Sew - That's What it Does - by Jackie B

Deirdre began the meeting by commenting on the great success of our 2026 exhibition and said that we could now experience it again on You Tube. Booking for the Carolyn Forster workshop would begin next month. She then welcomed our speaker for this evening’s meeting Gill Towell.

Gill had prepared the hall for her talk by setting up for a Power point presentation and also cameras focussed on her sewing machine which would allow us all to see her demonstrations. Her talk was entitled “ Sew- That’s What it does” Get to know your sewing machine and discover what it can really do. She reminded us that we would not need to take notes as she had prepared a comprehensive handout. Gill has close links with Janome and although she had made videos demonstrating their different models of sewing machines, she had spent a quite a lot of time preparing especially for tonight’s talk so this was a trial run. Gill appreciated that many of us might know some of these tips but hoped we would all take away with us something new.

She had decided to focus on areas. that most sewers have asked her about -

1. Tension

2. Reverse and Lock Stitch

3. Understanding stitch plates

4. Accuracy and choosing needles

5. Threads and spools

6. Pressure foot

7. Even feed

8. Advanced Feeding systems

9. Decorative Stitches

10. Buttonholes eyelets and darning

11. Tapering and variable zigzag and couching

After our refreshment break, she invited us to view all the samples she had prepared for us to illustrate her talk, and to approach her to ask specific questions. Everyone seemed very inspired to go home and experiment with their sewing machines and produce more accurate and creative sewing projects. Thank you Gill.