Wow, it has been a very busy month for me! I’ll have stories to tell at our meeting in about a week…I’d better get typing and get this newsletter out! Happy creating!
Katy
Recap of May Meeting (May 25, 2006)
We had a ball goofing around and swapping fibers. Techniques that members learned from recent classes with Francie Ginnochio and Jenny Raymond were shared. We also discussed Jenny Raymond’s cool “bead glob” technique using Aleene’s Jewel-It glue. A glob of glue, a teaspoon of bead soup, and you’re good to go!
Here’s how to “make fabric” with Jenny Raymond’s method (thanks to Theresa and Joann for teaching us): Start with a base fabric. Cover it with big pieces of scrap soup, filling the entire area. Spray with adhesive such as Elmer’s Craft Bond Acid Free multipurpose spray adhesive (but any spray should work). Cover with a piece of water soluble stabilizer. Stitch all over with a twin needle; you can follow a pattern or meander, but you don’t want open space. You can couch on top, too. Then wash in the machine to get rid of the stabilizer.
The July meeting will be a work night plus show and tell from the “mess party.” We decided to make September a “couching party.” Everyone will share what they know.
We as a group are great at sharing resource tips with each other and this month was no exception…you can find Pentel Fabric Fun Pastel Dye Sticks (they’re like crayons but softer) at Hobby Lobby for just $2.99. Embellishmentvillage.com carries every color of Angelina fiber. Libby Lehman’s book, Threadplay, long out of print, is being reprinted by Quilters Resource (it’s expected sometime this month). Purrfection.com will make you stamps of anything, including your own signature. Show and tell included an amazing pictorial quilt by Michele featuring two children. The water and hair drew particular admiration. Katy had peyote stitch beadwork to show.
Michele has started a blog for us at conversations-in-cloth.blogspot.com. We’ll post the newsletters out there for easy access, but they’ll still be mailed.
Reminders and Announcements
Challenges are due at the JUNE MEETING!!!!!!! 9” x 12” limit:
Conversations with Cloth exists to support and encourage the creative energy of our members in their pursuit of fiber art and related artistic endeavors. By sharing ideas and knowledge, we will foster the growth of each individual.
We will have a display case at the library for the month of July. Plan to display your challenge piece and perhaps another small piece.
We’ve chosen a date for July mess-making at Katy’s house: Friday July 14 starting at 6:00. We’ll be doing flower pounding and bleach discharge. Bring a sandwich and we’ll brown-bag it together. More details in the July newsletter, which won’t be this late.
June Meeting (Thursday June 29, 2006) at the Menasha Public Library
CHALLENGE NIGHT! There will be prizes for “viewers’ choice.” Also bring other small pieces for display in the library case during the month of July. We will have small description cards for you to fill out.
Also in June: Katy will teach a reverse appliqué technique she found in Quilting Arts #3. Supply list:
- Sewing machine, needles, thread for straight stitch and for couching. Walking foot and open toe or couching foot helps.
- Yarn for couching (if you don’t want to couch, bring thread you can satin stitch with instead)
- 2-4 fabrics of equal size (fat quarters or less). Fabrics should have contrast but you should like them together.
- Sewing supplies: Pins, marking pen or pencil, appliqué scissors (duckbill)
Also, if you’re coming to mess night July 14th, bring a yard or two of fabric (light in color) to be prepared for flower pounding. Julie has volunteered to prepare the fabrics by soaking them in soda ash and alum.
Upcoming Events
June 29, 2006: June meeting, 6:00. Challenge night!
July 14, 2006: Potluck and mess-making at Katy’s house
July 27, 2006: July meeting, 6:00. Work night.
August 31, 2006: August meeting, 6:00. Thread scarves with Mary.
September 28, 2006: September meeting, 6:00. Couching party.
Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 at the Menasha Public Library.
