"This and That - A Study in Stitches and Techniques"
                           - Lynn Payette - A Foley/Cornelius Teacher

'This and That' is a study in stitches (surface) and techniques (suitable for surface or counted work).  These stitches and techniques will be tools for the student to use in their own embroideries.  The student will work samples of each stitch and technique on their own fabric, and these may be cut apart and placed in a notebook (not provided) if desired, or kept as a whole for future reference.

Stitches covered will include fly stitch and variations, split and satin stitch, long and short stitch, squared filling, outline stitch, couching working with different types of metallic threads; working with Wonder Under (a fusible web), using sheer and metallic fabrics, and overlaying of sheers, padding with felt for different effects; as well as a 'questions and answer' period during the last hour of the class.

The stitches will be dissected and demonstrated for greater understanding of their make-up and the best methods for stitching them.  The techniques will be demonstrated and the student will be given time for experimentation.

Student will receive an instruction booklet with stitch and technique diagrams as well as written instructions.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

1.  Two pieces of fabric (to both stitch on and apply fabric to) - the fabric should be firm and white, cream or a light color; (may use Congress cloth or heavy weight muslin type fabric) and should be cut large enough for easy mounting in either a hoop (8" embroidery hoop) or on 8" or 10" stretcher bars (also bring tacks to mount the fabric).
2.  A variety of embroidery flosses (three shades of one color for the long and short plus several others), pearl cottons #8 and #5 in different colors.
3.  A variety of sharp and blunt needles
4.  Invisible thread
5.  Beeswax
6.  Small sharp scissors and paper scissors (sharp, but not too large)
7.  Glue stick (not the blue or purple type)
8.  A pencil
9.  Extra lighting and magnification, if desired

ALSO:  Please bring a few of the projects you are working on or have recently finished.  Ask questions about problems you are having or request needed advice with difficult areas.

KIT CONTENTS:

Several lengths of metallic threads, Wonder Under, Felt, sheer fabrics, complete instructions and diagrams

LOCATION AND TIME:  9:30 to 3:30 at Duncaster Senior Residence in Bloomfield, CT

Here are directions to Duncaster:  (Official address is 40 Loeffler Road, Bloomfield, CT)
From Rt. 84 Westbound [from Manchester]:
Take Rt. 291, exit 61.  Follow Rt. 291 to Rt. 218 exit.  Take left onto Rt. 218.  Follow for about 3 miles.  Take right onto Rt. 189 and follow to the center of Bloomfield.  Take a left on Rt. 178.  Continue straight on Rt. 178 for 1.4 miles.  To use the new front entrance, turn right onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

From Rt. 84 Eastbound [from Farmington]:
Take exit 41.  Go left on South Main Street [which becomes North Main Street at West Hartford Center] for 4.6 miles to Rt. 185.  Turn left on Rt. 185 for 1.8 miles.  Turn right on Rt. 178.  To use the new front entrance, after about ½ mile turn left onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

From Rt. 91 [North or South]:
Take exit 36.  Go west on Rt. 178 for 4.5 miles to the center of Bloomfield.  At the traffic light continue straight on Rt. 178 for 1.4 miles.  To use new front entrance, turn right onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

Schedule for Saturday:
        10 AM to 12:15 PM          Class
        12:15 PM to 1 PM             Lunch, brief meeting, and Show and Tell
        1 PM to 3:30 PM               Class

The deadline for signing up for this class is January 27^th.  A coupon for registration is provided.
 

Saturday, April 21^st, 2012

          Trip to Salmon Brook Historical Society in Granby

The program that the historical society has arranged for us will include the following:

     A viewing of two silk embroideries made by sisters Hilpah and Melissa Hays in 1803 while they attended the Litchfield Female Academy.  Not usually on display, they will be taken out of storage so our members can view them.

     A bed-turning of quilts held in the historic Abijah Rowe House, circa 1732.  Embroidered redwork, crazy quilts, and others will be included, along with examples of fine quilting.

     A viewing of samplers in the Rowe House and an exhibit of various pieces of handwork set up especially for the Connecticut River Valley Embroiderers Guild.  They understand that our interests cover most forms of needlework including fine crochet and knitting.

     A display of vintage ladies gowns, including a lace wedding gown from the late 1930s.

The morning program will last two hours, and the fee is $15/person.

The deadline for signing up for this class is April 10^th.  A coupon for registration is provided.
 

Friday & Saturday, June 15^th and 16^th and Saturday, December 8^th, 2012

          "Tree of Life" - Lynn Payette
                                     A Foley/Cornelius Teacher
 

Friday & Saturday, October 12^th and 13^th, 2012

          "Ancestree" - Carolyn Standing Webb
                                  A Foley/Cornelius Teacher

Embroidery Technique: Blackwork

Class length:  2 days

Skill level:  All

Project size:  11 inches by 7 inches

Kit cost:  $55.00

Kit contents:  Linen, silk threads, gold thread, basing thread, needles, directions

Student supplies:  colored pencils, usual stitching supplies, light and magnification , stretcher bars and tacks

Pre-work:  6 to 8 hours

Class Description:
This tree of life design will be a very personal family tree for you.  You will get a chart where names that you supply become part of the design.  You can add your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and back for 5 generations or you can make one with just your immediate family.  The tree is stitched on 32 count antique white linen with black silk threads.  Three sizes of black thread is used to shade the design.  Gold thread is added for a special sparkle.  Shading is achieved by using both pattern and thread.  You will learn how to create the paths for double running and why some blackwork patterns are not reversible.

Goals:
To learn how to chart your own paths for double running and how to create shading using thread size and stitch density.