NEW FOR 2010 TRADITIONAL RURAL CRAFT COURSES AT ACTON SCOTT HISTORIC WORKING FARM

VICTORIAN NEEDLEWORK

Introduction to Whitework Thurs 29 & Fri 30 April £90

Everybody appreciates the beauty of fine white-on-white embroidery. It has a timeless appeal that has never really gone out of fashion, and machine-madecopies are never up to the true quality of the real thing. During this two day course you will be introduced to the technique of Mountmellick embroidery, which is the easiest of the various whitework methods that were so popular in the nineteenth century. Course participants will look at the history and see examples of nineteenth century work. Then they will work samples and learnhow to embellish household articles with exquisite whitework detail.

Victorian Patchwork Thurs 6 May £45

Think thrifty and learn to re-use scraps of fabrics to make beautiful patchwork which could be used in a number of ways - to make cushions, bags or quilts. We will have a look at English patchwork as practised in the nineteenth century. Methods of working will be demonstrated and participants will learn how to make their own patchwork piece and get started on a project of their choice.

Smocks & Smocking Thurs 20 May £45

Smocks were a common form of dress for the agricultural labourer of the mid 19th century. Many smocks were highly decorated with embroidery across the chest and shoulders and Shropshire Museum Service has several examples in its collections. During the course we will look at the history of smocks and smocking and see and handle examples from the collections. Participants will learn the basics of smocking - pleating the fabric and trying out traditional smocking stitches - easier than you may think!

Samplers Thurs 10 June £45

These were made for the purpose of practising stitches and were mostly executed by young girls (who possessed skills most adults today would be proud of!). The finished samplers were often works of art in their own right. Very often many stitches and needlework techniques would be worked on the one sampler (not just cross stitch). During this course two techniques will be practised on participants own sampler: pulled work and cross stitch, including lettering.

Appliqué Thurs 8 July £45

Appliqué is a charming way of using scraps of fabric. We will look at Victorian appliqué techniques and examine examples from the museum's textile collection. We will learn the basics of hand appliqué and finish off with stitch detail inspired by needlework of the nineteenth century.

Mrs Beeton's Berlin Wool Work Thurs 23 Sept £45

Better known today by the name of needlepoint or tapestry, Berlin wool work became a huge craze during a large part of the Victorian era. We will be looking at the technique as practised by ladies of the nineteenth century to see why it became so popular. Many people today are unaware of the variety of stitches that used to be employed (not just the inevitable tent or cross stitch). Also it was often combined with bead work. We will learn how to practise the basic techniques using stitches and patterns from nineteenth century needlework books.

All courses suitable for beginners. A list of what to bring to each course will be sent out to participants before the course begins. 

To book contact Acton Scott Historic Working Farm 01694 781307 www.actonscottmuseum.com

AT WESTHOPE COLLEGE

I teach embroidery and machine embroidery at Westhope College, Craven Arms, Shropshire. The courses cover traditional and contemporary stitch techniques as well as dying, printing, feltmaking and many other methods.  The courses at present take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and weekends. For further info see http://www.westhope.org.uk/ or email me.

SHORT COURSES AT WESTHOPE COLLEGE for 2010

'Enjoy the Embellisher (Needle-punching machine) 1 week Wed Feb 17 2010 Explore the possibilities of the needle-punching machine and use with hand made felt, silks and scrims, with ideas for projects and combining with machine and hand stitch.

'Machine Embroidery for Beginners 4 weeks Jan 27, Feb 10, 3 March, 17 March 2010 Learn How to draw with the machine, use metal, paper and mixed media, cable stitch, cords and much more.

'Nuno Felt Explored' 5 weeks Feb 3, Feb 24, March 10, 24 & 31 2010. Explore the exciting possibilites of combining fleece with many different fabrics such as silks, cottons, velvets and lace.

'Sumptuous Surfaces' 4 weeks April 21,28, May 5,12,19 2010 Mixed media surfaces combined with machine and hand stitch with silk and flax paper making, bonding, burning and using weird and wonderful materials.

EVENING CLASSES AT WESTHOPE

Mon 19, 26 April 10, 17 May 2010 6.30 - 9 pm 4 week course 'Easy Dying, Printing and Fabric Decoration' Learn how to dye your fabric, make simple print blocks, use transfer paints and much much more. Make exciting fabric for making up into your own projects.

Mon 7, 14, 21 28 June 2010 6.30 - 9 pm 4 week course 'Sumptous Surfaces' Several techniques for exciting surfaces for textiles. Make silk paper, bonding, burning using a soldering iron, tyvek and lutrador and lots more.

For a full programme of short courses, Sat and weekend courses for the year ask Westhope for their programme www.westhope.org.uk

 

WORKSHOP WITH THE CHESHIRE BORDERS BRANCH OF THE EMBROIDERERS GUILD Tues 18 May 2010 'Nuno Felt Explored'.  Delicate felt using merino silks and muslins. Learn the techniques and maybe try a beautiful nuno scarf. To book contact Jane Rylands 01948 663184.

WORKSHOP WITH WOLVERHAMPTON EMBROIDERERS GUILD Sat 29 May 2010 'Patterns of the Earth'.  Punch, machine and stitch - make beautiful stitched textiles based on landscape inspiration.  We will use the embellisher machine, machine embroidery and hand stitch. To book contact Jude Lovatt 01902 686251

WORKSHOP WITH STOURBRIDGE EMBROIDERERS GUILD Sat 10 July 2010 10-4pm at the St James Church Hall, Belfry Drive, Wollaston, Stourbridge 'Bayeux Stitch Bonanza' Learn this ancient hand stitch technique and use in fun contemporary ways. To book contact Cheryl Holmes 01384 374569.

COURSES AT CARDINGTON

   Workshop at Cardington village hall

 If you want to arrange a workshop I can offer:

'Textile Tasters' at Cardington, Shropshire

Day workshops for two people in my attic studio. 10am - 4pm. Cost £40. Coffee and refreshments provided but bring your own lunch. Ring to book dates - weekdays and Sats are available. If more people want to come for a workshop (min 5 people) I can book our beautiful village hall which has near perfect facilities for workshops and is 1 minutes walk away!

Current courses available:

'Machine Embroidery for Absolute Beginners' - learn the basics of creative machine embroidery.

'Patterns of the Earth' - machine landscapes using stitch, fabric and fibre on soluble film.

'Patterns of the Earth2' - landscapes using embellishing machine with machine and hand embroidery using felt, fibres, silks and scrims.

'Make a Nuno Felt scarf' (hall only) - learn how to make a beautiful scarf or shawl using delicate silk chiffon and natural fleece fibres.

'Print 'n' Stitch' - make simple print blocks, print onto fabric and combine with stitch - good for beginners to textiles.

COMMUNITY WORK

I offer workshops and sessional arts and crafts activities on a freelance basis. I have worked with adults, children, families, people with learning difficulties, adults with mental health problems and older folk, in day centres, at conferences, schools, at church and community groups etc. I have worked for various organisations including Shropshire Council and the charities 'Prospects for People' and 'Home Start'. Workshops have included feltmaking (making group hangings and panels), paper and book making, silk paper bowls, tie-dying, computer printouts onto fabric and jewellery making, to name but a few. These activities proved great fun and were of great benefit to the individuals who took part - being creative is very therapeutic!

If you feel your group would enjoy some creative craft and textiles please do not hesitate to contact me for further info.