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Each year there is at least one challenge on a chosen theme. The main challenge is issued early in the year, to produce an item to be displayed at the annual Christmas Dinner, this is generally known as "Sue's Christmas Challenge". Participation is voluntary as it is designed to be a fun activity and there are no prizes. The 2022 theme was "Wonders of Nature", the 2023 theme was "Bring on the bling", 2024 was "Inspired by an Artist" and 2025 "Peace". How members choose to interpret the theme is left to those taking part.
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Previous themes have been based around a stitch, recycling or a phrase. You can look through the archive to explore how members have risen to the various challenges prior to 2022 (there is a link above) and pictures of recent items are loaded on to the gallery pages for December (or see archive).
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Occasionally an extra Challenge is issued for a particular theme and in November 2023 Vanessa issued a challenge to produce an item reflecting the theme of the group's regular exhibition which was held in Foulden on the 8th & 9th June 2024. ​​Members were invited to produce a item to be displayed at the June 2024 exhibition with the theme “Borders in Stitch”. It could be any size, in any textile or stitch medium and how to interpret “borders” was left to the participants.
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Taking part in Challenges is not compulsory. They are always meant to be fun.
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CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE 2026 : Though a window.
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From January the responsibility for setting the Christmas challenge has been passed from Sue to Kate Allport. Here is her first Challenge:
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The Christmas Challenge for 2026 is to stitch a view through a window. It could be inside looking out or outside looking in. Perhaps the window is in a building, modern or ancient. It could be in a vehicle – car, bus, train, aeroplane or even a space rocket! Any technique can be used, and the choice of materials is yours. There is no minimum or maximum size so long as it is easy to transport and can be 2D or 3D.
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As usual, we hope to bring our finished item (or “work in progress”) to our Christmas lunch so that other members can appreciate what we have achieved. There is no obligation to take part, but we hope as many people as possible do so. Have fun!
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