What links the 1718 patchwork Silk Coverelet, owned by the Quilters Guild, to events of 12th December 2019?

The answer lies in the process of investigation into the quilt’s construction. Using modern forensic techniques the  Quilters Guild have uncovered ( sorry!) some of the quilt’s secrets.

Within the intricate quilted blocks lie the original papers used to piece the quilt. These ranged from scraps to pages of religious text and a political poster. The poster advertised a meeting to discuss……Scottish Independence.

Heather gave us an in depth and fascinating talk about the importance of this quilt to the history of quilt making in England. We learned of the difficulty in constructing the quilt with it’s complicated curves. The fabric and the stitching have all been analysed to a high degree. Heather’s talk also gave us an insight into early 18th century society as the Quilters Guild and their researchers worked to discover the provenance of the quilt.

A wonderful interesting journey by way of an everyday object.

“handle with kid gloves”  “the gloves are off” “an iron hand in a velvet glove” “to throw down the gauntlet”

These are some of the many idioms in daily use demonstrating the place of gloves in our past and present.

Angharad has travelled the globe researching patterns and designs for knitted gloves.

With this knowledge she has moved into designing her own gloves based on traditional gloves she has observed. Having started her work on 4 needles she has now moved on to circular needles.

Her intricate designs were much admired by all EYES members.

Want to know more click on the links below.

http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/events/glove-stories

http://www.glovecollectioncatalogue.org

Over the weekend of 12th and 13th October our guest speaker, Dawn Cameron-Dick , gave us an entertaining and educational insight into the world of wadding. We were all encouraged to ask more questions about the manufacturers of a material many may have taken for granted. Environmental issues as well as loft, bounce, durability were highlighted in a very amusing and insightful way.

Sunday 13th October and 16 ladies came to the Darby and Joan Hall sewing machines at the ready. Today we were to learn how to make a New York Beauty Block, using the technique of foundation piecing. Again a very entertaining and industrious day with everyone achieving at least two individual pieces.

Our first meeting of the new year and we were treated to a menagerie of needle felted animals created by Fi Oberon.

Fi described how she set her animals in small scenes as part of creating her book on needle felting. She then went on to explain the process of needle felting and the creating of her beautifully detailed creatures highlighting techniques, processes and materials in such a way that even beginners could ‘have a go’.

All artists find that their work leads them in many directions, Fi is passionate about her environment and so uses natural dyeing in her work.

This passion for the environment has led her into a new idea to highlight the effect of global warming ‘Data Wrapped Trees’. Creating an embroidery , of a tree with coloured bands, each band representing data on the effects Carbon Dioxide Emissions on the environment.

Fi wishes to carry this message to Downing Street, anyone interested in hearing her ideas and helping in this campaign can contact her direct.