News round-up 22nd February

Hi everyone,

It's been half-term week which, even though we're not at school, seems to make a much welcomed difference to daily life. All the normal congestion seems to have disappeared and life seems calmer.
Before I forget, here's Janet Molloy proudly holding her orange raffle bag from the February meeting raffle. Well done Janet and thanks go to Bev for a great bag. If you haven't yet volunteered to decorate a bag, see Janette at the March meting.

Young Stitchers

Thanks also to Liz Fossey and the team for holding the first of our Young Stitchers taster sessions. Children aged 5 - 13 had an enjoyable relaxed time learning how to sew. Some had never picked up a needle before. There was great feedback from parents with requests for further sessions.

Out and About

Bluecoat School in Harborne have a  treasure in their archives which has been a bit of a mystery. A beautiful piece of intarsia patchwork, created over a period of twenty years and dating from possibly 1830, normally lives rolled up and hidden from view but it is currently on display in the school's art department. It's a mystery because they have no idea how the hanging came to be left with them and the original maker remains anonymous.  

The hanging is stunning and the workmanship is of very high quality.  Earlier this week the school were kind enough to let us have a glimpse and provided us with details of research made into its history.

 Made from woollen cloth, as used in military uniforms, each panel contains  embroidery to add fine detail and texture. It is thought that the maker was a tailor who might have used the individual panels in his shop window to advertise his business.

Here's hoping the school find some answers to their textile mystery.

Bye for now!