June Meeting - Gillian Travis

This month’s meeting was incredibly busy. It began with members bringing their work for display in the exhibition at the end of the month. Lots of work was delivered and it promises to be a great exhibition. The exhibition will be officially opened at 11:00am on Friday 19th by the Lady Mayoress.

Click on the '2015 Exhibition' tab above for more details

The meeting proper then began with a talk from Terry Murphy, CEO of the Embroiderers’ Guild. He detailed the proposed changes to the constitution of the Guild and reminded members they were all eligible to vote at the EGM, by proxy if required. Proxy votes have to be with the Guild no later than 17^th June.

He then went on to talk about some of the ways the Guild was planning to develop in the future to become a more outward facing organisation in line with its charitable objectives. This includes exciting new projects to celebrate the work of Capability Brown and developing new partnerships with organisations such as the National Trust. He reflected on the success of the Big Stitch event at the Ashmolean and mentioned the world’s longest embroidery which is currently in the British Library.

The world's longest embroidery in the British Library in London

…And then we had our advertised speaker Gillian Travis.

We were treated to an illustrated display of her work and her travels which included quite small expeditions – cycling from St Malo to Spain or from Munich to Hull, and then more far flung journeys to Lithuania, Sweden, Austria, Spain (again) Majorca, Amsterdam, Lyon, Lanzarote, Morocco, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Israel . . .

Each of these journeys gave inspiration for her quilt works, which include painted and printed fabrics, applique, machine stitch, felt making, foundation piecing. Her output is prolific – she admits she works very quickly and has many ideas for new pieces.

Gillian Travis - Counterchange Pears (detail)

She then went on to talk about her visits to India (funded in part by a Quilter’s Guild bursary) and Sri Lanka and how this led to her working with local people to create Flower Kits for sale in the UK using her techniques and ethically sourced materials, and also her work with the Stitching Project in Pushkar to create Kantha style scarves from old and unwanted silk saris.  

Gillian Travis - At the Market in Amman (detail)

There's also a new book out soon! Quite a whirlwind of a talk - involving much more detail than I've put here and Gillian brought many of her quilts with her so we could have a close look at the many techniques she has mastered and uses sympathetically in her work.

Other Things...Exhibition Related

If York branch members still have work to deliver for the exhibition, it can be delivered to one of the following collection points:

Wetherby and the surrounding areas to Kath

West of York, Rufforth and Acomb areas to Diane

East of York to Sue

Central and North of York to Judith.

Please deliver the work by Wednesday 17^th at the latest – contact information can be found on the printed branch programme. 

Raffle prizes would be welcome on set up day.

There was also a request for more volunteers to steward on the Saturday. Please contact Dulcie if you are able to help.

If branch members are able to help with set up, just turn up at the Guildhall at 9.00am on Thursday 18th. You will be most welcome!

More Other Things..

The Competition next month is The Chairman's Award and this year the theme is 'A Piece of Jewellery'

Bookings for workshops with Isobel Hall and Hannah Lamb can be made next month (see the printed programme for more details).

In September Roberta will be starting informal stitch workshops at the morning session.

New committee members are being sought for the new branch year in October. Please consider offering your services if you can.