Welcome to the Association of Northern Stitch Groups

 

ANSG Spring workshop ​​​

Our workshop was at Bowburn on Saturday March 22nd 2025

with Tanya Bentham when members enjoyed a day stitching dragons, sheep and a leopard.

We used laid and couched work, also referred to as Bayeux stitch.

Tanya was a very well organised tutor who spent time demonstrating the techniques

used to both the whole group and to individuals throughtout the day.

The designs were stitched on an evenweave woollen fabric using hand dyed crewel

wool to replicate the traditional style of working this ancient technique.

The  members worked hard all day and had a most enjoyable stitching session

with a very lively tutor.

One finished piece, completed by Jill Marshall, is showing above.

Find her work at www.opusanglicanembroidery.com

Photos below showing work stitched on the day.

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ANSG AGM 2025

The

The 2025 AGMtook place on April 26th at Bowburn Community Center with nine of the stitch groups being

represented at the event.

The minutes of the 2024 AGM were accepted as a true and accurate record and there were

no matters arising.

The chairman Pauline Oldershaw, presented her report and commented on the successful events

that had taken place over the last tewlve months.

This was followed by the Treasurer's report, in which Pat Dickenson commented on the ANSG's finances;

acceptance of the audited accounts was proposed and seconded by two members of Richmond &

Leyburn Creative Stitchers.

The changes to the Constitution were approved unanimously by a show of hands by all members present.

Pauline Oldershaw has now stepped down as Chairman and as there were no nominations for a new

Chairman the committee will discuss the issue later. The treasurer and secretary are willing to stay in

office for another year, as are the rest of the committee. Denise Crawford, Chair of TAS 2 Durham

stitch group was welcomed onto the committee.

There were no questions from members, the date of the next AGM was confirmed as April 25th 2026.

In recognition of her hard work Kate Allport presented Pauline with an orchid and a gift voucher on behalf 

of the committee.

Following the AGM, Kevin Thornhill gave an informative and amusing talk about wedding dresses, with

particular reference to Royal wedding dresses. There were a selection of dresses on display and many

others for the members to enjoy looking at before the meeting started and after the talk.

There was a very varied selection of stitched brooches, creatd by members, on sale, and as usual we

enjoyed light refreshments and took part in the raffle.

The photos below of the days events are as follows: Pauline being presented with the orchid

followed by some of the brooches for sale. Then a completed piece from the Association Afternoons

Mystery Stitch Pack and three completed pieces from previous workshops. Finally, two of the dresses

brought along by Kevin.​

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​ISG's Programmes for 2025​

The following 2025 programmes can be found on the ISG's Programmes page (click More, top right).

Alnwick Creative Stitchers, Darlington Stitch and Create, Hexham Textile and Stitch Group,

Newcastle Embroidery and Textile Art, Northeast Seaside Stitchers,

Ponteland Friendly Stitchers, Richmond & Leyburn Creative Stitchers,

Wearside Creative Stitchers and Random Stitchers of Cleveland.

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​The Association Afternoon 2024

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The  Association Afternoon was held on October 26th at Bowburn Community Centre. 

Our annual get-to-gether for the ISGs, was well attended and we enjoyed an afternoon of

catching up with old and new friends.

The gathering was welcomed by our chair, Pauline, who gave us an update on our friend Diane,

wishing her a speedy recovery. All groups were encouraged to forward their 2025 programmes

to Sheila, for inclusion on the web site. All members will be able to access the information

if they would like to attend other groups meetings. Pauline extended her thanks to all the

committee members for organinsing today and welcomed Kate from

Kates Kloths (www.kateskloths.co.uk).

She also mentioned the need for more  ANSG committee members!

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​The fund raiser for this event was stitched greeting cards ,

which reached over £100 towards funds. The raffle was well supported as well as the book stall.

 

The Mystery Stitch Packs (including fabric, buttons, threads and ribbon) were distributed, and

after seeing a lot of puzzled faces, dice(?) and paper were also distributed. Victoria went on to

explain her creative thinking behind getting us started.

 We were all encouraged to complete the fabric and then suggestions were made about

what we could make it into. Book cover, scissor case, needlecase, greeting card, glasses case. ​

 It was suggested that we bring along our finished pieces to the AGM in 2025.

The activity was a hit, our thanks go to Victoria (with help from Kate).​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

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