Each month “Stitching with Liz and Helen” offers a day class in embroidery.
Everyone is welcome and no previous experience is necessary.
Classes are on either Saturdays or Sundays. In September there will be the chance to stitch a sunflower brooch.
October will be a goldwork spider to celebrate Hallowe’en. In November we will take time out from stitching to look at how to plan an embroidery project.
We will end the year with an “Embroidery Potpourri”: stitch a simple brooch, or a badge, or a bauble for the tree.
Join Liz Tapper for this fun class, working a number of surface embroidery stitches, using various fabrics to create petals and build up a sturdy brooch. This is a large brooch perfect for using to embellish a bag or coat - create a spot of sunshine as we head towards winter. Suitable for all levels.
The class kit will include everything you require to complete the project. You may like to bring your own embroidery scissors and pins, and you will be able to borrow ring frames on the day.
Tuition cost £70 for the day. The kit, fabrics, threads, needles and notes, is £36,...
Learn how to professionally complete your finished textile or embroidered work in readiness for framing. During this one day class, you will learn how to mount a piece of work ready for framing. You will measure, draw and cut your card to size, before covering with calico and sateen using a curved needle.
Please note that this class is for a sample mounting piece only, you will not be mounting an actual finished work, although the tutor will be happy to talk to you about the different requirements of various fabrics.
The kit costs £21 and is payable on the day to the tutor...
Learn a mix of appliqué and quilting techniques, with a RAMM inspired design. Inspired by an exhibit in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, we will create a work which combines applique and quilting techniques. The day will include applying fabrics, padding methods, a variety of edges including cord. At the end of the day you will have a range of techniques which you can use in futue projects.
Kit costs £20, payable to the tutor on the day.
There will be an hour’s break for lunch at 1pm. Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the class price. There are shops...
Learn how to shade using the technique of blackwork on counted linen, with a RAMM inspired design. Blackwork came to England from Spain with Catherine of Aragon in 1501. Its diaper patterns originated from ancient Moorish patterns which were made up of intricately designed, interlaced geometric shapes. It was widely used during the Tudor period on clothing, particularly on cuffs and collars, where it was worked to be the same on both sides of the fabric. Today's blackwork has seen the use of shading, leading to the creation of some beautiful embroidered images, purely in black thread on...
Learn a range of stumpwork techniques, including needlelace, wrapped wire & padded slips to create a sampler. There are dozens of ways in which relief can be added to an embroidery to give it a 3D effect and added interest. Some methods have been handed down over the centuries while others make use of more modern materials.
This one day course will cover a variety of techniques for example padded needle laces, wrapped wires, raised surface stitches, covered card, padded slips etc. By the end of the day you will have a series of samples for use in your own projects. We also hope...
Learn how to construct a small fabric covered box. This is an excellent start for leading onto more complex box designs. This class will cover the basics of fabric covered box making, from first drawing out your box pieces onto card, cutting them out and covering them, having chosen from a range of pretty fabrics available on the day, before then assembling your box. This is an excellent start to enable you to construct further boxes in the future.
If you have previously attended the Goldwork class, this design can be used to decorate your box.
Learn a variety of textural surface stitches using white threads on white fabric to create a waterlily design. Mountmellick embroidery is a whitework technique dating back to 19th century Ireland. It uses “satin jean” fabric and cotton threads of different weights. It mixes lots of textural stitches to create images from nature, typically flowers and grasses. The technique can also be used for more contemporary designs.
During the day you will sample a variety of stitches before starting to apply them to the waterlily design provided. Stitches will include mountmellick stitch,...
Learn the basics of goldwork couching and chips. The design can be used later in the Box Construction class.
This goldwork class will introduce you to some basic goldwork techniques. You will learn how to apply padding using felt, how to work with and couch two different types of gold thread and how to use cutwork.
The goldwork kits for this class cost £35 each and include all materials required. You will need to bring embroidery scissors and pins. Tweezers, a thimble, needle threader, magnifier and daylight lamp may also be useful.
Learn the basic elements of silk shading & stitch a small flower, enabling you to continue working with this technique at home. Sometimes known as painting with the needle, this is an embroidery technique which uses fine threads and needles. It can take time to become confident, but it helps to persevere.
We will start the day by working through all the elements of successful silk shading one by one. We will then move on to combine all these elements in one piece. We will stitch a small flower motif which will provide lots of useful practice. By the end of the day you will...
