Hi. I hope you are all well and sewing.

I finally finished my Kantha stitch bobbin roll and I am pleased how it has turned out. 

It was a challenge how to join the squares to make a length to roll round the bobbin. I managed using 3 very large press studs which I found among my stash!

This is a bobbin from a woolen mill and a great way to enjoy the bobbin and the sewing.

I enjoy the slow stitching. I find it relaxing and, for once, not having to be too precise with my stitching. Elizabeth PB.

Elizabeth also added the photos below of badges which will be used when EYES once more returns under the ‘new normal’. Hopefully in the not too distant future.

The badges were created and stitched by Elizabeth’s able assistant Sam.

Quarantine returns for some and Masks required.

As from Friday 24th July masks were mandated, in England , to be worn in indoor settings, particularly shops.

Masks are part of the whole spectrum of measures we can all take to help stop the spread of Covid 19. WHO have issued guidelines as to the fabrics and style of the best fabric face masks and I have had a go at making some under these guidelines.

The pattern I have found most useful is the Jesse Killion PDF design . These are multi sized masks patterns, one can print off the individual pattern that corresponds to ones own facial measurements.

The method of construction and further details can be found on The Fabric Patch You Tube site.

Personally I found ear loops pinged off at the most inconvenient moment,( friends tell me of lost hearing aids during this process! ) and ties around the back of my head would be too difficult for me to work . I have therefore stitched two bands of elastic on the back enabling me to put on and take off the mask with minimum touching of my face or mask.

We have seen the pictures of discarded disposable masks let’s make these reusable, washable masks.

Dorothy

Dorothy has completed a black and white quilt a special request from her son.

Out of the Chrysalis emerged a beautiful butterfly………

If you are passing Hilary’s house look out for this beautiful butterfly before it flits away.

One block of Japanese style quilting started as a bed quilt ended being repurposed as a table runner. Hilary G.

Are you interested in an EYES Christmas Workshop

We have the opportunity to put on an EYES Christmas workshop (Members Only). This would be undertaken at our usual venue of the D&J club and under strict Covid 19 guidelines. Places are even more limited due to the unusual circumstances at present. Please contact Brenda asap for further details.

Val W.

I have found crocheting relaxing in lockdown. I had wool left after making the family of mice (below) and used it up on the snowman ring. My first Christmas 2020 item.

Deb’s dog comfort blanket and dress made with fabric bought at the NEC a year ago.

Huguette

I had a good stash of yarn at the beginning of lockdown so got going in the evening while watching telly: 10 cat nests (+ I double sided cat mat and one knee rug) are the result. Two nests are already reserved and the rest will slowly be “decanted” to the Caring for Cats charity shop in Beverley now that it has re-opened.

My other project is clearing out my sewing room (ongoing!)

Diane B

I recently completed this appliqué collage as a wall hanging for my young grandsons. It’s using a’ lunar eclipse’ design by Roxana Pallett from Hannah’s Room, then I’ve overlaid silhouettes. The background is mainly batiks and I’ve free motioned on top of the moon and background.

Margaret W

I hadn’t quite completed this before Christmas – various problems arose, etc – but it was the first UFO that I finished during lockdown!  It is a June Tailor kit where the batting is printed with the design and you sew the backing, batting and top together at the same time, sewing along the printed lines.  I bought the kit – which doesn’t include the fabric – at the Festival of Quilts last year.

Annette : A finished UFO.

Evlelyn’s Herb Cushion Started at a Gail Lawther residential Cober Hill

Evelyn says this cushion is from 2016 started at an EYES residential Cober Hill. ” I did not realise how much hand embroidery I was planning to use.”

Hilary recalls the 70s with her Cloth Kit Dolls

Two projects one reflecting the present and another from the 70s and 80s. Hilary has continued to nurture her Sunflower now it is full height, unfortunately that pesky caterpillar has hatched and is VERY HUNGRY. Hilary started this ‘plant’ at the beginning of lockdown as an added interest for passing children in the times when we were all restricted to one hours exercise per day.

The second project is for a new grandchild with an eye to the days of her own children with Cloth Kit preprinted fabric Kits.

Another UFO, Is it the process or the finished piece?

Musings from a lockdown brain. Being retired for some years I am used to organising my own time, suddenly with lockdown I have developed retiree attention deficit syndrome! The piece above is developing as part of trying to recover my mojo. I bought the silk headscarf at the same show I purchased the fusible thread with the aim , but no plan, to create a small quilt. I enjoy free motion embroidery and find it is one way I can lose myself in a project. so this was to be part of the quilt. In my stash I found a piece of experimental Batik created by my son, just the right size. A rough sketch of some dahlia leaves from plants growing in a pot on my patio provided a template which I scanned and printed 3 times onto Foundation Papers also bought at Harrogate last year. What to do next and when will it be finished………attach lockdown brain and wait for inspiration.

A word about Covid 19 and EYES

We live in strange times and can only react as each day changes. Your EYES Chair and Committee are planning in for the future in the midst of the uncertain times, thank you for your patience, keep stitching and WATCH THIS SPACE.

Margaret W has completed this cot quilt for a new baby, Margaret hopes the colours suit whether the baby is a girl or boy.

Val B

The Sewing holdall is something I’ve been intending to do for ages and after a lot of internet searching and waiting for deliveries I finally had all the necessary components to complete it.

It taxed my lockdown brain but I eventually mastered it and was quite pleased with the result. I used fabric I bought on a holiday 2 years ago in Newfoundland so it is a lovely reminder of that.

The twig was in response to one of the textileartists.org challenges when, at the beginning of lockdown I felt the need to keep busy. That feeling has receded with time!!

England is slowly emerging from a total ‘lockdown’ into a brave new world where social distancing will likely be the norm. EYES members continue to finish of earlier projects or start new ones with their stash gathered over the years.

Susan B has been working on the cross stitch below.

Susan’s work is based on a still life by the artist Rachel Ruysch displayed in the National Gallery, London.

Lesley has used the lockdown to create this Quirky Animal quilt top. Whilst she waits for suitable wadding she also completed this Corona Cow Quilt.

Pat has answered the call of family and made these fabric face masks ready for use on Monday 15th.

Annette has used her time to finish off a quilt started by her sister Jane.

Slideshow of work submitted by members over Covid 19 pandemic period March to June 2020.

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Hilary G watching the flowers grow.

Hilary has created this window art based on a book by Eric Carle. We wait for the flower to appear.

Below A Jelly Roll /Bosal rug stitched by Hilary G.

Annette C 

A Diary of my UFO using a pack bought at the  Northern Quilt Exhibition September 1st 2019.

Always on the lookout for a new ( to me ) idea I came across Sylvia Grayson’s stall where she was selling a pack to sew  FUSIBLE THREAD APPLIQUE.

In the pack were two patterns, detailed instructions a reel of fusible thread and a mocrofiliment thread, all I needed were scraps of fabric to make the Dahlia.

I found the instructions very easy to follow and below is stage 1 of the large Dahlia pattern ironed on to a backing fabric.

Having pressed the pattern onto its backing fabric it then needs top stitching to fasten it down securely. Sylvia used a satin stitch to complete her design but my skills were not up to this so I used other embroidery stitches to embellish the design.

Below. Stage 2 of my project, the backing fabric is trimmed and the Dahlia ready for the next stage.  I think I might add beads or other embellishments before attaching the Dahlia to its final backing fabric.

I found the fusible thread easy to work with and am already planning other applique projects where I will use it.

Helen M has completed a Peter Rabbit quilt for her grandsons second birthday. Above a close up of the blocks shows the intricate design of the fabrics.

Please keep sending your work, let us know how you are fairing at this time.

Hilary G

Hilary has sent this wonderful Barbie’s Bedroom created by a member of EYELETS during lockdown.

Another EYELETS creation Hilary sent the group crafting ideas three members have responded so far.

These two newest members to EYELETS have made scrub bags and donated them to the local group of For the Love of Scrubs. Well done everything is much needed and gratefully accepted.

Above Hilary’s own work (as well as sewing scrubs!!) a rag book for Milo.

Best Wishes to everyone, keep in touch, keep busy and most importantly         KEEP SAFE   STAY INDOORS                     SAVE OUR NHS