Embroidering our Island at the NIEG Residential

Christine Boyle

Creative Director - Sewing Tutor

As the sewing residential weekend in Ireland drew to a close at Drumalis, the needles stilled and the machines fell quiet — but the journey continues. A needle and thread has no passport, yet it crosses every border, carrying the spirit of Ireland with it wherever it travels. From the patchwork fields of the Emerald Isle to the homes of the Irish diaspora across America, Canada, Australia and beyond — cloth remembers where we came from. These islands were always meant to be unfinished. Until our last stitch is sewn, we are all still on our own journey.

DAY 03

SUNDAY AT DRUMALIS

Continuing, Not Finishing
We gathered again on Sunday morning not to finish our islands, but to continue them.
Our only boundary was lunchtime — 12.30, when we would tie up our loose threads and pack up. In those few short hours, the machines continued to purr, hands continued to bead, paint and stitch. There was a quiet determination in the room. A last surge of making.
After the final thread was clipped and the machines unplugged, we stretched our shoulders and our hands — those hardworking, remarkable hands — and stepped outside into the fresh air for our photoshoot in the beautiful gardens at Drumalis.

This time together mattered. Not just for the making, but for the seeing. Standing among each other’s work, fully looking at what had been created over the weekend — the questions asked, the details noticed, the quiet pride in every piece. I expressed my thanks to the Northern Ireland Embroidery Guild and invited every member to give themselves a well-deserved round of applause, using the very hands that had created such beauty. Thank you to Helen. Yvonne, Pat, Lucy, Janine, Anne, Lorna, Anne and Karen.
Sewing for the soul. It had done all of us good — including me. What a joy it has been to be with these women, connecting through colour and cloth. A breath of fresh air in every sense.

Thank you to the Northern Ireland Embroidery Guild for welcoming me so warmly, and to every maker who brought her hands, her stories, and her vision to that studio. And thank you to Drumalis — for the light, the gardens, and the quiet that holds.

NIEG welcomes new members. They hold monthly meetings with guest speakers. For more information and to register your interest please contact niembroideryguild@gmail.com

💡 Christine's Tip Remember to appreciate those hands. Wiggle the fingers, rotate the wrists, and give yourself a pat on the back. Apply the handcream. Stretch out the shoulders and be mindful of your posture. Its easy to slump when sewing, adding to back pain. Take breaks in your sewing time.

THE THREAD THAT TRAVELS

My first needlecase, sewn aged 6, travels with me. It has my initial CB. I show it to my students, a reminder that we all have to start somewhere. The action of passing a thread through a needle is a powerful and magical one.

A needle and thread has no passport, yet it crosses every border.
It carries us home when we are far away, and carries our stories outward when we leave. A scrap of fabric — a curtain from a childhood room, a scarf dyed with plants from a hedgerow, a tweed cut from a mother’s offcuts — can hold an entire life within its weave. Wherever we are in the world, cloth remembers where we came from.
The islands these women made were always meant to be unfinished. Not as an oversight, but as a truth. Because we are still here. Still stitching. Still adding to the story of who we are and where we belong. The threads left trailing are not loose ends — they are the next chapter, waiting.
Until our last stitch is sewn, we are all still on our own journey.

"Christine is a true textile artist. Her suggestion on a thread colour transformed my piece. A wonderful 3 day workshop where Christine encouraged me to explore new materials and techniques, resulting in a landscape embroidery which I will treasure. "
- ANNE CONATY, GUILD CHAIR

SEWING CONNECTIONS

During the weekend I discovered that the Guild secretary had written a story about a lady called Kathleen. My mother’s name. I had to find out more — and so I bought the book.
It sits in my sewing studio now, gathered together with all the other pieces of this journey. My mums Singer Featherweight that came to the retreat, the one she sits at in the photograph. A quiet reminder of the threads that connect us — to places, to people, to those who are no longer here but whose presence we still feel in the work we make.
It is these small, unexpected joys — a name on a page, a thread you didn’t know you were following — that remind me my own journey through colour and cloth is a story still being written.

At Colour and Cloth, we teach all levels of sewing courses and workshops. Summer Sewing courses are ready for booking and start mid July. NEW Free Motion Embroidery workshop will be released on Wednesday 1st July.

Visit Our Sewing Shop

Janine pins the counties in place

Janine paints the flow of water

Annes hands working into her cloth

Lornas silk natural dyed island

The view from Annes window

Lucys embroidery

NIEG Residential 2026

Karens corner of home

Lorna, Anne and Yvonne

Lucy, Janine and Karen

Conversations and creativity

Anne, Pat and Helen

The Epic Ireland Roadtrip Coat

A Dress for Kathleen

My Singer Featherweight that is suitable for FME

My first needlecase

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Christine's pick

Studio:⭐Recommended

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 174 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Danni 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've just completed a 6 week beginners course with Christine in Colour and Cloth. I had never used a sewing machine before booking the course and was nervous going into it but Christine put me at ease from the very beginning. The course was really enjoyable and the 6 weeks flew in, I learned so much during my time and made a lovely skirt for myself. I would definitely recommend Colour and Cloth to anyone interested in sewing. Christine's knowledge was invaluable and I will definitely be booking another course.
  
 
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   Jackie O'Hara 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service … very fast turn around .. great reception.. Brian cares about sewing machines.
  
 
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   Janet McNamee 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Left two sewing machines in with Brian for repair/servicing.  His knowledge and attention to detail was very reassuring.  Both machines are now working perfectly.  I would thoroughly recommend.
  
 
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   Elaine Price 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What lovely people to deal with. I left in my sewing machine to be serviced. My machine is  an older singer model. Im so happy that Brian was able to do a good job servcing  it and  sort out its problems within the mechanism. Also lots of great advice. Great job. Thank you. Very happy
  
 
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   Lucy Johnston 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Contacted Brian to book in my Pfaff machine for repair. He got back to me almost immediately and had it fixed within 48 hours. An excellent job and customer service. Brian and Christine are such a lovely couple and it was a pleasure to meet them. I'll definitely use the service again.
  
 
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   Cal Wright 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was such a wonderful experience! The skills and knowledge I have taken away will propel any future creations immensely. I’ll never look at the Sewing Bee in the same light! I honestly believe these are life skills, honed and taught in the most easily understood way by Christine… such an honestly beautiful person who truly has the patience of a saint. These past 6 weeks will stay with me a lifetime… tho I do hope to complete another course at some stage again. Highly recommend to anyone with no or a lot of sewing skill or knowledge. You will thoroughly love it!  Fabulous!!! Also had my sewing machine given the once over… cleaned and serviced… by Brian - again, highly recommend! My sewing machine now runs so smoothly, with an excellent timely turnaround. Thank you both of you!
  
 
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   Caroline Colgan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had such a lovely time with Christine.  She helped me on a mission to adjust and repair jeans I had been looking to have fixed for a long time. Christine's advice was incredible and I went home and completed the adjustments. I also bought a fabulous sewing machine which has been brilliant
  
 
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   Tracey Power 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed a 6 week programme with Christine in Colour and Cloth. I learnt so many skills that I thought I would not have been capable of. Christine is highly skilled and professional in all things sewing. She is very patient and takes time with all her students. I really enjoyed the classes. I would highly recommend Colour and Cloth to anyone who wants to learn sewing. Christine is the best there is in this industry. Tracey Power.
  
 
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   John McCord 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just finished the Deginners Sewing course with Christine at Colour &Cloth and I have to say, it was a great experience. A small cosy class and fantastic hands-on instruction for everyone...have already signed up for the Intermediate course.
  
 
  
  
 
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