It’s the last meeting before Christmas and Maggie P has kindly agreed to teach us how to spin, and brings in drop spindles, carders, wool and a couple of spinning wheels. She is a fabulous teacher and we surprise ourselves by eventually getting the knack of it. Rhythm is all important. Lots of fun is had and she teaches us the terminology. We learn that the spindle which the wool is wound onto is called a distaff and Ann says this also pertains to the female/mother’s line of descent in family trees.
Caroline G has made an apple cake using an old recipe so we can celebrate the approach of Christmas. It is very tasty and we are pleased when she later shares the recipe!
Karen has brought in a copy of the broadsheet ballad Dives & Lazarus, she is fascinated by all things to do with this song, and Annie and I love the wood block images that accompany the broadsheets. Often the same image was used across several different broadsheet songs..
Caroline T and Ann give in their detailed contributions for the Autumn page of the Atlas and we all learn a little of the techniques and stitches they have used.
Maggie P is stitching the markings from the coffin lids she came across in Dilwyn Church. They remind us a little of the apotropaic marks stitched earlier by the group. She is stitching them on very fine material and the contrast with the chain stitched line is pleasing.
The Stitched Atlas 