For those who like collage, stitching and making stories.

This 2 day workshop will give you the opportunity to be playful and make connections with your materials while you are working. You will combine fabric, paper and stitches to create a story which might be one you know or you make as you create.

Start by making a collage from fabric and paper to make doors and windows. These will open and might reveal an old photograph, charm or a small embroidery. You might add the names of those in the photograph in stitch to start building your story.

The tutor will show how you might add shapes and animals with needle turn appliqué. There will be simple templates available for the animals.

You will be shown some simple hand stitching techniques which the tutor uses. These include backstitch, French knots, running stitches, stem stitch. There will be ideas for adding some free machine stitching for those of you who are happy to do so. A combination of hand and machine stitching can add interest to your piece of work.

When all the stitching is done there is always room to add an old charm or key.

A mix of old and new materials can be used. Vintage linens and tea towels make a firm base. The tutor will have some small pieces of these for sale.

Please Bring:

• Sewing machine (freehand foot / drop your feed dogs if free machining)
• Hand sewing kit. Bring a range of threads. Tutor will have some to use too
• Paper scissors
• Bondaweb
• Wadding
• Workshop iron and ironing mat. (Useful but there will be an iron available in the studio)
• Baking parchment to protect iron
• Fabric & lace for collage. These can be old and new
• Vintage paper

Optional Extras:

• Cigarette cards, old photograph
• Old French linen tea towel
• Ephemera or charms you may wish to include
• Stamps

Materials for Sale in the Studio:

• Bondaweb £3 for 1/2 metre
• Sewing charms £2 each
• Wadding (to be priced)
• Fabric/lace inspiration bags £20