What is a 'Doodle Cloth'?

I went to my first Guidance Group Meeting at the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria in February 2011. Known as 'Shelagh Amor's Group', some 20 or more delightful ladies turn up on the third Wednesday of each month to 'chat & stitch'. I have to admit some months are more 'chat' than 'stitch'!

This Guidance Group has been running for over forty years and has seen many members come and go. The one constant of course, has been Shelagh.

"I joined the Embroiderers Guild in 1968 after seeing an exhibition of members’ work. I was inspired by everything I saw at that exhibition. The work of some of the early members such as Phyllis Strangward, Ethel Oates, Lesley Uren, Edna Wark and Merle Whittle was magnificent. From then on, a needle was never far from my hand. The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria has been a means of learning many embroidery techniques but above all it has lead to many firm friendships." Shelagh Amor http://www.embroiderersguildvic.org/

As we settled in on that first evening Shelagh asked me what I planned to do and out came a tumble of words about the Majestie piece I had started. After listening patiently Shelagh just asked "Do you have a doodle cloth?". Well that stopped me in my tracks, "A what?" was my reply.

Before you know it, I had a piece of inexpensive calico sitting in a 6" inch wooden hoop as tight as a drum. A simple curved line was drawn and on it Stem Stitch was started. The hoop was handed back to me with the needle ready to do the next stitch. My turn to try out Stem Stitch on my 'doodle cloth'. It actually takes no more than that to start Crewel Embroidery.

I have retired that doodle cloth now as it is pretty much full but I have just prepared another for a friend about to try out some Trellis work. So a number of things became apparent to me that night:

• that I wanted to be able to stitch Crewel Embroidery like Shelagh Amor
• I should start with something simpler than Majestie as my first piece
• and never be without a doodle cloth!

Footstool designed and stitched by Shelagh Amor

Inspired, encouraged and taught by one very fabulous lady, thank you Shelagh.