Free machine embroidered pictures with Linda Miller

Sewing, embroidery and accessories

Ref: SWE32036

Location: West Dean
£318
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About this course

Develop machine embroidery skills and make a picture or stitched piece. Working from your own reference material, explore the numerous techniques and textures that can be created with colour, threads and stitch.

Course Description

Demystify the art of free machine embroidery. The tutor will guide you through all aspects of creating a design, placing imagery, incorporating a background and a foreground into your design and how to finish and present your work to its full and deserved potential.

You will learn how to use a sumptuous array of machine embroidery threads in a variety of colours and thicknesses, and you can work with your own sewing machine or opt to use a college sewing machine to translate your original designs into a picture of stitches, a jewellery item or an embroidery piece.

Working at your own pace, you will gain further knowledge and confidence in learning and developing numerous free machine embroidery techniques and textures, created by threads and stitch, not to mention the delight of sewing and working with colour in this inspiring medium.

The workshop is designed for both the novice and more experienced stitcher.

The tutor will demonstrate machine embroidery, before you begin work on individual projects on a subject theme of your own choice.

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

Included

  • Some threads and calico are provided to be shared amongst the group.

What students need to bring

  • Please bring along a design, drawing or any reference material (photographs, drawings, pictures from magazines, greetings cards, postcards and books e.g. of gardens, the seaside, patterning) that you wish to work from. Themes can range from gardens, the seashore and the landscape etc.
  • Sewing materials, e.g. sharp embroidery scissors, 20-25 cm wooden embroidery hoop (can also be borrowed), plus any hand and machine embroidery threads, stitch and tear and stabilising fabric, plus calico you have.
  • A sewing machine – if bringing your own sewing machine, please ensure it is in good working order and with the ability to drop its feed dog teeth. Don't forget spare bobbins, needles and a darning/embroidery foot for the sewing machine (circle-shaped foot). If you do not have a darning/embroidery foot, you can use spring needles (No. 80). Alternatively you may use a College sewing machine. To reserve one please email: [email protected]
  • Your Sewing machine manual/sewing machine accessories (oil, screwdriver, etc.).
  • No. 80 machine needles

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • A small selection of machine embroidery and hand embroidery threads
  • Pencils/pens and paper
  • Calico (medium/heavyweight) - 0.5 metre will be plenty
  • 20 or 25cm (8–10”) wooden embroidery hoop (can also be borrowed in the studio)
  • Embroidery/sharp scissors
  • Sewing machine needles
  • Available from tutor:
  • The tutor will bring a selection of threads, calico and accessories that you are welcome to use, at a small cost.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.

Tutors

Linda Miller

Linda Miller graduated from Winchester School of Art in1988, exhibit my machine embroideries and teach throughout Europe and the USA. I have pieces in private and public collections and my book Creative Machine Embroidery was published in 2010. I appeared on TV's channel 4 in Kirstie's Homemade Britain in 2011.

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.