Younger children's work

The younger children have completed their first project under the supervision of Emma Stevens - Easter hangings. Here are some of the finished ones!

Work in progress at the Oxford children's group

Several of the children's baby bonnets have now been completed. This one was made by Sian Stevens, and is modelled by baby Juliana di Falco.

Work has now started on hand-quilted sleeping bags. The one below, made by Daniella Stevens, shows a beautiful, very simple Madonna and Child design. 

 Sleeping bags by Sian Stevens, Bridget Auty and Daniella Stevens

First Meeting of the Guild of St Clare, London

The Guild of St Clare's London branch held its first meeting on Saturday, 19th February 2011. Eleven people attended. Work has already begun on mending some very beautiful and antique embroidered vestments. This is being overseen by Sue Gollop, a skilled and very experienced needlewoman, with the able assistance of Vreni Windsor, who already does a great deal of work for the St Bede's Traditional Community and the Knights of Malta.

Sue Gollop, founder and co-ordinator of the London branch

Some members of the group are learning to knit baby blankets, which they are planning to give to the Good Counsel Network

Some members have little or no experience of needlework, and they are taking advantage of the meetings to learn some basic skills. The group is hoping to do some advanced training once they are more established. Altogether this is a very promising start to this new venture.

Smocking bonnets

Work continues on the smocked baby bonnets. Barbara brought two of her own designs to show the group.

Barbara has added beads to the green smocking on the left for a heavier, sparklier effect. This technique works particularly well on clothes intended for adults.

There is an important social aspect to the meetings.

Dominic Auty, Isabelle, Katherine, Francesca and Jacob Stevens enjoy a chat over a cup of tea

For smaller children and those not interested in joining in the sewing, we are lucky to have books and crafts supplied by Marion Joyce.

Margarita Grimer, Dorothea Shaw and Teresa Grimer take a break from their sewing

First meeting of the Guild of St Clare adults' group

The Guild held its first meeting for adults on Friday, 22nd October. It was a very convivial occasion with members bringing along their knitting, mending, smocking and applique. We look forward to the growth of the group and its expansion into techniques used in vestment making.

Clare Auty, Elizabeth Dulston (of Zelie's Roses) and Emma Stevens hard at work

The first session at St Anthony of Padua church hall

In Michaelmas Term 2010 we moved to St Anthony of Padua church hall in Headington. It's much easier to teach two groups here, as the room can be divided into two with a partition down the centre. Above, some of the younger group making chalice veils with the help of Emma Stevens; the older group, led by Barbara Williams, making smocked baby bonnets.

Completed needle cases

By the end of summer 2010, several beautiful needle cases embellished with drawn threadwork had been completed.