Kibworth and Smeeton WI
In April we welcomed Carolyn Boulter who showed us how to make an owl paperweight. Being well-organised, Carolyn brought along some owls she had made earlier. She had also prepared about 50 kits containing everything we needed, right down to a needle ready-threaded with cotton to match the fabric in each kit. It must have taken her ages! Members selected the kit they liked according to their colour preference.
To begin we took out two triangles of complementary fabrics already sewn together by their long sides, forming a teepee shape. We sewed running stitches around the bottom edge then, before gathering, stuffed the owl’s body with a small bag of rice. After gathering the stitches tightly, a circle of felt was attached, covering the gathers and forming the base. The top pointed section of the ‘teepee’ shape was folded over and secured with a small stitch to form the owl’s beak. Finally, two small circles of fabric were gathered and a button attached over the gathers of each, forming the owl’s eyes, so completing the paperweight.
It was a lovely sociable evening with members able to chat and laugh together while comparing their efforts. Even members with only basic sewing skills enjoyed themselves and were pleased with their achievements, thanks to Carolyn.
Since January many members have been getting creative for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and we look forward to seeing it all come together at the end of the month.
Julie Kinnear will talk to us about ‘The Life of Marilyn Monroe’ at our meeting on Thursday 9 June at 7.30pm in Kibworth Grammar School Hall.
Pat Sharman
