cushion love

Just to say that you don't have to have a swish sewing machine to make stuff.  This one is over thirty years old (thanks, Mum) and Annie soon took over the controls to make a lovely cushion.

Congratulations to our novices who went home with their gorgeous creations after a night at Curvey Crafters and help from Fiona, Jo, Noeline and Sunita.

spring moments

Niki's been  enjoying the sunshine!  What have you been up to?

cups, bloomers and briefs

Let's just say it's been a voyage of discovery.  If you want to see what we discovered, come and see us tonight at Chisenhale Dance Space in Chisenhale Road, E3.  We're putting on three performances in the small dance space.  First one starts at 7.30pm.

Never say that EEWI doesn't take you off the couch...

a night at the sack races

Lovely evening serving goodies to support Cafe Direct's Night at the Sack Races.  Mind you, it wasn't all hard work...

Do come along and see us at Spitalfields Trader's Market tomorrow at the International Women's Fair, 10-5pm.  Would be lovely to see you.

march events

Well, we won't be dancing exactly at our evening meeting on 15th March, but we will be a little more active than usual with a Tai Chi session so come prepared with loose clothing so that you can practice some gentle and relaxing movement.  We'll be meeting as usual at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2 7.30 for 8pm.  Refreshments will be available, though do feel free to bring a bottle or something to share.  Visitors are welcome - we invite donations of £3 to help cover our costs.

With spring in the air - we hope - our coffee morning on Friday 18th March will be at the Frizzante Cafe at Hackney City Farm on the corner of Goldsmith's Row and Hackney Road - map here.  Meet in the cafe at 10.30am.

Other dates for your diary:

*We are going to be supporting Cafe Direct's "Jump in the Sack" event for Red Nose Day with tea and cakes.  Next Wednesday 9th March, 7-11pm at Village Underground, 54 Holywell Road, E2.

* To celebrate International Women's Day we'll be selling cakes on Saturday 12th March 10 - 5pm at Spitalfields Market.  More information here.

* Some of us (you know who you are!) will be performing "Cups, Bloomers and Briefs" with Jenny Edbrooke as part of the Chisenhale Dance Space "TV Dinners" festival from 7.30pm on Friday 18th March.  All will be revealed on the day.  Well, maybe not all.  I hope.

* If you want to make friends with a sewing machine, we'll help you to make a simple cushion or bag at an evening workshop on Thursday 24th March, 7 - 9pm, at the Salvation Army Hall in Kerbey Street With thanks to the lovely Cecilia for donating some beautiful fabric to help us hone our sewing skills.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

garter stitch 100 this sunday

Back to Basics would like to invite you to go along and join in their event this Sunday 20th (2-5pm) in support of Garterstitch 100's 100 million stitches for 100 million women initiative linking to International Women's day. You'll find Back to Basics at 29 Old Ford Road, just along a few doors from St Margaret's House.

It is estimated that 100 million women are missing from the world due to gender discrimination. Each stitch will represent a woman "missing" for reasons including gender provoked infanticide or abortion, sex trafficking and complications in childbirth.

Please take along your creativity and a cake to share if you'd like to. They will provide, tea, needles and yarn (but if you'd like to bring your own you are very welcome!). If you haven't knitted before they can give you some coaching. Crocheters also invited!

It's a lovely space with lovely people - you'll have fun.

(The photo comes from a little knitting session that Elizabeth was asked to run for a women's group at the Osmani Centre last week.  We really enjoyed our morning.   It was great to work with such attentive students and share the knitting love.  It's what we're all about, after all.) 

february meetings, in and out

Hope you can join us for our meetings and outings this month.  Inspired by the new film exploring the challenges faced by King George VI, we are kicking off with a night out to see The King's Speech this Thursday 10th February.  Meet us at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA.  The show starts at 8.30pm, but we'll start assembling just after 8.

At our evening meeting on on Tuesday 15th February, we'll be following up with a talk on stammering by Julia Ammon from the British Stammering Association.  Meet as usual at St Margaret's House, 21Old Ford Road, E2 9PL,  7.30 for 8pm start.  We'll provide tea, coffee and more fun, though feel free to bring a bottle too if you wish.  Non- members welcome (suggested £3 donation).

Our coffee morning on Friday 18th February is a little further afield, this time to the Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square to see their exhibition 'Threads of Feeling", a display of the fabrics mothers left to identify their children when they left them at the original Foundling Hospital.  There will also be a chance to see other exhibits at the museum.  We'll be meeting in the cafe at 10.30 and our group visit will start at 11am.  Please note that there is an entry fee of £5 per person to pay.

Finally, don't forget that we'll be serving tea and cake at the WI Crafts Day this Saturday 12th February at the Women's Library, Old Castle Street, EI (just round the corner from Aldgate East station) , 11- 4pm.   This family event will bring together WI members from different federations to provide a historical context to WI crafts and the role that the WI has played in saving traditional crafts.  It will demonstrate some of the contemporary work of the WI and provide an opportunity to learn more with stalls, display and demonstrations, including patchwork quilting, knitting, lacework and rag rugs.  YOu'll also be able to see Handmade Tales, the current exhibition.  It would be lovely to see you there supporting the WI and the Women's Library.

Busy, busy, busy....