Monday 11 February 2013

Visit our new website!!!

Hello everyone!

If you are looking for information about Preston Embroiderers' Guild then visit our new website at

prestonembroiderersguild.co.uk  

You will find all you need to know about us here.  Who we are, where we are and how you can join us. 

You'll also find news about our latest projects and exhibitions as well as the monthly blog.

Do click on the link above and find out more about us!

Tuesday 22 January 2013

January - Beading Workshop


Saturday, a New Year and a new workshop - beading.

Marie, who was to do a decorated cuffs workshop, was ill and Irene kindly stepped into the breach at the eleventh hour. We had all raided our beading stash & were armed with colourful glass beads in the hope they could become something more.
Irene had displayed her vast array of beautiful jewellery tempting us to 'give it a go'. A demonstration followed - making it look so easy. 
Enthused with what we could produce from a collection of small glass beads, we embarked on a necklace. The delicate pattern proved to be a little puzzling.
The all so important diamond was made up of 8 beads. How could 8 beads be so difficult to conquer !! 


With patience, mainly from Irene, the collection of coloured glass was taking shape. We were well on the way to a necklace or bracelet.



After lunch we were then shown another technique. Most of us persevered with the morning's work rather than start something new.
There were lots of other things going on as well as the beading
By 3 o’clock some were wearing their efforts. A great day was had by all. Thank you, Irene.
… and thank you to Carole for the commentary!






Sunday 23 December 2012


December - Christmas Party

We held our Annual Christmas Party on December 1st.
As usual, we had lots of quizzes and games to keep us busy during the morning - as well as catching up on all the 'goss'!
Then we had a really lovely lunch -




Three courses - finished off with these ...


The entries for our competition - 'A Star'
... was won by Mary Nevett.
Then Sandie introduced our Guest Speaker, Sarah, from Golden Hinde

who, thankfully, was very animated!
So that we stayed awake to admire the beautiful goldwork.




Wednesday 14 November 2012

American Smocking Workshop with Monica Selway:


It was a blustery start to the day with the weather throwing everything that it could at us! However, once we got into the hall, the warm welcomes that people were exchanging more than made up for it.

In fact it takes me so long to get organised, looking at the workshop board and the things that members have made, and catching up on the latest news,  it's amazing that I ever get started on the workshop.....Is there anyone else like this? 

We began the day with Monica showing us some beautiful examples of her work, mainly inspired by architecture and nature.  Inspiration can truly be found everywhere if you look hard enough.

I can remember thinking 'How am I going to smock like that''!  But the mystery was explained by Monica and then the fun started!    

We managed to attempt  the techniques of 'Honeycomb' and 'Basket Weave', 'Wave' and 'Lattice' and a lovely 'Flower pattern'......  


Although I have got to say, smocking takes practice and patience, and sewing ' upwards' is a new one on me, it is however, undoubtedly a therapeutic thing to do.  

The room was full of people smiling and having a thoroughly good time. 

 There were intermittent peals of laughter coming from the smaller room and the atmosphere was super.  




By the end of the workshop, most of us had kind of decided which style of smocking might suit us the best, depending upon how patient a stitcher you are!   For me, it was the 'freestyle' Flower pattern that won me over - I wonder why? 

A great big 'thank - you' goes to Monica for helping us to achieve quite a lot in a day, and I am sure that I say on behalf of all the members that did the workshop, it was good to try something different and interesting.

This is the essence of our workshops. It just takes a day doing something new to be really filled with enthusiasm to do more.

Just one last thing - what were they laughing about in the side room??!


Ann x    













Tuesday 30 October 2012

October - "Victorian Sweetie Bags"


What a lovely day we had on Saturday at the Sweetie Bag workshop day, the sun was shining and the atmosphere was brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation.   Everyone had their  machines  and  sewing equipment out, we looked very industrious.
Pauline showed us stage by stage how to create the pretty bags with very comprehensive instructions and notes during the day ( which are handy for those of us who are very sociable and like to sit and talk when we should be sewing!!)
We tried various pieces of lace against the fabric we had stitched, and then tea- dyed the chosen lace, this was so enjoyable  - who doesn't like having a fabulous choice of fabric to pick and choose from? 
 The bags are a fantastic project to enjoy the therapy of stitching, by machine and by hand, something that we all enjoy doing and invariably don't have enough time for.  

We discovered a few things:  Pauline sews on the machine without her shoes on!
                                             Tea makes your hands yellow!
                                             Hairdryers are meant for drying fabric!
                                             Talking does not produce a finished project!
                                             Chocolate biscuits don't go with heirloom sewing techniques!
But most importantly of all, we  created the start of a lovely Sweetie Bag, thanks to a super workshop, fabulous instruction by Pauline and her generosity with the lace, thread and beads etc., 
As always at the Guild days, we learnt such a lot on Saturday, there were hints and tips throughought the session.  I hope that everyone finishes their bag so that we can put them all on show at the next exhibition and many thanks again to everyone who came and to Pauline for a super day!  
Ann Warren.  





Thursday 27 October 2011

October meeting - AGM and Lizzie Wall 'My Quilts and other Animals'















Our October meeting started with our AGM. Looks like we're having a good time?















It was prizegiving time ... Mary Holden was presented with the Trudy Goodenough trophy for her 'Tulips'














... Pat Hewitt won the Agnes Wilson prize for Surface Stitch ...














...and Sue Shepherd won the Agnes Wilson prize for Counted Thread.














Christine Chadwick won the 'Chairman's Challenge' for making a name badge.




















Then on to the highlight of the day - Lizzie Wall's talk 'My Quilts and other Animals'
A pity I can't show all the photographs taken but here are some ...














... a stunning banner for South Ribble NUT. Lucky teachers!














... a close-up of a quilt featuring 'nature' ...



















What a delight!



















A quilt that we'd seen at the Quilt Show. Lovely shimmering fish!



















This was a 'practice' / 'sample' / 'design' piece for a larger one. So much work to try out a design!
We were all very impressed by the processes which Lizzie had worked through - in depth research and meticulous design ...














... like the legends of the hares and the larkspurs on this 'Harvest' chasuble made for a Church in Aintree ...















... and this one featuring Our Lady Of Walsingham. Note the text which runs all around the edge of the garment.














The work was closely observed and admired.














This is a Christmas chasuble made in memory of a parishioner.



















... beautiful figures of Madonna and Child ...














... and magnificent angels ...














... with glowing faces ...



















... and, indeed, the lion shall lie down with the lamb.
Thanks to Lizzie for a wonderful and inspiring talk.