Goldwork beetle brooches with Hannah Mansfield

Sewing, embroidery and accessories

Ref: SWE11900

Beginners/Intermediate £288
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About this course

This course will introduce you to the hand embroidery technique of goldwork. Using specialist goldwork threads you will be guided through the process of embroidering golden beetle brooches.

Course Description

You will work with specialist goldwork wires to make beetle brooches. You can choose from a selection of designs to embroider. Each design will teach you several key goldwork embroidery techniques including padding, cutwork, chipping and applying pearl purl.

The first evening will start with an introduction to the beetle brooch designs and you will be able to choose which beetle design you want to embroider. You will be shown how to transfer a design to the fabric using the tacking method.

On the first full day you will learn how to apply padding to create raised embroidery. Then you will begin to use different goldwork wires to embroider your brooch, you will be able to choose from a selection of gilt and silver plated wires. You will be shown how to use goldwork wires for a variety of techniques such as applying pearl purl and filling techniques such as cutwork and chipping.

In the afternoon you will be shown how to make your embroidery into a brooch. On the last day you can begin making another brooch of your choosing, you will be encouraged to experiment with the techniques you learnt on the previous days to customise the beetle designs to your own taste.

Each stage of embroidering the brooches will be demonstrated to the group by the tutor, who will also be able to give one-to-one tuition to ensure each student fully understands the techniques. By the end of the course you will have a good understanding of goldwork embroidery and the specialist techniques and materials that are used to create a goldwork design. Basic hand sewing skills are required but you do not need any experience with goldwork embroidery to take part in this course.

The size of the finished beetle brooches will be around 4cm x 5cm.

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

  • On this course the tutor will supply most of the materials including:
  • Needles and beeswax
  • Black wool felt,
  • Gilt and silver plated purl purl, smooth purl and rough purl
  • Gilt bright check purl
  • Yellow and white felt
  • Yellow, white and black cotton sewing thread
  • 2 Gold brooch pins
  • 10 inch Embroidery hoops and embroidery scissors are available for use during the course.

What students need to bring

  • Notebook if you wish to take notes
  • Reading glasses if worn
  • A thimble/embroidery scissors/embroidery hoop/needles – if you have them
  • Tweezers

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • The shop sells some embroidery threads and needles
  • Available from tutor:
  • Goldwork scissors
  • Extra goldwork wires
  • Coloured goldwork wires
  • Extra brooch pins
  • Velvet board
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toed shoes or sandals.

Tutors

Hannah Mansfield

Hannah Mansfield is a freelance hand embroiderer based near Bristol. She specialises in the techniques of goldwork and tambour beading. In 2019 Hannah was awarded first prize in the international embroidery competition The Hand & Lock Prize, for her collection of goldwork flower sculptures. Hannah is a trade freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers.

Accommodation

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

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