Final Blackwork Taster Session

This Friday, the 24th of Feb., is the final blackwork taster session in my series at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead. The links tell you all about the session and the venue.

I would also like to hear from local people (Gateshead and surroundings) with an interest in blackwork, whether or not you are already experienced. There is a possibility of starting up a blackwork stitching group at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in the future if any interest is shown. The cost will probably be £1 a person for use of the venue plus donations for any tea and coffee that is consumed. Each person would provide their own stitching materials. I see it as an opportunity for people of all levels of experience to help each other out as well as have a good natter. If this appeals to any of you, let me know. Things I particularly need to know are:

• what day of the week suits you best (providing a time slot is available at the venue)
• best time of day (providing a time slot is available at the venue)
• maximum length of stay
• how often you would like to meet
• how soon you would like to start
• would you be interested in working on a group project for display at St. Mary's Heritage Centre  (not mandatory)

I haven't got a specific project in mind at the moment but I have seen the exhibition work done by another group who meets there regularly. I have yet to consult with the staff about this idea but I would approach them if any of you are particularly keen to try it out. I'm thinking it just might add some extra interest to the meetings, especially as skills grow.

Please contact me at the e-mail address in my profile (it's more likely to be picked up by spammers if I include it here) if this is something that appeals to you.

Blackwork Demonstration

This afternoon's blackwork session at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead is open to all comers. There is no charge for the blackwork demonstration but a small charge will apply for those who wish to try out my supplied project. Hope to see you there!

Blackwork Taster Session

Just a reminder that I am preparing to repeat the January taster session in blackwork this coming Friday, 10th Feb., from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. if anyone is interested. The venue is St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead, a lovely well lit place to stitch. Hope to see you there!

New Blackwork Taster Sessions Coming Soon

Originally, I'd planned a longer workshop on a larger project for every Friday afternoon in February. Unfortunately, not enough interest was generated in order to meet the minimum numbers. So, I've decided to repeat the taster session I held in January in their place.

I will repeat this workshop throughout February, at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead, as follows :

• Fri. 3 Feb - 13:00 - 16:00
• Fri. 10 Feb - 13:00 - 16:00
• Fri. 17 Feb - 13:00 - 16:00
• Fri. 24 Feb - 13:00 - 16:00

Each session costs £6 with all materials provided. The project is a bookmark. Anyone who has purchased the bookmark in a previous session (January's session included) is welcome to join the repeated workshop for just £1 a session to cover the cost of using the venue. Pre-booking is necessary so please contact me in advance. Hope to see you there!

Blackwork Tip: planning the running stitch paths

Last Friday's blackwork taster session at St. Mary's Heritage Centre has had me thinking some more about how to better explain the tackling of running stitch paths which make up typical blackwork designs. I came across this Blackwork Embroidery Archives site which has the clearest explanation that I have encountered.

For those of you who who participated in my session, the above instructions relate as follows:

• The first 'pass' you made on your outline equates to the First Journey in the Basic Running Stitch section.
• You then filled in the blanks between these stitches as described in the Return Journey section.
• The main vein equated to the Main Journey section described under Working Complex Journeys.
• The side veins equated to Working A Side-Trip.
• The infill patterns required you to plan as for Working Complex Journeys, the idea being to keep the reverse side mirroring the front as much as possible.

Hope this helps you while you finish the project at home!

After the stitching...

Many thanks to today's participants at my blackwork basics workshop. I enjoyed the afternoon and hope I've managed to gain some more blackwork enthusiasts now. Hope to see you again!

Today's Blackwork Workshop

All systems are go for the blackwork workshop this afternoon at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead. There are still a few places available if anyone has a last minute urge to try out the bookmark on which we will be working. Click here for details.

Blackwork Workshops

It has been a while since I last wrote but things have been happening behind the scenes. The first event I have planned for the New Year is a blackwork taster session from 1-4 p.m., 13 Jan. 2012, at St. Mary's Heritage Centre. Full details, including cost & directions to the venue, are on their website. Alternatively, you can e-mail me direct to book onto the workshop.

I am following on from this with a longer blackwork workshop delivered over 4 afternoons in February, again at St. Mary's Heritage Centre. Further details can be found here on the Gateshead Council website. Again, you are welcome to contact me direct for further details.

St. Mary's Heritage Centre is a bright and airy venue, well suited to stitching. It is located next to the Sage Gateshead on the bank of the River Tyne so it is easily accessed by bus. There is also limited parking on site. This fills up quickly but there are several other Pay & Display car parks nearby, the one on Church Street being the closest.

Blackwork is a stitching form that has really grown on me. I hope you will think the same after the sessions. Hope to see you there!

Craft Heritage Open Day

I am going to be situated at St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead on 10 Sept., 2011 for the Craft Heritage Open Day. Bring along your own cross stitch or blackwork kit for some free guidance to get you started. I will also have some blackwork bookmarks for sale for those who wish to try blackwork basics before committing to a larger project. It looks as though there should be plenty of different types of crafts on hand so hopefully it will draw a large crowd. Hope to see you there!