Saturday 11 May 2013

Threads, threads, threads!

In April we had a visit by the Empress Mills team, Christine (pictured in her amazing glassses with built-in reading light!), William and Charles.  They brought an incredible amount of stock with them, and it was eye candy heaven for everyone who was there! 

 
Apart from an extensive array of threads, they had fabrics, haberdashery and all kinds of Vilenes, including one with squares printed on it -which one member had just ordered from America! - and some which laminates fabrics and is ideal for wash bags or anything which would benefit from extra durability. 
 
 
Here is William proving not only that men can iron, but also demonstrating a special Vilene which turns quilted fabric into a version of the fabric found in ruched swimsuits of the 1950s.  Ideal for those who want that kind of effect!

 
Christine's talk was called 'The Evolution of Thread', but turned out to be the fascinating history of Empress Mills, and then an opportunity to learn about (and handle) all the different threads they carry, cotton, silk, linen, poly, slubbed, metallic, thick, fine and fancy.  It was a super evening, which culminated in an opportunity to buy - although there was absolutely no pressure to do so.

 
June's raffle prizes had a sunshine and showers theme, with a rainbow of fabrics, held together with shimmery 'raindrop' ribbon, and decorated by cocktail parasols!  Wonderful!

 
And here are the book wraps waiting for Sarah to collect them.  For a group with over 60 members, I have to say that's not a very impressive number of wraps.  If you feel like making more to raise money for the Quilter's Guild, I know Sarah will be delighted to receive them.

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