October Workshop

Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for the 13 of us who gathered for the workshop led by Ali Ferguson on Sunday 13th June. We arrived to work areas set up with plastic to protect the tables and brushes, sandpaper and bradawls with a potential wreath of wood blocks already glued. At the far end of the hall were 4 drills set in their stands, which Ali assured us, we would all be using confidently by the end of the morning. She had brought plenty of materials to enable people to make a Christmas themed wreath or one featuring vintage textiles. Both Anne’s went off-piste, one with a seaside harbour theme and the other based on the Tweed 1000 wall hanging. We painted, sanded and designed and then it was time to drill. Ali was proved right, by the time she persuaded us we needed to stop to eat lunch. we were queuing for our turn at the drills. At every stage, Ali demonstrated ideas, choices and how to bring them about. We learned the usefulness of book-binding linen thread (strength) and bookbinders’ needles (length to pass through the wooden blocks). Some of us completed our projects. Others seemed to have quite a lot left to do, but with all the pattern holes drilled, Ali reassured us that a couple of evenings would give everyone time to complete their designs.  Thank you to Ali Ferguson (and her husband for cutting all the blocks) for a most enjoyable day learning and achieving something new for us. 

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Photos and text kindly supplied by Anne  Wadey