THE NEWSLETTER
FOR THE SOUTH EAST REGION
WEB SITE: www.southeastembroiderers.co.uk
ISSUE NUMBER 17
MARCH 2015
SEE THE NEWS!
Dear Members,
I hope you are all managing to
stay well and keep the various
bugs away.
I now have snowdrops in the
garden and some daffodils in pots
in my conservatory which are
reminding me that spring and
summer are just around the corner.
Looking forward to the first event
in the Region’s calendar, the
summer school at West Dean,
has just a few places left and
both courses sound exciting
(‘Cosmos’ with Kate Ferrer and ‘Skyscapes’ with Carol Naylor). West Dean is
a beautiful place, very welcoming, with comfortable bedrooms, lovely food and of
course the stunning gardens.
Plans for the Regional day (Stitchfest 2015) at Ardingly are well underway and I
think it will be a wonderful day. Janet has worked hard at securing some tempting
traders, Judith has lined up some new and different tutors for the workshop,
and we have the privilege of having Pauline Spence, who wrote an article for the
August/September edition of Stitch magazine, leading the Madeira Challenge on
Dorset buttons, but these are Dorset buttons with a new look and are very pretty.
The day wouldn’t be complete without the Branch Challenge with this years theme
of ‘Alice In Wonderland’. The committee have decided to go back to having judges
for the competition and this year we have three terrific judges: Christine Poole
(current Chairman of the EG), Sarah Standfield (Chairman of the Lewis Carroll
Society) and Pauline Spence.
Wishing all our members a very Happy Easter.
Kay Dennis
(Chairman)
STITCHFEST 2015
Stitchfest 2015 on 27th June is fast approaching and I hope you have it highlighted in
your diary and are planning to join us. This is very much a members day but also open to
the public so do invite your stitching friends - a chance to meet old friends from other
branches, participate in workshops, browse amongst the wide range of traders, look at the
Alice In Wonderland competition entries from other branches, take part in the Madeira
Challenge and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of our exciting prizes.
Your branch committee will be receiving shortly an application form for tickets - if they are
booked in advanced you will save money. This applies if you book your ticket through your
branch or direct from Jen Ford. Otherwise you can purchase a ticket at the door.
How are you progressing with the Branch
Challenge inspired by Alice In Wonderland?
This is an interesting subject and I have
been amazed to hear how many members
did not enjoy the books as a child, even
though the images are so enduring.
I think we are all looking forward to
seeing how this theme will be interpreted,
and don’t forget the Young Embroiderers’
groups are working to the same idea.
You may recall at our last Regional Day Fay
Maxwell designed a panel to be donated to
the Shooting Star Chase Hospice, Christopher’s at Guildford and we all completed sea
urchins etc to be attached to the background. This will be displayed at Stitchfest before
being presented to the hospice.
Stitchfest, like many of our events, is sponsored by Madeira UK Ltd and we usually hold a
Madeira Challenge. This is a chance for members to sit down, rest their feet and stitch this year the project is Dorset Posies, inspired by Dorset buttons and featured in Stitch.
Pauline Spence, the designer, will be with us on the day and is looking forward to meeting
members and showing them how to create Dorset Posies. The finished posies can be made
into a brooch, decorate a bag or mounted on canvas - just a few ideas!
The programme of workshops will be with you all shortly - another chance to stitch on the
day. There is a wide choice available but you need to apply early as places are limited.
There are also a wide range of traders, some favourites and some new so be prepared to
browse and spend to your heart’s content. If you are unable to cope with the Knitting and
Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, Stitchfest provides an ideal opportunity to purchase
fabric, threads, beads etc that you can see before you choose.
Refreshments including a lunch menu, are available but there is also plenty of space to have
a picnic lunch instead.
Please don’t forget the Raffle - the display of prizes, donated by the traders, will be
on the landing so you will not miss it. The Raffle is another source of income for the
Region; income from our events enables us to hold Regional Days with speakers, to put on
Stitchfest every two years and to support our branches.
WHAT’S ON!
26th March to 5th April 2015
Variations
17th - 30th April 2015
Greenstede Gallery, Chequers Mead,
Ramster Embroidery & Textile Art
East
Exhibition
Grinstead (Not open Sundays)
Ramster, Chiddingfold, Surrey GU8 4SN
NewBees is a new and exciting textile
Entrance £5.50
group formed by five Textile Artists who
Combined Garden & Exhibition £11.00
originally came together through friendTeahouse open all day - 10am to 5pm
ship and the Context Quilt Group. The
members have varied interests and a
25th & 26th April 2015
high standard of skills which include
The Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta design, fibre and bead jewellery, quiltBrockenhurst Village Hall, Highwood
ing, dying fabrics and hand and machine
Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RY
embroidery. Their work includes wear10am to 3.30pm
able art, traditional and contemporary
Join hundreds of visitors at this exciting
quilting alongside abstract and pictorial
two day event. Stalls and exhibits range embroidery.
from the traditional to the contemporary
and include embroidery and
Branch Contributions
embellishment, weaving, beading,
patchwork, knitting, crochet,
Our Regional Newsletter is a great forum
dressmaking and much more.
to advertise your branch exhibitions,
l
special events, anniversaries etc. Do
4th to 9th May 2015
make sure you advise Kay Dennis so
As Rare As Rubies: Stitched Textile
that information can be posted on the
Gems
Regional web site.
A Joint Exhibition of Textile Art by
It is also a place where members of the
Members of Dorking & East Surrey
SE Region can share their experiences
Branches
of being a branch member, seeing
Denbies Wine Estate Gallery, Dorking,
an exhibition, attending a course or
Surrey RH6 6AA
workshop, enjoying a textile-rich holiday
Open:
etc.
4th May - 1pm to 5pm
.
5th to 10th May - 10 m to 5pm
The committee would really like to
include articles from branches and
25th July to !6th August 2015
members alike - remember how our
Sew Much More……
magazine used to feature all sorts of
The Front Room of the Beaney House of
interesting things to read. If writing is
Art and Knowledge,
not your speciality, just call me and tell
Canterbury, Kent CT1 2RA
me your news and together we can write
Open daily 10am – 4pm
it.
Celebrating 45 years of stitching in
The members in the Region would love
Canterbury, the East Kent Branch
to hear from you!
present an exciting exhibition of
members’ recent work reflecting
Do Get In Touch!
traditional and contemporary techniques.
From fine silk thread to soldering irons
CONTACT THE EDITOR!
– this is embroidery in the 21st century!
Janet Brown
Beautiful work, lovingly stitched, will be
01403 256973 or 07801 137349
for sale, from small items to larger [email protected]
hung pieces and so much more…