Tuesday, October 27, 2020

2020 Retreat Fun

 We had a super fun time at the Stitching Crazy Retreat this year! The group was a bit smaller (as expected considering COVID-19) with nine ladies...but we certainly had a great time just the same. 


Social distancing was observed as we worked and ate...and slept. We wore masks when we needed to be closer to each other like walking down the hall.


Here are the three main sewing activities we worked on:


This is not finished yet...but well on it's way. It "generally" follows the embellishing ideas in DiVan Niekerk's book: Embroidered Alphabets with Ribbon Embroidery. We each began with a printed color fabric initial and could fill in the letter with Stem Stitch; them embellish as we wished. Just as with her book sample, I found the bottom right area to be lacking in embellishments. So, this will hang on the design wall a bit while I decide where to put more of the 5-petal flowers and Fargo Roses. Her original design used berries and Fly Stitch Roses.



This was a "filler" project that everyone could work on if they simply got tired of working on the assigned tasks. We began this the first night...then, when the other tasks came up...no one went back to this one. Ha! Oh well...it's good to have a long-term project...so keep stitching ladies; get these finished!

The next project was a beaded monogram. The fiber embroidery sets the stage...providing a padded layer for the beads and sequins. Everyone loved working on this project...but there are a lot of beads to put down. Here is the teaching example:



While I so like the purity of the white on white example. Carlie's blue version is certainly striking!


I just might have to stitch some of these in different colors just for the fun of it!

Our last class was given by Kathy Billings. (After we say her work with felt in a round robin, we all had to know how she did that!). While we did adjust her techniques to fit the diverse skill levels and the time we had...we all came home with a greater appreciation of her original technique...AND a desire to give this more effort in the future.



Of course, I just HAD to add beads to mine...such a natural thing for me to do.


We had a blast! Missed all of the ladies that did not get to make it...hope to see each of you next year!

2 comments:

Carlie said...

It was great and I can't wait for the net one. The Red Rooster Retreat was awesome and the food was outstanding! Thanks for the great classes, I learned a lot and enjoyed getting to know the other ladies that went!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

So jealous! This looks like it must have been such fun and the projects are wonderful. I can't pick a favourite - they're all techniques I would love to try.