A new year, a new beginning

It's been a while since we've posted on this blog. However we've not been idle for the past 12 months or so. The Headquarters building at Queen Street Concord West has undergone a complete transformation thanks to the foresight of past and present Committees and the tireless fundraising efforts of all the Members and their wonderful supporters. Our "ugly duckling" building is now a beautiful swan, with 3 levels and a much needed lift now available for all. We can't wait to use the bright and airy spaces to stitch and create textile art now, and hope to schedule some workshops as well for our Juniors in the near future. On Sunday 1st April, Easter Sunday, the Junior Stitchers Group will be hosting a day of short textile workshops and an information stand at the Guilds demonstration area of the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park. The Arts and Craft Pavilion, beside the Dome, is the location, please do come and visit us and join in. Each free workshop will have a limited number of seats available so it's best to call in to our stand to book a seat for your preferred time when you arrive to avoid disappointment. Please note that for the Royal Easter Show workshops bookings CANNOT be made at the Guild as usual.

The project is to be confirmed, but is sure to inspire and delight both young and old alike and will suit all levels of experience. Guild tutors will be available to guide the participants through the project and you will take home your work at the end of the workshops.

Stitching the Generations Together on Grandparents Day 2016

The Junior Stitchers Group applied for and received a grant to hold a Grandparent's Day event from NSW Government Family and Community Services in October 2016. Our free Grandparents Day workshop called "Stitching the Generations Together" was held at the Masonic Hall Concord West on October 29th. Although not a large number of students and their grandparents could attend the tutors enjoyed helping those who came to make an embroidered and embellished "bag tag". The day started with a delicious morning tea then the participants selected pre-cut coloured felt shapes, threads and embellishments from the bright display and set about learning some simple stitches before adding beads and sequins to the front of the tag. Once a braid loop was pinned between the back and front sections they were stitched together securely. Everyone took home enough pieces to make another article as well as the stitching book which was included in the day. Thankyou to Family and Community Services for awarding our Group this Grant, we will apply again next year and hopefully have an even more successful workshop with more students introduced to stitching with Junior Stitchers.

Craft and Quilt Fair Sydney 2016

The Embroiderers Guild Feature Display theme was "Carnaby Street" so with the swinging sixties in mind we asked our Junior Stitchers members to make a brightly coloured initial or word using colours in a suggested palette. The work was mounted on a firm backing board and sent in for display, and look at the result ! Amazing, colourful, vibrant corner of the display which attracted lots of wonderful praise for the young people and their stitching. Congratulations to everyone who sent in work, you are amazing and we really appreciate your effort.

Royal Easter Show 2016

The Embroiderers Guild has a Feature Display at the Show this year in Sydney and this Saturday 26th March from 10am till 5pm the Junior Stitchers team will be helping on the stand. We will be demonstating our Dottee Bunny project and giving away the instructions on how to make her. If you'd like to visit us and receive the instructions, please do visit us at hall 5 / 6 and look for us ? Hope to see you there !

Join in the fun at Junior Stitchers Group

Do you know a young person who likes to create with fabric, needle and threads ? The Junior Stitchers Group of the Embroiderers Guild NSW runs regular face to face classes as well as regular workshops at various locations including Headquarters and at displays wherever possible. We would love you to join us ! Please contact us at the Guild on 9743 2501 or visit us online at www.embroiderersguildnsw.org.au to learn more.

Report on Craft and Quilt Fair 2015

Wow, what a fantastic response to our Make and Take Workshops held at the Craft and Quilt Fair. 87 students made Celebration Cupcakes over the 5 days of the Fair. The volunteer tutors were very busy, and only had time to take a few photographs to share on the last day. These smiling students really enjoyed their workshop and were pleased to pose for us and give permission for their photos to be shown here. What a great result, with the profits of the workshops all going towards our Building Fund. This is to help expand and improve our building in Concord West to be a Centre of Excellence for Embroidery, and should be open in late 2017.

SYDNEY CRAFT AND QUILT FAIR 2015

Hope you can join us for a fantastic Make and Take workshop at the Craft and Quilt Fair, open to adults and kids so bring your Mum or Dad, or Nan or Pop and have some fun !