3rd Wednesday of the month (September to June)
6:30 to 9 pm
Perry Terrace, 220 Perry Street, Whitby
See the location on Google Maps

trilliumguild.blogspot.com

Contact Trillium Embroidery Guild

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Report – March 2023

submitted by Marion Brumwell, ONN Rep

Our monthly evening meetings continue in 2023. The last ONN report was due before our Christmas celebration. Hence photos of the Christmas ornament exchange are included as part of this report.

As for the testing of tapestry needles, it was surprising to find that there was no needle manufacturer that significantly outranked all the others.

Designing and stitching a French purse was still our focus for our March meeting. We continue to figure out how to best finish the purse.

At the March and April meetings, we will have a chance to complete a survey regarding our program plans for the rest of 2023 and also to discuss whether we want stitch-ins during the summer. The annual spring retreat at Elim Lodge is coming up soon.

As usual, we have an array of photos from our Show and Tell. These include an Alison Cole goldwork reindeer and a Scarlett House Sampler stitched by two members. Suzanne’s granddaughter drew a design for her to stitch and Suzanne is making a really neat pillow.

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Report – December 2022

submitted by Marion Brumwell, ONN Rep

We continue to meet monthly at our Whitby location.
Again this year, the guild has a display of Christmas stitchery at the Ajax Public Library for the month of December.

We have an assignment to complete for the December meeting; we have several tapestry needles to test and rate in different categories. We will find out in January the manufacturer of these needles. Will we find that the needles we think we prefer are not the ones we usually choose?

In the new year we will begin to design a French purse using any embroidery technique and any dimensions. There will be opportunities to work on these at two stitch days, one in January and one in February. Two photos of French purses are included with our report, one stitched by Bernie and the Schwalm one designed and stitched by Barbara Kershaw.

Report – September 2022

Submitted by Marion Brumwell, ONN Rep

Members were excited to return to in-person meetings at the same location as before the pandemic. Our
display set out on the guild banner shows that there is lots of enthusiasm for many embroidery
techniques.

We enjoyed seeing the first project of the guild, impressive goldwork designed by Cindy
Jackson and stitched by Barbara, an original stitching and watercolour piece by Suzanne, some smalls
from the June smalls exchange and some cross stitch embroideries.

We started planning for the June stitching challenges and for guild projects for the coming months. For the evening program Geri provided detailed notes, some samples and a demonstration on how to finish a triangular scissor case.
Near the end of September there is a retreat at Elim Lodge. In October Kim from Kimat Designs will
talk about fabrics available for embroidery. We are off to a great start for 2022-2023!

Report – July 2022

submitted by Marion Brumwell, ONN Rep

In preparation for the April Zoom meeting, a dozen guild members stitched the Louisa Acton sampler
chart using the colour scheme they chose and sometimes making other changes to the stitched
reproduction of the original. Lianne van Leyen, designer and collector of antique samplers, visited with
us at the meeting to view a slide show of our work and to discuss what we had done with the sampler
she owns and charted. She showed us the original and presented her choice of linen and threads for her
working of Louisa Acton.

It seems it is debatable whether or not the modern stitcher should correct the errors made by the schoolgirl who embroidered the sampler centuries ago. Some of us follow Lianne’s Facebook page (1897 Schoolhouse Samplers) to see what antique embroideries she is acquiring and to enjoy posts on her activities as an interpreter at Upper Canada Village.
At the May meeting Marilyn presented two possible itineraries to follow for stitching-related shopping
expeditions, one in Ontario and one in the U. S.
In September we will resume in-person meetings at our former location. Since we now require liability
insurance to use the room, we voted unanimously to become a chapter of the Embroidery Association
of Canada. We will benefit not only from the insurance but also will have access to courses, the
magazine, seminar and other resources.
Our plan for September is a demonstration on completing the scissor case shown in the two photos
included with our report. The embroidery itself is a free pattern using Rhodes stitch found on the Caron
website. We can also anticipate seeing the many completed embroideries of our members displayed on
a table instead of on a laptop screen!

Report – March 2022

Submitted by Marion Brumwell, ONN rep

Since January we have stitched a Wessex Embroidery needlecase using a free pattern from the Embroidery Guild of America website, design by Kathi Green. We discovered that this counted thread technique consists of repeating patterns with each pattern created from 2 or more stitches. Our photos show the personal colour scheme of the stitcher and the interior finishing.

In preparation for a smalls (needlecase, scissor case, scissor fob, pincushion) exchange in June, we featured a “Smalls Extravaganza” at the March meeting. We had a show of patterns available from Kimat Designs and stitched pieces from members.

In April we will discuss with Lianne van Leyen of 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers our individual interpretations of a historical sampler pattern charted by Lianne.

In the regular Show and Share segment at each meeting we saw many projects either completed or in progress. The example shown below was stitched by Marilyn, “A Thankful Chairarm Pinkeep” by Heartstring Samplery.

For many more photos, please go to our website, trilliumguild.blogspot.com. In June we have tentative plans to get together in an outdoor setting to connect and meet our new members in-person.

Report – December 2021

Submitted by Marion Brumwell – ONN Rep

The Trillium Embroidery Guild continues to have new members join our monthly Zoom meetings. For the month of November we displayed Christmas embroideries in the Ajax library showcase. We are all organized for the Christmas ornament exchange with 15 members making secret deliveries across the region. At the December meeting we open our gifts and find out who stitched them…a lot of fun for all.

We have more than a dozen participants for each of 2 projects that we have proposed for the coming months. Each stitcher is choosing their colour scheme for the sampler and for the needlebook. At the October meeting we had a session on practical ways to make colour choices for embroidery.

At every meeting now Kim from Kimat designs lets us know about new stitching items that are available in her shop and in a segment called “What’s New?” members let everyone know about stitching items/ideas they have come across. With the wealth of ideas shared and our guild plans for 2022, we have lots to look forward to in the New Year.

From our “Show and Tell” we have several photos to share with ONN…Marilyn’s wool applique “Lancaster County” designed by Karen Hahn, Sharon’s “Pray” by Teresa Kogut, Sylvia’s needle roll designed by Barbara Kershaw as well as her Alphabet Sampler by Kim Mather. We have 4 projects by Jeanette who finished projects in various techniques. And finally…a photo one of the anonymous Christmas ornaments for the exchange!

Report – September 2021

Submitted by Marion Brumwell – ONN Rep

At our first meeting of the year, we welcomed four new members as well as returning members to the Zoom get-together. We discussed a number of topics including the continuation of the Trillium Annual Theme Award, the Christmas ornament exchange and program ideas for the coming year. We then had a fun test of our knowledge of acronyms used by stitchers.
In October, we will focus on colour planning for embroidery and in November we have tentative plans for a speaker who will address designing for embroidery. At monthly meetings we will introduce two new regular agenda items. There will be an update on the latest embroidery patterns, linen etc. available from Kimat Designs and a segment entitled “What’s New” when members can let us know about something new they have discovered, such as floss tube videos, stitching materials, or books.
For much of the September meeting we had an enthusiastic showing of completed and ongoing projects shared by members. There was incredible variety and much appreciation shown for the work of others.
Our photos include samples of finished pieces: Hardanger by Sylvia, cross stitch by Marilyn, a beaded sampler designed and stitched by Kim and a framed Trish Burr partridge by Marion.
It looks like a very exciting year ahead of us.

Report – July 2021

Submitted by Marion Brumwell – ONN Rep

At our final Zoom meeting of the year in June, members of the Trillium Embroidery Guild elected a new executive for 2021-2022. We proposed some ideas for program for the fall. We also shared projects that each of us plans to stitch over the summer months. Now we anticipate a great “Show and Tell” in September when we hope to resume meetings in person at our regular location.

Report – March 2021

Submitted by Barb Angier, ONN Rep

SPRING 2021 Update

Our ZOOM meetings have been well attended……It’s been great to see the all the wonderful pieces our members have been working on. We’re so looking forward to getting together in person.
We continue to work on our Alphabet sampler designed by Kim M.  We just finished the alphabet stitches and are now thinking about how to finish them – Frame? Bell Pull?
All our members have been busy during the pandemic. Here is a sample of our work. Enjoy!!

Report – December 2020

Submitted by Barb Angier, ONN Rep

We have been continuing to meet monthly via ZOOM…… Really it’s more of a show and share and a chance to connect with each other during this challenging times.

For those who are participating, we also meet once a month to work on our Alphabet sampler designed by Kim M.  We now up to the letter N!  At this rate we’ll finish by the end of June.  I’ve enclosed a copy of the finished inspiration piece as well as a few progress- to date-photos.

Stay safe everyone…. And have a wonderful holiday season.

Report – July 2020

Submitted by Barb Angier, ONN Rep            25 July 2020

Our last guild meeting was in February.  Since then there have been a few email exchanges to keep in touch.  Everyone is doing well – thankfully – and getting lots of stitching done.

As reported in our last newsletter we had just embarked on a beautiful Alphabet sampler designed by Kim M.  It features a different stitch for each letter of the alphabet.  We had just kicked off the program before everything changed.

After surveying our members, we have decided that we will resume our monthly guild meetings in September using ZOOM.  The meetings will follow a different format – no business meeting really to speak of – mostly sit and stitch and show and share.   I’m expecting a lot of finishes in September!!   We’re all looking forward to getting together again.

Those members who are participating in the Alphabet sampler program will meet at a different time and new stitches will be taught – again using the Zoom platform.  It’s a beautiful sampler and we had always intended it to be a longer-term project.

We hope everybody’s taking care and staying safe.  We’re lucky to have our stitching to keep us busy and calm our minds.

Report – March 2020

Submitted by Barb Angier, ONN Rep            25 March 2020

We got off to a bit of a slow start this year. Our September/19 meeting was a great opportunity to get together and catch up on our stitching activities over the summer

At our October meeting, Geri I. led a workshop on cording to embellish our finished projects. It was very well received and was put to good use to finishing our Christmas ornaments. In November, Marion B. led a workshop on making a couronne – a knotted ring that can be used for embellishing.
December was our annual Christmas ornament exchange and potluck supper.

At our December meeting we also agreed on our program for the rest of the year – and now probably into next year. Kim M designed a beautiful Alphabet sampler that features a different stitch for each letter of the sampler. We kicked off the program with a stitch day In January with the intention of covering 2-3 new stitches at each meeting. Guild members have offered to help to lead the stitch workshops.

Show and share has been truly inspiring. Here are some examples of the extraordinary stitching our group has been working on.

We hope everybody’s taking care in this difficult time. It’s a good chance to get on with unfinished projects and be inspired to take up some new ones.

Report – August 2019

Submitted by Barb Angier, ONN Rep

www.trilliumguild.blogspot.com

We had a really great year this year. In addition to the program and special guest presentations described below – we held two stitch days and two weekend getaway retreats. All were well attended. We also welcomed a number of new members to our guild.

Our annual challenge award – the TATAs (Trillium Annual Theme Awards) this year was smalls. To kick things off, at our September meeting we culled our guild library and displayed an array of smalls patterns. Members also brought examples of completed smalls for inspiration. At October’s meeting Kim gave a presentation on needles and, in January, one on thread storage. Very informative.

At our December meeting, we held our annual potluck dinner and ornament exchange.

We held a number of workshops at our meetings this year. Kim led a workshop on canvas work, Jeanette led a workshop on embroidered miniatures in jewellery, and Geri led a workshop on making magnetic needle-minders.

At our May meeting, local fibre artist, Rosemary Oliver talked to us about her many pieces of artwork she describes as ‘painting with fibre and thread’. She is skilled in so many areas which she has synthesized with her interests in the environment and preservation nature. We are so grateful she was able to take the time to come and speak to us. It was an incredible presentation of her work – very informative and inspiring. Here are some samples of her work.

In June, at our year-end potluck meeting we awarded our TATA winners. Our annual challenge award – the TATAs (Trillium Annual Theme Awards) this year was smalls. This is defined as “a functioning piece of stitching that could be found in a sewing basket”.

Marilyn received the Original Design Award for her exploding box project, Jeanette received the Chart/Adapted Award for her Hardanger Trio – a needle case, pin cushion and scissor fob, and Geri received the Technical Merit Award for the ‘Just Bee’ set – a pin cushion and needlekeep.