May Workshop - Nancy Miller

Our May workshop saw members arriving at the Maurice Jagger Centre laden down with all those workshop staples that seem like a good idea at the time but which we quickly forget how to use! So we were in for a day of slashing, cutting, burning, heating (and a bit of stitching!) with the excellent tutelage of Nancy Miller, assisted by Margaret Walton, our Programme Secretary. 
Margaret and Nancy used to teach textiles at Crossley Heath School in Halifax, so we were in good hands, and they were full of useful hints and tips. 

These images show how strips of old knitwear can be used to good effect 

to frame pieces of embellished work

We split into small groups, each exploring different media, for example Expandaprint / puff paste; Tyvek; and fabrics which reacted when heated. 
Here are some of our interesting results. 

We all had a go at layering pre-printed images (a bit like soft decoupage) and then adding different pieces of fabric to give depth to our work.

As you can see, the images turned out differently but were all lovely. 

Offcuts of curtaining such as this can be picked up very cheaply as remnants. 

Here is fabric which has been heated with a heat gun; fabric which has been bleached; and a close up of fabric which has had Expandaprint  applied through sequin waste, and then been heated. 

This is a selection of fabric which has been bleached, and fabric which has been tied around marbles and then microwaved to set the distortion.

More samples of bleached fabric, some heated Tyvek, and two very different tulips, one mainly cut away, and the other appliquéd.

A flower made from fabric which has been cut into petal shapes and then distressed with a heat gun

A piece of organza which has been embellished with fibres, 

using a felting needle

A piece of organza which has been embellished with appliqué and stitch

Examples of fabric which has been heated with a heat gun; bleached; tied round marbles; and some Tyvek beads, made by wrapping Tyvek round a skewer with wire and then heating with a heat gun.

And finally, a piece of Nancy's artwork to show 

what we were working towards…

May Meeting - "Eleanor and the Four Kings" by Wyn Ingham

At our May meeting we were lucky enough to have our Chair, Wyn Ingham, give her fascinating talk about Eleanor of Aquitaine. You could have heard a pin drop as we sat enthralled, learning about this very modern woman who lived from about 1122 - 1204. Born into a noble family, on the death of her father she became probably the richest woman in the world, however her fortune was settled on her heirs, and untouchable by whoever she married. Nonetheless, competition was fierce and she was married at 14 to the Dauphin, soon to become Louis VII of France. 

It was not a happy union - no son was forthcoming, although Eleanor had two daughters with him, and eventually they divorced, allowing Eleanor to marry Henry II of England with whom she had several children, including Richard the Lionheart and King John (of Magna Carta fame). Henry had some "issues" with Eleanor which led to him keeping her prisoner for many years - in fact for one whole year no-one knew where she was - but she was freed by King Richard following Henry's death. 

I've vastly truncated this story so that it isn't spoiled for those of you who have not yet heard Wyn's talk, however I will tell you that after her eventful life, Eleanor died at the age of (about) 82 whilst peacefully living as a nun at Fontevraud Abbey in the Loire Valley. She was buried there alongside Henry and their tombs can still be seen - Eleanor is depicted reading a book to show that she was an educated woman. 

Wyn then showed us several pieces of work that she had completed using the buildings connected with Eleanor for inspiration. 

This is a large piece depicting a column with its carved stone capital.

Another large panel with a silk paper background and beaded roundels

Detail of the above panel

Beautiful painted and beaded silk panel

Any groups who would like to hear Wyn's full illustrated talk can contact her at winniewoo@btinternet.com.