UPDATE 4 March 2024

Sadly, the day has come when I have to report that our Peg has died. Everyone who knew her had got used to the feeling that she would be there forever, but finally she came to the end of her very long life on Friday 26 January. She was 106 years old! As you will see from the above photos she retained her bright personality and her interest in what was going on around her till the end. The top two photos were taken by Gendy just a short time before Peg died. The birthday one was on her 106th birthday, July 9 2023. Peg spent the last few months of her life with her daughter Gendy and son-in-law Tom who took exceptional care of her, with other family members helping out as well.

At the Marlborough Museum there is a small exhibition representative of Peg's work over the years. This will be displayed for a few weeks to honour Peg, the first Marlborough Cultural Treasure.

Rest in Peace Peg 1917 -- 2024

 

Taking a Break

Marlborough Weavers are not taking a break - they are as busy as ever with new weavers and lots of enthusiasm. But technology has moved on and those of our members who have moved with it are more likely to view our facebook page than check out this blog. Both platforms have been established (at different times) by enthusiastic members but I seem to be the "caretaker" of both of them for now. I have decided to post photos and messages to only one page rather than duplicate my efforts and, as more of our members are familiar with facebook, and some even prepared to post photos, I will use that from now on. The blog will remain live and who knows what use we may make of it in the future. In the meantime, please keep your eye on Marlborough Weavers on facebook. Rose Pelvin

July Meeting

 Saori and "wavy stick" beating were the topics set. As the one wavy stick we owned seems to have disappeared, that discussion was very brief. Saori weaving stimulated more discussion though the more experienced weavers seemed rather quiet on the subject. A Japanese dvd with English (hard to read) sub-titles gave many examples of Saori weaving and, among other things, its therapeutic uses.

Rose then presented a light-hearted slide show giving what she felt was the nearest thing to saori weaving she had accomplished.

Show and Tell, each with a close-up below.

Mary had woven off the warp she had for the recent workshop and worked magic folding techniques to complete these cushion covers.

Joan had utilised some linen for this lovely "Wandering Vine" wrap.

Anne had another example of honeycomb weave, planning to use it for upholstery.

Chris has endless ways of presenting crackle weave. We are just not used to seeing it in these colours.

Just off the loom, another crackle variation in fabulous mohair from Chris.

Also from Chris, a little late for the honeycomb meeting, but full marks for coming up with a sample.

Handspun warp and weft, and woven on a rigid heddle loom, Joy is wasting no time getting on with her new craft.

Very fine wool with a 20 epi sett had a few warp threads migrating slightly but this did not detract from its lovely soft feel It would be lovely to wear. The photo below is not true to colour; it should be more navy. 

Rose says Christmas can come whenever it likes now - she is ready to adorn her tree with a beaded gold braid made with a bobbin lace technique.

June Meeting -- Upholstery

 Upholstery was the topic chosen for the June meeting and Anne had sent to Cross Country Weavers for samples. The CCW library is sorted in weave types rather than end uses but Librarian Elaine happily sorted through and found all sorts of possibilities from the various sections and sent us a whole big bundle. I am always impressed with how useful this resource is . . . and it costs only the return postage.

As well, some people brought along remnants and offcuts of fabric that has been used for interior decor . . . curtains, cushions, seat covers, wall fabric and a few "whatevers". Lots of possibilities and lots of discussion.

Not many show and tell items this month but the ones that were there were all interesting:

These cheerful kitchen cloths would brighten anyone's day. Joy has been working on her own system for devising colour schemes.

Anne made a large throw in cotton using large scale Ms&Os.

Another piece from Anne. Having successfully produced a top fashion dog coat for Chester, she is now ready to hit the doggie fashion market with this plaid.

Noelene made this very fine scarf with huck lace stripes using rayon.

Betty was keen to try something from the Baby Blanket book in our library and came up with this cotton one with canvas weave stripes.

Show and Tell for May

 

Above and below - a new kind of peggy square. These are woven diagonally on a peg loom by Joan W.

Above and below . . . Overshot runners, woven in linen by Joan McL

What was a wild-looking mohair fleece of Kathryn's has been tamed and spun by Joan W.

Above and below . . . Betty's woven travel diary. On a pre-lockdown travel, Betty bought a ball of wool in every country she passed through. This is the wonderful result.

Crisp and clean, woven in candlewick cotton by Joy.

Four photos showing Mary's 3 metre warp from the recent workshop. She has certainly taken on board the "one threading, many weaves" and is now doing some magic origami folding to turn it into a fabulous cushion.

More samples from the workshop. Sorry, I'm not sure whose this one is.

A work in progress. Rose is hoping to combine fine weaving with bobbin lace.