Introducing raised embroidery techniques

Explore traditional stumpwork techniques as the tutor demonstrates stitches and needlelace, gives advice on thread use and suggestions about colour and design. The abundance of textures and colours found in West Dean Garden is used as inspiration for creating your own unique design.

Ability: Beginners/Intermediate
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 9 hours. The tutor also recommends how you can develop your work further so that you can continue to use the skills acquired on this course for future projects. Six months of online access to all of the course content.

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Introduction to tutor Fleur Oakes and workshop overview

Getting started

Materials, equipment and health and safety

Workshops

Introducing two textured stitches
Introducing two raised stitches
Combining stitches – considerations of colour and placing
Introducing needlelace
Three dimensional needle lace
Developing your own compositions

Course includes:

Access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with course content
A series of instructional videos to work through and repeat at your own pace
Practical tasks to complete
Helpful materials suppliers list
Student online gallery where you can post images of your work for tutors to review and comment on
Support from the college and tutors via email should you need it during the course
Additional notes and ideas

You will need:
Materials

A minimum of five pieces of closely woven scrap fabric to practice stitches on
Calico or a similar fabric is suitable
A range of embroidery threads from plain cottons to hand dyed silks. You can include some ombre or space dyed threads; rayon thread; basic thread for tacking. Most threads are six stranded, e.g. Anchor cottons, some are perle (heavier thread) and occasionally silks are twelve stranded
Crochet perle cotton for needlelace - 10 or 20
Scrap piece of Cellophane 10cm x 10cm. (wrapping of a greetings card is suitable)
Small (15mm diameter) wooden macrame bead and a stick or knitting needle that fits in its hole to practice 3D needle lace. Smaller wooden beads for your own projects,10-8mm diameter

Tools and equipment

Embroidery hoops – small ( 10cm -15cm) is fine for samples and then you will need a larger size (20cm - 30cm) for when you go on to sew your own designs
Embroidery needles, size 9 or 10
Embroidery scissors
Pins - Entomology pins are good as they are very long

Additional equipment you may need:

Pencil
Small pair of pliers
A good pair of metal tweezers
A small screwdriver to tighten up your embroidery hoops

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Fleur is a lacemaker and three-dimensional embroiderer and has worked widely in the fashion and textile arts. With both a fine art and design background she has designed textiles for couture houses as well as producing her own corset range.

Fleur is also a member of The Art Worker’s Guild. Here she has a role in the ongoing promotion of the importance of craft in society. As part of a recent fellowship with the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Research Institute (VARI) she explored new ways to focus on their collections through the perspective of the craftsmen who made the objects.

Fleur's work all stems from close observation of natural structures, the colours of leaf and stone and a deep connection with the natural world.

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Introducing raised embroidery techniques

Tutor

Fleur Oakes

Course content

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