Since the last session I have machined all the flowers on and started to attach the backing fabric which has to be black. I used a sheet as it was the cheaper option. It was hard work battling with such a large piece of fabric under a domestic sewing machine but I made it more manageable by only doing about an hour and a half in one sitting. I think it took me about 5 hours in total. Phew, but I was so relieved that we were a stage further on and that the group would have something to do.
There were a few things that needed finishing off. Firstly we had to allow time for one unfinished handstitched flower to be completed. Whilst we waited the group naturally and organically split into two.
One group started to stitch buttons onto the Suffolk puffs to hold the two layers together and the second group finished off the last of the rosettes. In-between time, I had to nab the banner to finish off overlocking around the edge once the last flower had been stitched on. Then Lillian and I discussed the tab situation, once the size was decided upon I left her to it.
Moving around the round there was a nice level of chatter, discussing various topics, one of which was our plans for the march in London on the 10th June. Who was taking what, backpack, hats, rain macs etc. When you get a group of women in one room with single minded purpose that's what happens. They were thinking of the less able, where we would be meeting. My suggestion was about taking something with you to do on the journey there, in my case it was tatting. I think the journey back might be a gentle snooze.
The actual march or procession will be two and half miles, which for some people will be quite a distance.
Once everything was stitched in place and only fifteen minutes to go. the lovely Lillian, who has kept Carole and I in check and been a fabulous support during the later sessions (along with Kate and Mary) started pinning on the lilac and silver border, placing the tabs at the top. This enabled us to have a well deserved photo together for prosperity (which I will have to add into this post when I receive it, but after the march has taken place as requested by Made in Corby). I had asked Kate from Corby Community Arts if she minded bring her tripod for her camera (put it on self timer) so she could be I'm the photo as well.
