At our March meeting, the committee continued with the tradition of showcasing the work of an individual member. This time we were treated to a pop-up exhibition of embroidery and quilting done by Linda Hoddy over the years. Linda showed us embroideries and quilts that illustrate how her work has changed and developed over time. Two needlepoint pictures were presents when Linda was a child, and they gave her a real taste for making stitched art. They below here, as well as a little needlepoint picture of a dog that she also completed as a child. Another early example is the pink and white hexagon quilt, which was Linda’s first attempt at English paper piecing. Her father challenged whether it would ever be finished, which just gave her more motivation to carry on. Later on, a very formative influence on Linda’s work was doing two City and Guilds quilting courses, both of which she miraculously managed to complete while bringing up young children. The two big hanging quilts pictured below are from the courses, and showcase a different patchwork style in each square. Linda runs the Thursday Workshop group, where she encourages members to try out new techniques and learn new skills, so she is passing on the benefit of the courses and workshop she has been on over the years. She also runs the embroidery bric-a-brac stall at our monthly meetings, and exhibits regularly with the Curious Threads group, as well as going to a regular gathering in Fareham with friends who she did her City and Guilds courses with. She is a great example of ‘If you want something done, give it to a busy person’. Thank you Linda for showing us your inspiring work, and for everything you do for the group. Please scroll down and enjoy Linda’s textile journey (with apologies for the photo quality – the reflected light from the glass was the problem).
