October 2017 Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS -

New members were welcomed and special hello was said to Nan Benson visiting from Arizona.   FYI to new members and a reminder to existing members, a stitched name tag must be worn at all meetings.   New members have a two month grace period.   Member's attending a meeting without a name tag must pay a $1 fee which is dedicated to our Conservation Fund.  

Upcoming at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD

Ann S. shared information about a lecture from 9 to 1 on November 4th.   The speaker is from Early Southern Decorative Arts of Winston-Salem, NC.  (MESDA) (See link above.)  Maryland Quilts will be shared and discussed.    

Upcoming at Winterthur

Natalie Brown shared information on a needlework seminar in March at Wintherthur.   It will be mostly canvas work.   More information to follow.

Elections
Ann S. and Lynn D. worked together on the Nominating Committee for this year's election of officers.  Two positions are open:   President and Secretary.   Before reviewing the slate and proceeding with the elections, Ann S.  shared all our appreciation to Susan D. our current DVHSG President for her hard work and efforts for our group.  Only the President's position is open on the ballot as Caryl C. has agreed to continue as our Secretary.   MaryRita M. is on the ballot for President.    Nominations requested from the floor but there were none.   A vote was called for MaryRita M and MR was elected our new President taking office January 1st.   Congratulations MR!

Insuring your needlework

In light of the hurricane disasters and fires on the west coast it makes you think about losing your needlework.  A value should be put on it.   A recent podcast by On Gary Parr entitled "Fiber Talk" there was a short discussion about valuing needlework for insurance purposes.  This episode aired on October 11, 2018.  For more information go to The Needles Worth.    To access the podcast, download an app such as "Podcasts" for Apple (or similar for Smart Phones/Droids)  You can also access via YouTube searching for "fiber Talks" or on "Flosstube"  

PROGRAMS

• Our SAL for completing WIP's continues.   The binder for recording your completed stitched pieces was circulated for any new entries.
• November - Our November meeting will take place at the Sheraton Wilmingon South, 365 Airport Road, Wilmington.   We will have a lecture from Doug Krenik of Krenik Fibers.  Sample packages of floss are available for pre-order.   The package consists of 32 spools and skeins and patterns for $70.   It is a $200 value.  Contact Caryl C. if you are interested in pre-ordering.  Admission is free for DVHSG members; guest entry fee will be $25 which will include  a one-year membership to DVHSG.  There is also a Webcast on Fiber Talk featuring an interview with Doug Krenik that is worth listening to.   
• December - holiday gift exchange and luncheon
• January -  share holiday related stitching gifts. 2018 SAL announcements
• February -  Pat Yergey of Samplers Revisited will be our guest speaker.
• March -  Nikki’s Creations from Italy Flower Pot needleroll.  See the project below; more info on sign-ups, etc. will follow.
  

SHOW & TELL

 By Francine - Summer House Worked completed and mounted in a shadow box.

Above - Francine obtained this vintage rocker pincushion from eBay and used some existing smalls as seat covers!  Below - Francine repurposed existing smalls on this wooden block for a cute holiday cube.

12 Days of Christmas from Prairie Schooler by new member Eileen

BJ S. stitched this 'embroiderer's notebook' from A Mon Ami Pierre, called Reves Broduere

 Lisa has already completed the goodie bag treat from our October Retreat last weekend at Salty Yarns.  It is Spirits & Spells from Brenda Gervais.

 Patrick shared the three dolls he has completed.

Three more from Eileen.   

 First, above 

 Second, a Sweetheart Tree design

And third, a Shepherd's Bush Christmas stocking.

 Our ever-innovative Patrick created these chatelaines

PROGRAM

This month's program was a discussion and exhibit of Japanese Embroidery by DVHSG member Pat L.    Pat provided us an overview of Japanese Embroidery.   Pat started her journey into Japanese Embroidery after seeing works on display at the Annual Woodlawn Exhibit.   While there, she picked up a card from teacher Toni Evans and they rest is history.   Pat travels monthly to Maryland for her classes.   Each phase consists of several options to choose from for the students.  Each phase introduces a new technique or skill with each lesson building on the instructions of the previous lessons.    After the first ten phases of instructions are completed, Pat can receive a certificate as an instructor.   

Pat is on Phase IX currently.  Phase X requires she travel to Atlanta GA to the Japanese Embroidery Center.   Her nine prior phase pieces will be evaluated to assure she has perfected each before she stitches Phase X and is awarded the certificate.   Following certificate after Phase X, there are 10 more Phases to perfect your skills!  

Japanese Embroidery is all stitched in silk and on silk.   Of course, there is a gold work element as well.   The Japanese Embroidery is a journey of Zen and Art.  It is different then any other type of embroidery.  There are a lot of rules on the path to acquire technical skills and knowledge, understanding the world and the art, and accepting tranquility.  

 Phase I - featuring flat silk, twisting silk, cords and spacing.

  

Phase II/III - featuring padding, cords, tassels, super imposed work and gold work.
Phase III - featuring Gold work...not really gold.  Real gold would be so expensive.  

Phase IV - featuring gold work.  While some may stitch this in real gold, using real gold would only be done by the "Rich and Famous" shall we say.   Much too costly to use.

Phase V - featuring cords.  There are 18 different types of cords used.  Pat says this was her most intimidating piece to date.

Phase VI - featuring allternating long and short stitches, realistic stitching, more gold work and working with metallic background fabrics.  

Phase VII - This is Pat's favorite piece.   Japanese embroidery is so strict she needed to get approval from the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta to stitch these pansies on the black background.   What if they didn't approve?   They would not have provided the pattern for the work.  

Phase VII - featuring fuzzy work....stretching the silk with each stitch laid in the valley.

Phase IX - Pat is currently working on Phase IX, super imposed work.  

 Above - tissue paper pattern is held in place with tiny magnets.

Japanese Embroidery comes with it's own set of tools.  According to historians, this type of stitching is from early Japan when it was used for decorative stitching on costumes for the ladies of court.  During early times, it was only done by a select group and only the highest of society could afford to do this work.  Japanese Embroidery is now available to a wider audience while continuing with its underlying spiritual purpose.  

 Pat must use authentic Japanese tools such as hand milled needles ranging in price from $8 to $20 per needle and a tachabari, Japanese laying tool.   Below is her floor stand.   Much like a slate frame and a requirement for Japanese Embroidery.  Work my be held flat to for stitching.

  Twelve strands of silk across Nan's fingers....thinning than a fine hair!

Thank you Pat!   I have seen Pat's display before but each time I come away with more knowledge and a deeper appreciation of Japanese Embroidery.  

October 2016 Meeting

 Business Meeting

We will be voting for Vice President/Program Chair and Treasurer at our November meeting. Stacy S. has agreed to run again for Vice President and Patrick B. will assist. Nancy F. has agreed to run for Treasurer. We will also take nominations from the floor. Thank you to the Nominating Committee (Lynn D., Robin T. and Ann S.) and those who are willing to take offices!

October Program 

Seems we had a bit of a mix up with our program for October but we were quick to recover and move on.  Our originally scheduled Button Program needed to be rescheduled to a future meeting and guild member Kathy R. was gracious enough to jump in at the last minute.  She brought  her wonderful Halloween collection to share. 

Just to give you some ideas of size......the first piece on the left in that back - a piece dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe - measures approximately 18 by 24.  

 She has an amazing collection and we all wonder how she will fit all of the items in her house! Kathy was a real champ for filling in at the last minute!   Thank you!

Upcoming Programs

November: Cynthia Steinhoff will give a presentation on antique samplers. Cynthia will discuss samplers in her collection from around the state of Pennsylvania. Examples range from Quaker samplers made in Chester County and near Pittsburgh to samplers made in small towns throughout the state. She will also bring a Delaware sampler that will be discussed in the upcoming book by Gloria Seaman Allen, “Delaware Discoveries”. Her samplers will be on view during the meeting.

Cynthia is the director of the Andrew G. Truxal Library at Anne Arundel Community College near Annapolis, where she has worked for 33 years. She is editor of “Delaware Discoveries” and also researched some of the samplers that are featured in the book. Cynthia, originally from the Pittsburgh area, graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania when it was still called Edinboro State College and earned a master of science degree in library science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a master of business administration degree from the University of Baltimore.

December: Our annual holiday exchange and luncheon. The guild will provide the wraps and paper goods and members are asked to bring a dessert or side dish to share. We will have a sign-up sheet next month. It’s not too early to get started on your exchange piece! It does not have to have a holiday theme, but should be some type of needlework accessory, preferably with a sampler theme.

January: We will review the results of the 2016 needlework challenge and members will share all of the cool needlework items they receive for Christmas.

February: Pat L. will give a presentation on her beautiful Japanese embroidery. Also, Patrick B. will tell us about the Shinto “Broken Needle” ceremony.

March: TBD

April: Betsy Morgan will be with us again for our meeting and will be teaching a project in the afternoon. Members will have the opportunity to make a tassel during the program that will be used for the scissor fob in the class project. If you are not going to take the class, we will let you know what supplies to bring and you can make a cord and tassel for use in one of your own projects.  The design will be modified slightly as it was created for the Louden Sampler Guild. Our design will feature a blue hen, a different flower, and blue fabric for the lining. We will start taking registrations in November and accept them until January. We will have the forms available at the meeting and will also send them with next month’s newsletter.  Details will also be added to our "Classes" tab above.

 

Fall of 2017: Lauren Sauer will be here to teach two samplers. This will be held on the weekend after our September meeting.

Upcoming Needlework Events

Winterthur will be holding a needlework symposium October 14 and 15, 2016. Registration is now open. Check their website for details to see what is still available. http://www.winterthur.org/

Exhibit: The Instruction of Young Ladies—Arts from Private Girls’ Schools and Academies in Early America (September 24-December 31) at the Fenimore Art Museum (http://www.fenimoreartmuseum.org/instruction).

Show and Tell

Members were encouraged to bring their own Halloween items.   It is always fun to see the variety of pieces and finishing.   And it was great to gush over the variety. We also got some great ideas for decorating and searching out new projects. Hands On Designs, Cricket Collection and Heartstring Samplary are some great sources for Halloween patterns. 

Stitched by Evalyn G.

Stitched by Jean T.

Stitched by Marnie B.

Stitched by Stacy S.

Stitched by Carolyn N.

Stitched by Carolyn N.

 Stitched by Deb S.

 Stitched by Ellen P.

Stitched by Ellen P.

And some non-Halloween Show 'n Tell

 Stitched by Stacy S.

Stitched by Stacy S.

Stitched by Caryl C.  Part of the Beatles Series.   Guess which song represents?

Stitched by Caryl C.

Stitched by Caryl C.

 A huge THANK YOU to our very competent and thorough Caryl C. who, as always emails a fabulous newsletter and also emailed me the photos since I missed this month's meeting.  
See everyone in November!

As always, please let me know of any edits....especially this month as I was absent from the meeting.   

September 2016 Meeting

June Peterson, resident of Cokesbury, joined our meeting.   June has some lovely stitched and fiber arts pieces on display in the showcase for the month of September.   Due to the construction, we don't walk past the display case on our way in.   It is worth a side trip to see the pieces she had on display.  We hope June joins our meeting again.

Upcoming Meetings

For the October Meeting, Jennifer L. will provide a talk on buttons.   She will share a history of buttons, talk about her collection and how she got into button collecting.   She will have buttons for sale.  

For the November Meeting, Cynthia Steinholt will discuss Pennsylvania Samplers.  

For the December Meeting, it will be our Annual Holiday Luncheon and Exchange and covered dish luncheon.   Your small should be sampler themed and must be a stitched piece.   If you bring a wrapped small, you get to participate in the exchange.   Whether you bring a piece to exchange or not, it is always a great meeting and a real treat to see the beautiful stitched exchange items.  More details on the luncheon and sign up sheets will follow.

For January 2017 (what how did we get to 2017!  I remember Y2K!), please bring in any holiday stitching related items you received.  We will also be wrapping up the 2016 Challenge.   

DVHSG Business

The revisions to the By-Law and the Standing Rules were introduced at the August Meeting.  The revisions were also shared via email to all members.  The By-Laws and Standing Rules were discussed again at the September Meeting.   The main changes include the alternating terms of officers.   President and Secretary will be elected in odd years; Vice President and Treasurer will be elected in even years.   This will lend continuity to the leadership of our organization.   In addition, some Committees were changed to better reflect the current direction of DVHSG.  Copies of the new laws and rules will be added to the new member pack.

     Member, Marney B, moved to accepted the new By-Laws and Standing Rules as presents.   Seconded by            Pat L.    All in favor.

Upcoming Events

The Mancuso Quilt Show - Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, will be at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Oaks, PA from September 15th through 18th.

Embroidery: The Language of Art and needlework symposium will be October 14th and 15th.  Please go to www.winterthur.orghttp://www.winterthur.org for more information.  

The Instruction of Young Ladies: Arts from Private Girls Schools and Academies in Early America  will be at the James Fenimore Cooper Museum in Coopertowns NY starting on September 24th through December 31, 2016.  

Show and Tell

 Jean T. found this danish bell pull in an antique shop.   What a great find!

Jean T. stitched this sampler from Shakespeare's Peddler.   It is the Jane Philpott Sampler

B. J. S. stitched Day Into Night by designed by Judy Soliolus.

Carol W. has been on the hunt for the polish pottery pieces featured in an Olde Colonial Design series of patterns.   The egg cup on the right in the next in the series.    The cheese/butter dish on the left is an e-Bay find for another piece in the set.   Designer, Pat Reed, stopped selling these because the pottery was no longer available.   Great find Carol.

Mary Rita stitched the doll below.  It is one of the series by Julia Manfredini.   This was one that was taught in Williamsburg.

Just love her sweet little purse.

This is also stitched by Mary Rita.   It is a Laura Perrin design.  The colors are so vibrant.

Robin T. shared her Pining to Stitch set of smalls.   This was an EGA pattern designed by a guild in Maine.

Ellen P. stitched up and finished these little cuties.

Kathy R. did a fabulous job on Snooty Parrots by Barbara Ana Designs......but I didn't get a photo  :-( 

And here's a lovely collection of  the Grace Mason Sampler from Of Female Worth.   The 'Jersey Girls' saw Susan D. stitching this a while back and eight of them jumped on the bandwagon to do it as a stitch-a-long among themselves.  

 

More Grace Mason.......I am one of the stitcher's and I have to say it was an enjoyable piece to stitch and I for one was very happy when I got down to the bottom corner that the border met!  The one on the top left is really not that dark, it was in the shadow.

Although eight of us stitched Grace, first Susan and then the seven from Jersey, only six were photographed today.   One of the girls had to leave early and another has transplanted herself to Tennessee.   Image that!   It was fun to see them all together.   Different count fabrics were used.   Above, top center is Pat L. on 40 count.   Robin T. to the left of her on 36 count and the rest seem to be on 32 count.   Color changes were made with the floss as well.  Stitchers used different reds and greens and golds.

Below, Karen M. on the left might have stitched on 30 count.

 And then were were changes to the verse.....it was originally charted with a verse from Proverbs.

Carol W. and Pat L. changed their verse to the following.

And Karen M. removed the verse altogether adding birds and trees instead.

It was fun to work on together and encourage each other along the way.    The Jersey Girls are off embarking on finding a new piece as a stitch-a-long.  

Program 

Carla Bates from The Frame Shop in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania was our guest speaker for today's meeting.  She led a discussion on framing and  conducted a tutorial on pinning your needlework rather than lacing it.  She comes to us with 30 years of framing experience.

Carla strongly suggests to never use masking tape to bind edges!  Even once the tape is removed, residue of the adhesive it still there.  Also the glue will attract bugs which will eat the grain based glues.  When the bugs are done with the remains of the glue.....they could move to your fabric!    

Glass selection is important and a personal choice.    Conservation glass will reduce fading.  One side of the glass is coated and the framer needs to be sure to have the coated side towards the fabric.   If left  facing outward, it could become scratched and leave a visible marking on the glass.  Museum glass is a good option.   Your glass however should never rest directly on your fabric.  Space between the glass and the fabric allows for airflow.   Matting and spacers can accomplish this.  

Frames are decorative as well as functional   Dust covers should always be added to the back of a framed piece.   This will also deter insects.   Frames should have enough depth and weight to support the weight of the project.  Carla also used aluminum barrier tape to keep fabric away from the wood of the frame to seal off the acid migration from the wood to the fabric.  

For lacing, you start at one end working stitches a quarter of an inch apart toward the other end with one long long thread  ( I use #5 perle cotton) Work horizontally on your piece as shown above.   Once completed, turn your piece 90 degrees and repeat the stitch every quarter inch.   You than pull an excess in the lacing tighten and to ensure a taunt, flat, centered, stretched piece of needlework.  

Pinning has the flexibility to undo and fix a missed stitch.  Foam core and straight pins are used.   The center of each side of both the cut foam core and your needlework are measured out.  Then the center of the fabric is mounted  to the center of the foam core.  Alternating side to side and top to bottom working your way out from the center to the corners.   Stainless steel straight pins can be used but climate control issues and head of the pin may still rust and leave marks on your fabric.   Carla prefers the use of rust proof pins. 

Carla provided us each with a piece of foam core and a selection of frames to choose from and we were off to the races.

This is how much I was able to get down in class.   Should be EZ-PZ to finish up.