National Exhibition 2013

Marlbourgh was well represented in the Exhibition with nine entries being accepted, one of them winning the Innovation award and one a Merit certificate.

This black alpaca wrap with a central cotton crochet lace panel incorporating crochet flowers was made by Win and very fittingly won the Innovation award sponsored by Kim Thittichai.  In the catalogue a different photograph shows it draped on a mannequin and it looks even better than it does here. Congratulations Win.

Chris's signature block weave mohair throw looked cosy and warm even though it is in cool colours. This photo under gallery lighting doesn't do it justice.  Below is her table runner, the end result of a group project on three-shaft petit point pick up weave. Very impressive Chris.

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 It was very satisfying to have four pieces of handwoven linen from our group on display.  June's runner is in the photo above and Win's below.

 These two runners are by Rose; the lower one was granted a Merit award from the Linen Trust.  Why that piece was singled out is a mystery because all the linen was beautifully executed. Perhaps it was because it was hemstitched.

The emphasis of the Festival was on Fashion and yardage of all varieties was asked for. This is Rose's piece in cotton, linen and silk.

The Felters were represented by Christine with this piece incorporating silver wire and mounted on perspex.  It was appropriately titled 'Every Cloud has a Silver Lining.' Note the red dot!  In fact our members had several sales to add to the satisfaction of being accepted.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo but Jan also represented the felters in the Runway Show. She entered a three-piece outfit named 'Hot Sunrise' comprised of a nuno felted pink skirt and navy top, complemented by a felt hat.  It looked great coming down the runway.

Well done everyone . . . but where were our spinners and knitters?

The Festival will be in Dunedin next year.  The time to start planning is NOW.

Festival 2013

It was a treat to go to the Festival at Porirua and have no organising to do and no responsibility for running the show . . . unlike last year when Marlborough was host.  Several of us hopped on the ferry or a plane and met up at a rented house close to the action. We were joined by Judith and Helene from Hokitika and Lesley from Wellington. Eleven of us filled the spacious house and its attached flat and were very comfortable as you will see from the photos.

 On the ferry.  Every day is Knit In Public Day with Creative Fibre members.

In the house . . plenty of room to socialise.

The day's events were discussed at length.

Exhibition photos in a day or two so keep watching.

April 2013

Our April meeting was held just a few days before Festival and we were fortunate to have overseas tutor, spinning guru Patsy Z to visit. The vest she was wearing came in for much scrutiny and discussion.

And she showed another no-fuss no-cut design.

And here is some of her expert spinning, silk  plied with metallic thread, perfectly suitable for a warp as seen in this scarf.

Our topic for the evening, ably led by Win, was the combination of techniques. Here are some of the examples.

 June's handwoven vest with beaded cross-wheel buttons and hand-made braid.

 Rose's woven bag with kumihimo braid and embroidered with beads.

 Joan's jacket woven by Marion Day, trimmed with yards of hand-made braid.

 Win's jacket, still giving good service after many years. The heavily fulled weaving the the knitted ribbed bands will not wear out.

 Joan's handwoven jacket, also heavily fulled, has a couched novelty yarn for accent.

We always love to see Chris's handwoven Swedish Lace afghan embroidered with Beatrix Potter figures.

Nancy really suits her felted hat trimmed with a multitude of crochet motifs.

Now several of us are off to Porirua for Festival 2013.

Tapestry Weavers

The Tapestry Weavers were meeting at Barbara's so I took the opportunity to drop in for some photos.

No tapestries in sight but cookies, coffee and grapes were being enjoyed in the sun.

Win had sent off her 'Mountains to the Sea' entry to Wellington and was leafing through a magazine for inspiration.
Look for the Australia/NZ Tapestry Exchange exhibit at Festival.

Jenny has a look at the eco-dyed merino top Jan is wearing and was updated on how it's done.

March Meeting Part 3 of 3

Show and Tell: Joan was pleased to finally get this finished as it was woven on an 8-shaft table loom. Evedryone really liked the mix of colours and the asymmetric design.

Jen has been making scarves and working through the patterns she discovered at our last workshop. Well done Jen.

 Rose had just finished her Cross Country assignment on Deflected Double Weave. The top photo shows front and reverse of one pattern and the bottom photo shows the difference after a minor change in the tie-up.

Nancy was just back from a cruising holiday and showed some paper quilling she learned on board.

Win also had an item to show but as it is under wraps until the National Festival in Porirua this month the photo won't be posted this time.

March Meeting : Part 2 of 3

 Joan showed examples of Eco dyeing which she first did in a workshop with the now famous India Flint.

Different effects are achieved by wrapping various plant and leaf items, and/or metal nuts, bolts, nails and old hardware in the wetted fabric. 

Everyone was given a small piece of felt which they made into a tightly bound package with the dye materials.

We each went home with a worm-like creature with instructions to leave it in a sunny spot for several days (or weeks?).  Time will tell what results we get.

March Meeting: Part 1 of 3

 Joan took the meeting on the topic of dyeing and overdyeing.  Here she gives us an eye-opener about  the results that can be achieved.  The cones are the 'before' and the knitted jersey is 'after.'  How cheerful is that!

And it's not all about wool. Here is some ribbon, purpose dyed for the job.

and fabric transformed.

Look for part two in a few days.

Peg just keeps on weaving . . .

 Autumn is here and Peg wastes no time getting into the autumn tones.

 She loves to show off the beautiful colours of the recycled sari silk.

But it is her damask weaving that 'sings'.

Even when she's not weaving she keeps her fingers busy. This is a stuffed knitted tube, coiled, mounted and sold!

We wish Marilyn Rea-Manzies well in her transition from Christchurch to Hamilton. Here she and Peg browse through Peg's visitors' book for memories of the 'old days.'  Go well Marilyn and get weaving soon!

Spot the handweaving!

At the grand parade of the Otago Goldfields Cavalcade which arrived in Tapanui on 2 March were several well-dressed horses. Spot the handwoven saddle blankets.