Course Description

Drawing inspiration from the intricate forms, lines, and patterns found in nature—such as tree bark, leaf veins, flowers and seeds, you’ll create a unique textile art piece that reflects your favourite natural inspirations.

Work with an exciting range of materials, including metal fabrics made of copper, brass, bronze or stainless steel, soluble film, and silk. Techniques will include a special technique to create shading and texture from small sections of the metal cloths with machine stitching, adding hand stitching, beading, wires and embellishments for details.

Start with simple design exercises to uncover the lines and patterns that inspire you, then translate these into your artwork.

Suitable For

This course is suitable for beginners or improvers alike.

Requirements List

• Sewing machine, preferably suitable for free motion machine embroidery
• General hand sewing equipment
• Stencil brush or toothbrush
• Pen or pencil and paper for design
• Biro pen to mark soluble fabric
• Plain coloured silk dupion or other plain, smooth fabric, preferably with a soft sheen. Approx. 50 cm sq. maximum. The exact amount depends on the mounting you use to present your finished piece, you will need sufficient to accommodate this. (Optional – included in materials fee)
• Neutral coloured beading thread or machine embroidery rayon to blend with your colours
• Standard Sewing machine sewing threads in at least 3 colours to suit your colours, plain and/or variegated. (Such as Guttermann, Sylko, Coates, King Tut etc)
• Selection of beads. Suggestions include bugles, 2-3mm sequins, roccailles, square purl etc.
• If you have any other beads made from tyvek, lutradur or paper which suit your favourite colours, bring these also
• Extension leads

Materials Cost

There will be a charge of £25.00 to cover the cost of A4 Backing fabric, interfacing, metal cloth, metal shim, knitted wire, heating equipment, lutradur, paints and inks, brushes, masking tape, some threads and beads. This is payable directly to the tutor.