CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY CHAPTER
NEWS
September 2005

WEBSITE ADDRESS: WWW.CRVC-EGA.ORG

Just a reminder.... Let Lisa Green know at klg7641@comcast.net if you have a new email account.

October Meeting: Saturday, October 15th

Meeting Site:  Linda Berry's Home at 203 Tunxis Road, West Hartford (please email [dlberry1@aol.com] or phone [860-521-9709] Linda for directions if needed)

We will be starting off the new stitching year with two possibilities for you.  We will offer two classes.  Lynn Payette, our local celebrity teacher, will join us to teach her "Dragon".  This first day will get us started on the design, and a second day of instruction will take place on February 11th.  A second group led by Julia and made up of those members who would like to stitch Tanya Berlin's "Etui" will work together to begin that project.  A second gathering for this group will also take place on February 11th.  We invite you to bring one or both of these projects to our meeting in December.  We would love to see your progress and find answers to any questions that may have arisen.  All of the teaching fees and other costs of the class will be paid by the chapter.  Your only cost is the price of the kits.  It is possible to be a member of Lynn's class and purchase the kit for Tanya's project.

The schedule for the day will be:    10 AM to 12:30 PM        Class

                                                                12:30 PM to 1:30 PM     Lunch and Meeting

                                                                1:30 PM to 3 PM            Class

Bring something for show and tell, maybe the stitching you have been working on since our June meeting.  You are all welcome to attend the meeting, even if you do not wish to participate in the class.  Bring your stitching and listen as we learn.

Students in Lynn's Class --

STUDENT SUPPLIES:  Needles (a variety of sharp and blunt, including a beading needle); invisible thread; white sewing thread; and very sharp, small scissors (for trimming sheers); a piece of fabric at least 14" x 18" or a garment, on which to stitch. A complete list of supplies and suggestions will be sent to the student.

Students in Tanya's Class -- Please bring the following:

                    Material - 16 count Hardanger fabric or a 32 count linen OR any type of
                    counted fabric as long as the count is either 16 Aida or 32 threads to
                    the inch.  The fabric needs to be 24" long and 54" wide to cover all the panels.

                    Thread - DMC embroidery floss as follows:

                            DMC 3362
                            DMC 3347
                            DMC 931
                            DMC 433

                    A 4" or 5" embroidery hoop, needles, embroidery scissors are needed for project.

For the October class each student should bring a pair of shears for cutting, 4 plastic bags to be used for the cut pieces, and the above supplies so we can begin stitching.

A new challenge was handed out in June.  You may still join in, so look for the information at this meeting.  Our plans are to have a display of the results at next year's annual meeting in April.

The descriptions of October's projects below tell you more:
 

Lynn's Dragon

PROFICIENCY LEVEL:  Basic/Intermediate

TIME:  Two Days (October 15th and February 11th)

PRICE OF KIT:  $52.00

GROUND FABRIC:  Student's choice
Can be worked on fabric {14" x 18"}, or a
garment (See student letter included)

SIZE:  6 1/2" x 8 1/2"

DESCRIPTION:
A "bejeweled" and "bedecked" black and gold winged Dragon with piercing red eyes is stitched on a student's choice of background; (the pictured model is worked on greeny gold silk dupioni).  He is worked in a variety of surface stitches, appliqué (of both sheers and opaque fabrics), beading, and (gold) metallic techniques.  Though he is stitched mostly in black and gold, tiny touches of teal, blue, green and rust iridescent beads and metallic threads can be sprinkled here and there.  The student will be given a complete materials list prior to the class so that color embellishment choices may be made, if desired.  The kit, however, contains enough embellishments in black and gold to complete the Dragon.

His body sections are padded (with felt) and are then covered with velours, and metallic (fabrics).  These are then overstitched with a variety of threads, fibers, metallics, beads and techniques.  Several types of edgings (for fabrics) will be taught, including couching of silks, metallics and novelty threads, buttonhole on a back stitch, twisted cord, and whipped back stitch.  Overstitching will include buttonhole, raised chain, couching.

The Dragon's wings are first worked in sheers in "stitch and cut" appliqué, or are applied with a bondable web.  They are further defined using a variety of stitches, threads and fibers.  Stitches taught include raised chain, raised outline, couching combinations (mixing techniques, threads and metallics), and bead work (including stitching on beads using fly stitch).  His claws are worked in beads (these can be stitched into the "Orb", or worked on fine wire, if the student chooses to use a large bead for the "Orb"); and his nails are black metallic stitches.  His face and "ears" are worked in split, outline, chain and couching with flosses, silks and metallic threads.

Many techniques and ideas for working the Dragon will be demonstrated, and the student will be encouraged to choose from these to use on their own Dragons.  No two Dragons in the class will be alike; at the end of the second day, a "show and tell" will be held, so that all the students will be able to see what others have done.

KIT CONTENTS:  Working frame (mounted with muslin backing fabric); sheer and opaque black and gold fabrics, netting, silks, and velours; felt; fibers and threads (flosses, pearl cottons, novelty threads); beads, black and gold metallics (including Japanese gold, pearl purl, metallic braids, Cresta d'oro, metallic ribbons.

Lynn's Dragon

 

Tanya's BLACKWORK ETUI BOX

The Etui Box is for all levels of embroiderers.  This kit has a 13 page Instruction Booklet (8 1/2 by 11 or A4 size sheets) with diagrams for the Blackwork stitches.  The instructions are detailed and concise, written with the beginner in mind and intended to guide embroiderers of any level through the embroidery from beginning to end.

Working the embroidery:  A thirteen page Instruction booklet guides you through each stitch with diagrams and concise instructions.

The four outside panels and the lid of the box are knot garden designs.  The hedges of the knot gardens are worked in cross stitch, in-between the hedges different Blackwork patterns are embroidered.  Included in the kit are 83 different Blackwork patterns to choose from and 16 different border designs that can be worked around the rim of the lid. 

The kit can be worked in traditional black on white or with colored threads and fabrics depending on the embroiderer's preference.  The inside panels of the box can also be worked with Blackwork patterns or they can be covered in a complimentary fabric.

This Blackwork project is suitable for beginner to advanced embroiderers.  Tanya is offering free correspondence and free on going critique for this kit, for more details go to - Free on going critique.

EMBROIDERY SIZE         Height: 5 inches (13 cm)         Width: 4 inches (10 cm)

KIT CONTENTS  Thirteen page Instruction Booklet  |  Pattern for knot gardens  |  Blackwork patterns  |  Cardboard templates to make the box  |  Instructions to construct box. You will need to provide fabric, threads and tacky glue.

KIT COST  $40.75

Outside of box

     

Inside of box

     

Inside of box

Tanya's Etui Box - outside       Tanya's Etui Box - inside       Tanya's Etui Box - opened

Please fill in the registration coupon to enroll in either of these groups.  Please note that the deadline for signing up for Lynn's class and ordering Tanya's box is September 10th.
 


Stitching Getaways:  The following is the schedule for the West Side Day and Evening groups.  They will meet in the months that we do not have a chapter meeting, and a focus for each meeting is listed below:

DAY

EVENING

Sept. 20 Lisa Green will discuss Japanese embroidery (Note new date!) Sept. 27 Please note this meeting has been cancelled
Nov. 8 Kathryn Lord will demonstrate triple matting Nov. 22 Julia Appell will discuss finishing of small counted thread items

The West Side Day group will be meeting from 10 AM to 1:30 PM at Suzanne Newton's house in West Simsbury.  Bring along your lunch and a project you are working on and/or any project you would like to share.  Please email or phone Suzanne at sfnjsn@sbcglobal.net or 860-658-2037 if you plan to attend.

The West Side Evening group will meet at Julia Appell's house in Farmington from 6:30 PM to 9 PM.  For those coming from work, bring your supper or a sandwich.  Also, bring along a stitching project or something you would like help with or are willing to share.  Please contact Julia at juliaappell@comcast.net or 860-677-9125.

Pequot Colony -- The New London Library will be undergoing major renovation starting in October of this year.  Rather than trying to find another room where they can meet, they have decided to have their stitch-ins at various members' homes.  The schedule for October and November is as follows:

10/20/05 - Barbara Crum's house at 100 Cove Road, Stonington, 06378

11/17/05 - Barbara's

Barb Crum's house will be back-up for any month that the hostess named isn't available.  Doris will be a backup for Barb, especially in the winter.

If more information is needed, call Doris Boas at 860-572-8441, or email ndboas@worldnet.att.net.

Is anyone interested in joining a knitting group?  This would be open to experienced knitters as well as those who would like to learn.  Day of the week and time are still to be determined.  If you think this is a good idea and would like to be a part of it, please contact Julia at juliaappell@comcast.net or 860-677-9125.
 


December Meeting: Saturday, December 10th - Luncheon and hands-on beading with Linda Berry

February Meeting: Saturday, February 11th - Part 2 of October classes

Annual Meeting: Saturday, April 8th - Luncheon, elections, challenges due plus morning program

June Meeting: Workshop (June 3 & 4?)
 


Thistle Needleworks has received a donation from a former member who is moving out of state, Pat Burke of West Hartford.  Judie told her she would find a good home for them  --  them being older issues of Needle Arts.  It was Judie's thought that newer members might be interested in copies of the magazine from before they joined the organization.  There are issues from volume 7 number 2 (Spring 1976) through volume XXIII number 1 (March 1982) (somewhere in that time they switched from Arabic to Roman numerals).  Anyone interested in any (or all!) of these magazines may pick them up at Thistle Needleworks  --  take them and enjoy them and recycle them, but do not return them!
 


       

NEW ENGLAND REGION
"Region Day"
Saturday, September 24, 2005

The Plymouth Church
87 Edgell Road, Framingham, MA
10 a.m. -- 3 p.m.

Topic:  Finishing
You've asked for it, so here it is!  Three terrific teachers, Rachel Atkinson, Denise Pratt and Diana Snyder, will share their knowledge of the many facets of finishing.  Each presenter will discuss different parts of the process.  You will learn how to prepare a finished piece of needlework for the framer, how to frame a piece simply on your own, how to make bags and boxes, and how to make fancy borders and hems for flat pieces.  The teachers will demonstrate suggestions and show lots of examples of pieces they have created.  Take lots of notes and head home with many new ideas to complete your unfinished needlework.

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

Because the Region Seminar in Newport was a financial success, the Board would like to see that members of the Region receive some "payback" for that success.  NER will pay for the costs of the three teachers who will be presenting the program on September 24th.  Therefore, the cost for this program is $21, with the option to buy lunch for $10. Please register by filling out the form below.  Participants should bring the usual note-taking supplies.  The deadline for registration is September 17.


Name_______________________Chapter__________________

Address______________________________________________

Telephone______________________Email_________________

            Please make check for $21 or $31 payable to NER-EGA
            Send to: Lisa Green, 14 North Drive, Simsbury, CT 06070-1214

 


We are working with another chapter to bring a major teacher here in June 2006.  Stay tuned for more details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  In the meantime, hold the weekend of June 3rd and 4th for an exciting class.
 


CRVC-EGA Program
 
Saturday,

 October 15, 2005
 
Amt. Pd.______________

Check #______________

Date Pd. __________
    (keep as your receipt)

Deadline: Sept. 10th

 

CRVC Program Registration Form -- October Meeting

Mail completed form to: Linda Berry, 203 Tunxis Rd, West Hartford, CT 06107-3201. Make check payable to CRVC-EGA. The deadline for ordering each of these kits is September 10th.

______________ Kit fee of $52 for Lynn's class is enclosed.

______________ Kit fee of $40.75 for Tanya's kit is enclosed.

Name:     ________________________________________________
 
Phone:    __________________ Email:________________________

Total Enclosed $_________________ 

 
 

CRVC-EGA Membership

$37. Primary Membership
$15. Plural Membership (NER)
$18. Plural Membership (not NER)

For a membership card, please enclose a SASE.

Amt. Pd. ____________

Check #  ____________

Date Pd. ____________

 

CRVC-EGA Membership and Address Change Form

Mail your completed form to: Suzanne Newton, CRVC-EGA Membership, 14 Madison Lane, West Simsbury, CT 06092.  Make check payable to CRVC-EGA.  Enclose SASE for membership card.

      __ Address Change
      __ CRVC Primary Membership ($37)
      __ Plural Membership, Primary Chapter in New England Region ($15)
      __ Plural Membership, Primary Chapter not in New England Region ($18)

Name:            ____________________________________________________

Address:        ___________________________________________________

City, ST,ZIP  ____________________________________________________

Phone:           ______________________ Email:________________________

Primary Chapter:   _______________________________________________

Membership No.  ______________________   Total Enclosed $___________

Can you volunteer your time to CRVC:        __ yes          __ no
 

See you at the October 15th meeting!