Welcome to 2018!

After the success of our January 2017 meeting – we decided to do the same thing again! A relaxed crafty catch-up allowing new and existing members to say “hello”, grab a cup of tea and a homemade bake, then settle down to their chosen workshop if they were feeling crafty.

It's fair to say the start of the meeting wasn’t as smooth as usual due to a mix up with room bookings and some issues with the floor being freshly glued down – but the committee pulled it together and made it work as they always do!

Once we’d settled down and covered “the business” (local and national federation news), this year saw us make a new batch of bunting for SHWI. We still have our bunting banners which members made at a meeting a few years ago and they get used at a lot of our fundraising events. But you can never have too much bunting! So I prepared a load of fabric triangles and invited members to bring any crafty bits and bobs lying around at home to make our bunting look extra fabulous. Meeting Host and sewing guru Cat was in charge of our “bunting station” and has very kindly offered her skills to string them all together.

Fundraising and Events lady Jodie taught members how to “finger-knit” necklaces out of t-shirt yarn – which looked rather fiddly, but plenty of ladies were sporting a new handmade necklace by the end of the evening. Maybe it was just me who couldn’t find the patience to get one done!

Secretary Bex set up a mindful colouring in station for anyone who didn’t fancy getting arty with fabric.

I was supposed to be running an introduction to crochet – but ended up running around all meeting sorting things out and nosying at what everyone else was doing – so big thanks to SHWI members Liz and Holly who stepped up and took over with the teaching.

As President, I feel totally okay saying this meeting really was an example of SHWI at their best – all members working together to get things done, a lovely buzzy but friendly atmosphere and the creation of beautiful handmade things. What a wonderful way to start the year! Here’s to an awesome 2018!

Laura B-H

President

September's meeting - Bunting making

There are plenty of SHWI ladies who claim to have no crafting abilities - but give them some fabric off-cuts, ribbons and buttons, and it's amazing what they come up with.

Last night's meeting was bunting making. After the usual business matters, we settled down to an evening of stitching and chatting. Materials were supplied, but a handful of more craft-minded ladies had brought in bits and bobs to help things along.

The idea was for everyone to decorate a triangle flag and Kim (our secretary) would put them together in time for our 2nd birthday party in October.

Some opted for simple, elegant rows of ribbon and the odd button, others emblazoned their flags with Radley style dogs or fancy feathers and lace.

Whether people adopted a simple running stitch or more intricate embroidery work, the results were fabulous. The finished article should look fantastic. There were plenty of "oohs" and "ahs" once all the flags were laid out on the table. Well done ladies!

Laura Bainbridge, SHWI Committee