October Meeting - Christmas Stars

 For our October meeting Jane showed us how to make Christmas Stars with felt.  We embroidered details and used buttons and beads for the centres.  It was the perfect project for the meeting as we all managed to finish our stars.

We will be bringing them back to our December meeting to hang on the Christmas tree.

The challenge for next year's open studios was also unveiled - our imagination is now working overtime  looking for inspiration for our A4 pieces that will fit the theme.  It's good to have a challenge!

Swindon Open Studios - September 2026

 What a lovely weekend we had for Swindon Open Studios at the Jenner Hall.

We had over 140 people attending and we hope that the visitors enjoyed the tea, cake and chats as much as we did.

We had 6 members who had tables at the event to show their items and talk to visitors about their making process and inspiration.

We also had an exhibition room where we showed what had so far been produced for our 2026/2027 theme of 'Scapes'.

In this room were also our White Challenge pieces.

Along with some other work produced at workshops throughout the year.

We are looking forward to doing it all again next year, with more 'Scapes' to show, along with our 2027 challenge - that we will be revealed at our October meeting.

August trip to Lydiard Park

 We always have a trip out in August and this year we decided to visit Lydiard Park for a catch-up and picnic.  Lydiard Park, Museum and Gardens | Great days out in Swindon

The lovely house was closed but we found a spot in the shade and enjoyed a good chat.

The grass is looking very brown but the apples were growing well in the walled garden.

There were some lovely flowers enjoying the sun too.

We decided not to take advantage of the 5 star accommodation on offer, but did enjoy some of the lovely Marshfield Farm ice-cream.

Don't forget we will be open for Swindon Open Studios at the Jenner Hall, Cricklade on the 19th and 20th September from 11:00am to 4:00pm.  Great Western Embroiderers | swindonopenstudios

June Meeting - Lace Stars

 For our June meeting Hazel led a workshop showing us how to make these lovely stars.  They will make great Christmas decorations.

Most members had a go at these, some managed to get the hang of it and some of us got in a bit of a tangle with our bobbins!  Some members finished the stars at home.

We thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and it gave us a good understanding of how difficult it is to do the lovely lacework that Hazel produces.  

May Meeting - Cotton reel and needle holder

 At our May meeting Judy led  a workshop on how to make a very useful travel holder for a cotton reel and needles.

We all had a go at making one out of felt and embroidering our own motifs to make them personal.  Not all of us finished on the day, but here is a picture of those who did.

It was a very enjoyable meeting and we have all come away with something we can use to take some needles and thread in when travelling.

We also unveiled the last two of our consequence dolls.  Here is a sneak peak of those.  To see them all come to our open studio at the Jenner Hall, Cricklade 11:00am to 4:00pm on 19th and 20th September as part of Swindon Open Studios | Swindon | Community Art Event

April Meeting - Delightful Deco Basket

 At our April meeting Mags showed us how to make a very useful basket.  

Everyone joined in to make one and had a very enjoyable time.  If you look closely you will see that one is already being used to put a pair of glasses in.

Also at the April meeting we unveiled most of the consequence dolls that we had been working on over the last few months.  They all turned out brilliantly.  Here is one.  To see the rest come along to the Swindon Open Studios weekend on the 19th and 20th September between 11:00 and 4:00 at the Jenner Hall, Cricklade.

February Meeting

 At our February meeting Jayne showed us how to make 'Easter Eggs'.  We started with a polystyrene egg and lots of squares of fabric.  Using pins we pinned the fabric to the egg.  They all looked so different depending on the choice of fabric.

It took quite a while to pin all the bits of fabric to the egg.  Some lovely examples were made.

We are half way through making our Consequence Dolls.  Here is the progress so far.  The next bit to add will be the body and arms.