Stitched folk inspired floral sewing basket or textile with Anne Kelly

Art textiles

Ref: S3D31774

Location: West Dean
£441
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About this course

Create a textile wall-piece or upcycle a sewing basket, with layers of textile collage and stitching – your design will be a floral or nature theme. Using a range of simple and adaptable techniques taken from Anne's books, you will design a pattern unique to your piece.

Course Description

This a new and exciting course, working with vintage and reclaimed textiles to make a unique and memorable, floral inspired sewing basket cover or hanging. Using a range of simple but effective techniques, including textile collage and different types of stitching, you will recover a new or vintage sewing basket (found online or in a shop) or make a textile hanging.

The colours and shapes of summer flowers will be our inspiration and you should look through your collections and charity shop finds to discover examples with striking colour and form. These can be mixed and matched with continuous patterned fabrics, like Liberty or old chintzes and furnishing fabric. You will need a strong base textile to hold the elements (see the course materials list).

It is expected that by pre-selecting colours and images that appeal to you, it will be easier to combine them and make a new collage based fabric from your finds. The beautiful gardens at West Dean are a short walk from the studio and can act as a another source of inspiration, should you need it.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

What students need to bring

  • Before you select your materials, please choose a floral inspired colour scheme and decide if you would like to decorate your sewing basket or make a textile hanging.
  • For sewing basket:
  • A padded sewing basket, new or second hand
  • Greaseproof paper and pencil for pattern making
  • Pins
  • Thin wadding or wool blanket, enough to cover your piece (top lid)
  • For both projects:
  • Base layer of calico or patterned fabric for your theme; an old patchwork fragment could work too
  • Smaller pieces of fabric to decorate your piece
  • Threads for machine and hand stitching
  • Sewing machine (if desired, College machines can be used)
  • Glue stick, or bondaweb if preferred

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Threads, haberdashery, bondaweb, glue sticks if needed

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Tutors

Anne Kelly Farindola

Anne Kelly

Anne is a textile artist, author and tutor based in Kent. She is the author of three books for Batsford Press and exhibits and tutors throughout the UK and internationally. 

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.