A group of 13 guild members enjoyed a fun day learning how to pound and  trap flowers.  Linda started the  day by demonstrating the procedure and explaining that some flowers and leaves were more successful than others. 

We soon learnt how important it was to have moisture-free flowers and leaves and to make the flower as flat as possible by cutting the back off and any stamens in the centre.

We experimented on a small piece of cotton by tapping the chosen petal  or leaf from the reverse with a small hammer and then progressed to creating a display sampler.  Linda encouraged us to write the name of the plant for future reference.

In the afternoon we progressed to trapping flowers.   This is done by trapping the flowers and leaves in a layered web  sandwich.  Cotton or card can be used as a base and piece of synthetic chiffon tops the work.   The sandwich was then ironed to heat the webbing.   This procedure seals the flowers in place and therefore the colours do  not fade.  
 
Below are photos showing our work.  Thank you again to Linda for a most enjoyable and informative day.

Ros

For our September meeting, Linda Rudkin talked to the group about “colours from nature”.  After she retired as an English teacher Linda visited the Bayeux Tapestry and was amazed  by the soft rich vibrant colours bearing in mind the age of the embroidery.  She soon realised at  that time they only had plants to use for dyes so she started researching the  topic and created a number of display boards. She produced a board for each plant  showing the dyeing samples for wools, cottons & silks.   In addition to varying the materials and threads, she used different mordents (fixing agents).  Having produced 62 different display boards, publishers A & C Black commissioned her to write a book.  The natural  dyes included white & red onion, carrot tops, blackberries, coreopsis,  comfrey  and wode which she grows  from seed. She only dyes what she  can get in a saucepan and has found that the colours mellow with age. Fresh, frozen or dried plants can be used so she can work when convenient.

Linda explained the dyeing procedure and ended her talk by showing us various pictures  some of which had been quilted and embroidered, and cushion covers which she had made.

We did enjoy your talk, Linda and a group of us look forward to attending your workshop on Tuesday to learn how to pound and trap flowers.

Our next meeting will be at 14:00 on Monday 7 October when we will be holding our AGM and Guild member Christine Seager’s talk will be entitled “It’s  not enough to make a blouse!” Doors open at 13:30.

Ros