February meeting - Jacqueline James

Our speaker this month was Jacqueline James, rug weaver extraordinaire!

Jacqueline at work (image taken from her website)

Unfortunately, she wasn't able to transport her loom to the meeting, but she did bring many examples of her vibrantly coloured rugs - and a couple of monochrome ones too!

Jacqueline was born in the UK but grew up in the USA. She returned to the UK in 1982 and studied Constructed Textile Design at Harrogate College from 1985 to 1988. Very early on in the course she realised rug weaving was the thing she wanted to do, and started to specialise.

She was inspired by the work of Peter Collingwood and uses the 'shaft switching' techniques he invented to create reversible woven rugs. Jacqueline draws inspiration from many sources including nature, architecture and ethnic textiles.  Her love of colour was enhanced during a trip to India .

Wool rug

Initially she worked in wool, but then moved on to using a cotton weft and became proficient at dyeing the yarn to her or her clients' requirements, creating spectacular weft ikat designs.

woven ikat cotton rug

Jacqueline works to commission and has work in many churches, including an altar frontal in York Minster and Clifton Parish Church, York. She has also participated in York Open studios on several occasions, and worked as an artist with local schools.

She is very modest about her achievements, but she can't hide her enthusiasm and very obvious talent for creating the most wonderful rugs. It was a pleasure to see her talk and her rugs.

In other news . . 

Embroiderers' Guild AGM - Manchester 7th May 2016. In place of our normal meeting, the branch is hiring a coach to take us to the AGM. Sue Giles is arranging the coach, which will leave the Folk Hall at 7:30am. Cost will be about £15 depending on numbers.
Entry to the AGM is free, but you need to register your planned attendance. If you wish to attend the whole day where the speakers are Susie Vickery and Sian Martin, there is a cost to the day, which depends on whether you are wanting lunch or not. Full details and booking form are in Contact Magazine issue 41.

If you haven't got your issue, it is also available online from the Embroiderers' Guild website here.

You need to log on, to get to the information about Contact magazine and the AGM, by clicking on the (circled) Members' Room button. If you don't receive a printed Contact magazine, but are a member, check your account detail preferences. There is a drop down menu for choosing to receive a printed copy or an e-book.

Capability Brown festival.
Set up at Scampston Hall will be on 29th April
Contributions to the group project must be returned (completed!) to the April meeting to give time for the whole thing to be assembled.
Exhibition forms for exhibiting individual work are now available and must also be returned at the April meeting.