Course Description

In this workshop Richard has drawn on his love of stitching, paying attention to time, labour and care to develop three days of stitching.

The workshop will explore a combination of traditional hand embroidery techniques, how you do it and why you do it. You will explore the slowness and rhythms of hand stitching; the versatility and strengths of embroidery for drawing and mark-making, and the pleasure in having time to make.

You will explore how to create textures and patterns with embroidery, working a stitch in different threads changing its scale and spacing, and combining stitches to mark-make and draw. Practical help will be given by demonstrating the many ways in which this can be achieved using the most simple of hand embroidery techniques; no knowledge of particular and precise embroidery techniques are needed. The emphasis will be on both group and individual tuition.

Objective:

To develop traditional hand embroidery skills.

To translate your own thoughts and inspiration into stitch.

To develop an understanding of embroidery as a contemporary art medium.

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, 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

• A selection of threads to supplement what you bring will be supplied by the tutor for the use of the group.

What students need to bring

• The following materials
• A selection of fabrics to embroider on, example 30 x 70 cm or bigger if you wish (you will use this as the base for all stitching throughout the course). It is important you choose fabrics which are easy to stitch on; calicos, woven wools, linen or similar.
• A selection of traditional embroidery threads - stranded cotton, perle cotton - a range of colours but must include a variety in black.
• A selection of non traditional embroidery threads - from wool for knitting to wires, steel cords, laces. (the tutor will bring a selection) - a range of colours but must include a variety in black.
• Any other materials you feel connected to and might want to use.
• Any embroidery scissors, needles and pins, you may have.
• Glasses for close work if you need them.

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Embroidery hoops (also available to borrow in the studio)
• Embroidery needles - various sizes
• Scissors
• Pins
• Pens/ pencils
• Sketchbook / papers to draw on