New Outreach - 17th century coifs for Agecroft HallEach

Gentle Pursuits will be starting a new outreach project in January 2010. Agecroft Hall would like some authentic embroidered coifs for their interpreters, so, inspired by the Plimoth Jacket Project, we are going to make two coifs. Our first coif will use a pattern created by Laura Mellin, which can be purchased through Reconstructing History. For the second coif we will try to reproduce this coif in the Agecroft Hall collection.

We will start in January by learning how to do the stitches needed for the Elizabethan style embroidery - reverse chain and detached buttonhole. Each member will stitch a small motif that can be made into a scissor fob or sachet.

As people become comfortable with the stitch they will have a chance to stitch on the coif. Really enthusiastic members who are comfortable with the stitches will have a chance to take the coif home to stitch between meetings.

Participating in our outreach project is just one benefit of being a Gentle Pursuits member. Hope to see you in January. (There is no regular December meeting - we are having our Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 5).

Free September program for Gentle Pursuits Members.

Our September program is a free program for current members of our chapter. Catherine Jordan, our new group President, will be teaching a class in fabric painting.

Introduction to Fabric Painted Landscapes

Member Appreciation Class

Explore the possibilities of adding color to your work with a small painted landscape! In this class we will cover how to work with textile paints to make a beautiful landscape.

These are some examples of Catherine's painted fabric pieces.

Please contact Laurie Jones or Kathy G by September 1 if you would like to attend.

President's Challenge photos from June

The President's Challenge for our group this past year was to alter a tin for another member. We had from September to June to figure out what to stitch and what to put inside the tin. Here are some of the final tins. Every one was a little work of art and the whole group had a great time examining all the details and the tin contents. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful work!

Come to Short Pump Barnes & Noble on Feb. 7

February National Embroidery Month and EGA is celebrating by encouraging all members to have a Stitch-In-Public day on Saturday, February 7th.  Gentle Pursuits members will be stitching at the Short Pump Barnes & Noble from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Please come and join us for some chat and stitch time!