials to make the block, whole quilts made from the block and other forms of inspiration.

At our February meeting we debuted the first block, the Rail Fence!

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If you have any questions about the project, email us at corkipsATgmailDOTcom

What a Meeting!

Wasn’t that a great meeting we had today?

Our block of the month project was debuted, stay tuned to the blog for another post about it.

Here’s some of the photos from our amazing Show and Tell.  Aren’t these projects inspirational?!

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Don’t be shy about bringing your projects to share with the group, we love seeing everything!

Are you interested in learning more about hand sewing?  Arlene Shawcross will be presenting a workshop after our next meeting.  Stay tuned for another blog post with more details!  Cost is €15, first come first served.  There’s only about 7 spots left!

Reminder for our February Meeting

Here’s Jane’s information to everyone about the meeting:

Our SHOP will be Moya with Patchwork Plus

Moya will also be our SPEAKER and will give a DEMO on ‘Bewitching Valentine Stitchery’, which will include a number of different techniques for you to try your hand at, including ‘appliquilting’…all will be revealed on Saturday!  Fabric kits will be available from Moya.  Bring your hand sewing kit if you’d like to start stitching at the meeting.

There will be SHOW AND TELL – please log your quilts with Eilish – I’m sure there will be dozens of HEXIE projects made since last month!

We will have our usual RAFFLE

Thanks to the hard work of Erin, our wonderful Editorial Rep and PRO we are launching our 2015 BLOCK OF THE MONTH : Scrap Happy!  A brand new quilt, perfect for both beginners and experienced quilters alike.

Erin will also be giving us a TECHNOLOGICAL UPDATE about our new Website, Facebook Page and ……get this…..Pinterest account!