Ruby Celebration Exhibition of Textile Art and Embroidery - April 2016

Our exhibition was open to the public from Friday 22 April until Monday 25 April.  The Committee and members of the Guild took turns in helping Yvonne with the catering, sitting on the reception desk, selling cards, bags and hand made items on the Sales Table and  stewarding by chatting to people as they walked round and answering their questions.

On Friday evening we invited our husbands and a number of interested local people to a reception.  The Committee made a delicious selection of canapés and the Mayor of Marlborough, Mrs Margaret Rose kindly agreed to draw the raffle.  The South West Regional Chair of the Embroidery Guild, Val Rowe also came along to support the event and to view the exhibits.

Over the weekend we had a number of visitors - one lady, Edna from Wroughton was a branch member years ago and is now over 100 years old.  Another visitor arrived in her camper van all the way from Jersey.  She was so thrilled with the exhibition she came back a second day for a second look and to see Judy J's bead demonstration.

In addition to the 100 exhibits from branch members we also had a Silent Auction of a sewing machine which had been given to us when they closed Urchfont College and group of ladies from the Merchant's House in Marlborough kindly demonstrated turkey work each day

Sewcraft from Swindon kindly supported us by bringing a wonderful selection of their fabrics, threads and general haberdashery.  They were only planning to stay for three days but were so pleased with the arrangement they decided to stay for the complete time.  Very few people left without making a purchase from their stand and we are very grateful to them for their support.

Each half term and school holiday Christine Hill runs a session for the Young Embroiderers and their wonderful contribution of a tree of hands was on display for everybody to enjoy.  Below is one of the Young Embroiders pointing to her hand and also helping Robina stitch on a frame.

On a large table in the hall we had a wonderful display of exhibits which had been  inspired by Capability Brown. 

Just prior to the exhibition the Friends of Savernake Hospital kindly loaned us a hanging which had been made many years ago by a group of ladies under the guidance of Kaye Norris.  The images were of various ladies in history and visitors to the exhibition took great delight in guessing who they were.

The calico bags which we all embellished were a roaring success and several exhibits were sold to the public. 

Below are the red squares that members made for the Chairman's Challenge  together with a selection of the exhibits.

Last but not least are some photos of work produced during Chris Cook's Design to Stitch course and also work produced during our workshops.

 If you have any special photos taken over the weekend I would be pleased to receive them via email.

Report by Ros