Join us for a relaxed and informal workshop where you can play with ideas to produce an embellished embroidery piece under the guidance of textile artist Aileen Smith. Aileen will take you through a variety of techniques and possibilities to inspire your embellish embroidery projects. All levels from expert to wannabe embroiderers are welcome!
Techniques will include:
- Building up layers of design
- Felt padding, covering with fabric, applying grid, embellish with stitch
- Random gathering of seam to cover raw edges of central part
- Encircle with beads or other item which can be couched (demonstrate method of application)
- Split stitch, back stitch, chain stitch, buttonhole stitch (demonstrate if required)
- Weaving with fabric or thread, woven and whipped circles
- Covering washers
- Finishing back of hoop, alternatives e.g. brooch, cushion, bag, etc.
Materials & Equipment needed:
- 4” or 6” embroidery hoop
- Selection of needles including a large eye tapestry needle, size 18 works well
- Sharp, pointed scissors
- 2 pieces of fabric for your hoop. Linen/cotton (an old pair of trousers is ideal)
- A small piece of felt, a 5cm square or scraps in any colour
- Small amount of netting from fruit or vegetable packaging
- A small piece of fabric to contrast with netting
- Old shirt/blouse you’d like to reuse - cotton, chiffon, silk, sheer fabric
- A rubber O-ring, metal washer or small curtain ring (optional)
- Collect embellishments for reuse from greetings cards e.g. gold strings, ribbons, beads from old necklaces, buttons, sequins.
- Threads – You can use s limited number of colours, for example, 3 different shades of greens and 1 contrasting colour
- 2 stranded cotton, one a contrasting colour
- 1 space-dyed stranded cotton
- 1 thicker thread e.g. Perle 5
