AT WESTHOPE COLLEGE

I teach C & G 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 Wednesdays. For further info see http://www.westhope.org.uk/ or email me.

Short Courses at Westhope College:

'Further with Felt' Weds 17, 24 Sept, 1, 8 Oct  (4 week short course) -   if you've done basic felt but want to go further we will be experimenting with nuno felt, inlay work, 3D and use of stitch and embellisher machine.

This course got full up! Sign up for the next one:

'Further with Felt' Thursdays 16,23,30 Oct, 6 Nov (4 week short course)

'Out of the East' Weds 15, 22, 29 Oct, 5 Nov (4 week short course) - creative hand stitch inpired by the east.  Kantha, shisha glass work and Japanese Sashiko. Most of the technique involves the simplest of stitches - running stitch.  Good for beginners or experts.

'Machine Embroidery' Distortions and texture using calico Weds 19, 26 Nov, 3 Dec - for the slightly more experienced machine embroiderer

'Sumptuous Surfaces' Weds 14, 21, 28, Feb 4 2009 - silk paper, tyvek, bonding and melting using heat guns and soldering irons to use with hand and machine embroidery

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

 

OTHER WORKSHOPS COMING UP

'Patterns of the Earth' 18,19 October - landscape with fibre, fabric and machine stitch on soluble film at North Wales Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild, Rhyl. Further details contact aandjoecross11@tiscali.co.uk

Talk at Shropshire Embroiderers Guild Tues 2 Jan 2009 7.15pm 'My Voyage of Discovery' Workshop Sat 16 May 2009

Sat Workshops at Cardington, Church Stretton, Shropshire:

'Felty Fun Day' Sat 1 Nov 2008 £35

Make silk and soft merino nuno scarves or have a go at 3D, stitching or embellishing on a needle-felting machine.  A little for everyone.

'Mean Machining' Sat 15 Nov 2008 £35

Machine embroidery combined with the embellisher machine (needle-felting) to make inspiring landscapes and stitched images with felt, fibre and stitch.

   Workshop at Cardington village hall

 

If you want to arrange a workshop with a group 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 for Shropshire County Council and the charity 'Prospects for People' to provide workshops and group projects at day centres, conferences etc for people with learning difficulties or mental health problems.  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.