Friday, June 30, 2017

June 2017 Meeting

Announcements
  • Winterthur Museum has received a donation of needlework from Erica Wilson’s family. Their website has a nice blog article about her. (http://museumblog.winterthur.org/2017/03/10/the-julia-child-of-needlework/
  • The International Organization of Lace, Inc. will hold its annual convention at the Radisson Hotel in King of Prussia, PA from July 16-22.  The website is: www.internationalorganizationoflace.org
  • The Chester County Historical Society has an exhibit on quilts. Layer 1 is finished, but Layer 2 is on now. Check out their website: (http://www.chestercohistorical.org/exhibit/quilts-next-layer)
  • We still have charts available for a Teresa Baird ornament. The cost is $15. They are still available and we can order more if we run out. Thanks to Teresa for designing such a beautiful piece!
  • We currently have ~90 members, with several additional folks who have expressed interest in joining.
  • For upcoming classes and seminars, check out Salty Yarns (http://saltyyarns.com/). Coming soon—Jamboree in October. Also check out Strawberry Sampler’s Facebook page for information on classes. They have amended their shop hours to Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 to 3:00.
  • Robin T. is continuing the Corsica River Sampler SAL (a reproduction by Barbara Hudson). If you want to participate and need the pattern or threads, they are available at Salty Yarns. There is also a Facebook page (Corsica River Stitch A Long).
  • Amy G. is looking for donations of stitched items with a bee theme for a bee conference at the end of July at the University of Delaware. In the past, they have received many gorgeous bee related stitched items including pillowcases, placemats, napkins, dishtowels, ornaments, keychains, framed pictures, and knitted/crocheted items as well.  Items donated will be auctioned off as a fundraiser in the daily silent auction.  They will provide a receipt on EAS letterhead for tax purposes for each individual who decides to make a tax-deductible donation. If you have any items for donation, please bring them to the July meeting. Marnie B. will be collecting them. (http://www.easternapiculture.org/
  • Marnie B. is willing to organize a field trip to the Gloucester County Historical Society to view the wedding display. If you haven’t already seen it, or would like to see it again, email her to let her know you are interested. (marnie.b@comcast.net
  • The Conservation Fund committee is accepting proposals for this year’s donation ($1000). If you know any organization that would be interested in applying, see our blog (dvhsg.blogspot.com). 
  • We have a nominating committee and will be looking for folks interested in serving as president and secretary. Caryl has agreed to run again for secretary (unless some else has a burning desire for the position.)
  • The Centre County Historical Society (PA) is hosting an exhibit of needlework through September 24 called “Unraveling the Threads of History”. They are located on College Avenue is State College, very close to the Penn State University Park Main campus.

    June Meeting
Caryl C. shared finishing instructions for Theresa’s Inspiration ornament. The needlework was stitched on 40 count linen and mounted on the top of a round box. The design fits on a 6” round box. Written are outlined below to refer to as you finish your own project. This mounting technique can be used with any box top or shape and can also be used for finishing ornaments.  

Mounting Instructions by Caryl C.

Materials: 
• Papier Mache box (6-inch round works well for this project) 
• Optional--Utility knife and sandpaper 
• Craft paint (acrylic—color of your choice) 
• Spray sealer 
• Backing material to mount needlework (Skirtex, comic board, or mat board) 
• Batting 
• Needle & Thread for basting around your design and lacing to your backing material (I used DMC Perle cotton #8) 
• Stitchery tape to secure needlework to the top of your box (You may also choose to use another type of adhesive) 
• Twisted cord (or other type of purchased cording) to trim the top edge of your box 

Preparing the box: 
1. You can use any shape box for this technique, but for this project, I chose a round one. 
2. Choose the color of craft paint for your box. I recommend a color that coordinates with your needlework. I used Folk Art by Plaid, but there are several other brands that will also work (DecoArt Americana, Delta Ceramcoat, etc.) 
3. Paint the box and lid. I used two coats and only painted the exterior of the box and lid, the top edge of the box, and the bottom edge of the lid. Depending on how the box will be used, you may wish to paint the interior as well. You can also use the same mounting process if you want to line the bottom of your box. 
4. Spray sealer on the painted surfaces. This will keep the paint from chipping away and make it last longer. 

Mounting your finished piece: 
1. Select the type of backing board (Skirtex, comic board, etc.). 
2. Trace the outline of your box lid on the backing material and cut out. Try to cut inside the traced line so that your backing material will be slightly smaller than the box lid. This will allow for wrapping the needlework and make sure you have space to add the cording as your final step. 
3. Attach a piece of batting to one side of the backing material. I used stitchery tape to attach the batting. You could also use glue.  Waited until attached to trim to size. 
4. Turn your needlework to the wrong side and lay the backing material, batting side down on the fabric. Come out about an inch and draw a light pencil line around the piece. This is on the back of your finished piece and won’t show.
5. Using a needle and some Perle cotton, stitch a basting line around the outside edge of your pencil line making sure to leave a good length of thread on either end. The ends should be on the right side of your fabric. 
6. Lay your backing material (batting side down) on your needlework and keeping it on a flat surface, put one hand on the backing material. Gather the threads with your other hand and gently pull to gather it around your backing material. Pull it as tight as you can and tie the ends in a secure knot. 
7. Before lacing, look at the piece from the front and make sure it is positioned properly. If not,  gently move to position correctly. 
8. Use a good length of Perle cotton to lace the back of your piece. Start with one pass from top to bottom and another side to side. Continue around the circle like the spokes of a wheel. When finished, secure the thread. (In a pinch, you can also use dental floss) See Figure  
9. Position the piece on the top of your box, and attach with stitchery tape or glue. Once it has dried, decide on the thickness of your cording. Wait until this step to see just how much room I would have so I could decide on the width of the cord. 
11. Run a length of glue around the top edge and attach your cording. For a nice finished edge to your cording, use some glue on either end and you can then cut a clean edge. Waited until almost finished to make the second clean edge so you will know exactly where to make my cut. 
12. If you are not happy with the joining, you can use some ribbon or more twisted cord to make a bow and glue in place. 
Thank you Caryl!


Upcoming Class

Registration is now open and the deadline is our July Meeting (July 8th) to sign up for the Lauren Sauer Class on September 16 and 17, 2017.  See our "CLASSES" tab above for photos of the two projects and information on signing up.   

Check out our FB page - Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild.

(Sorry readers, I was not at the meeting.....I didn't see any meeting photos posted to FB of Show n Tell.)