Today Lisa, Emma, Danielle and Maria all came along with their girls. At the start of the session Lisa showed us two cross stitches that she has done from kits that she adapted. They are going to be for Lacey's memory box. I was really happy to see that Lisa has been working on her own sewing at home!
At the start of the session I showed images of samplers again and also of text and motifs in embroidery. We talked about all the different styles and effects people are using. This week I demonstrated how to use an embroidery ring and we started having a go at more freehand stitching- without using the binka holes to guide the stitches. We tried out french knots, back stitch, chain stitch, detached chain stitch daisies.
We talked about the first two postcards: 'Describe you pregnancy in 3 words' and 'What do you love about being a mum/what has surprised you/ what do you find hard?' These provoked great conversations about our experiences of pregnancy, how people were perceived in pregnancy, birth, how motherhood has changed us, 'the old me', lack of time, new challenges and grandparents.
Phrases that came up that people might use for their samplers were really nice. Maria: NOTHING STAYS THE SAME. Lisa: IT'S LIKE HAVING FRONT ROW SEATS.
Everyone seems to be getting on really well and enjoying being creative, making something and learning a new skill.Everyone took thread home with them to carry on stitching.
The babies all seemed calm, happily playing for the most part, and relaxed.