"Vietnamese Embroidery" by Helen Barnes

What a summer, blue skies, sunshine and a very informative talk and enjoyable workshop with Helen Barnes. We were able to sit in the cool and listen to Helen's very interesting experiences in Vietnam. She has accumulated a mass of information and embellished samples on the diverse textiles from across this fascinating country.

Helen had prepared a small kit for us to produce our own sampler drawing on the Vietnamese motifs, colours and stitches. The simplicity of the stitch-work: chain stitch, back stitch, cross stitch, ladder stitch and occasional French knot, meant our afternoon in the intense heat was not too daunting and there was a wonderful relaxed atmosphere as we stitched away in our last meeting before we broke up for the summer.

Thank you Helen for providing Grassington Embroiderers' Guild with a wonderful finish to our stitching this session this summer.