This weekend the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre Student Exhibition opens. Do go and have a look at the work produced at the fabulous classes held there. You might be inspired to sign up for one of next term’s classes.
My students are exhibiting their ‘makes’, too. Here’s what we got up to this term:
This week my students looked at using waste fabric to stitch on anything, where the waste fabric is pulled out thread-by-thread after stitching has been completed.
My students had chosen gorgeous embroidery kits from Nancy Nicholson and we hooped them up and started with the simpler stitches. This was continued for a second week. The designs really start to stand out with the threads giving a such a tactile 3D quality to the design. We discussed what to do with the finished piece, from backing it and attaching it to the front of a bag or box, making it into a decorative cushion panel or simply stretching it over an art canvas for hanging on the wall for all to admire our handiwork.
As this was a longer session we chose some gorgeous wool fabrics and starting cutting out pieces to make beautiful storage bag-boxes in our next class, to be embellished with our stitched designs. Can’t wait to show off my students’ work in my next post.
This week my students brought their completed bookmarks and practice pieces with their fabulous cross stitch designs. I then set them a Valentine’s card speed stitch challenge, providing some Aida cross-stitch fabric marked with a heart shape using a transfer pencil. Then I challenged them to stitch their own designs, whether it be a geometric pattern, a modern random and over-sized stitching, text or a picture.
For weeks 3 and 4 of my class, the students began some cross-stitch for the first time, using squared paper to make up their own designs for a bookmark using Aida fabric. We continued this topic into Week 3, moving on to learn how to stitch into any fabric using ‘waste’ fabric stabiliser, then pulling out the stabiliser strand by strand afterwards.
Spaces are still available in the class if you’d like to join us for the remaining six weeks. We’ll be completing our cross stitch basics then moving on to other forms of hand embroidery. Check out the PACC website.
Today I made a lined oilcloth storage box. A friend had asked if I could make something spill-proof to sit on a coffee table and contain the TV remote controls. I used up some leftover tablecloth fabric and lined it with a navy polka dot cotton. Sewing the fabric on the reverse side was straightforward, using a jeans needle in the sewing machine. Getting the lining in was a big challenge as you can’t pin the oilcloth so I used paper-clips but they liked to slide out. The top stitching was hard to get neat, because you have to add a layer of tissue or baking paper (also paper-clipped in) to help the coated fabric run through the machine.
Looking forward to Textiles Techniques Week 2 where we will be doing some cross-stitch to learn about embroidery fabrics, stitching tips and thread tension. The students in my class have expressed an interest in hand-stitching, which means we can take the convenient route to our class content as for most classes we won’t need to bring a sewing machine. Hand-stitching is rewarding, practical, creative and portable. We are going to start off with some cross stitch techniques to create some small and simple designs. Why not come and join us and have a go at this absorbing handicraft? For more information visit the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre, www.pacc.org.uk.
Week 1 of my Textiles Techniques class at the PACC went very well. We made yo-yos from fabric scraps to use as embellishments, with some interesting ideas for their final use including necklaces and cushion decorations. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished products.
There’s still places on this class if you want to join in the fun. We are going to focus on hand stitched embroidery techniques this term and making up our handiwork into useful and interesting end products.
http://thepacc.org.uk
Here is some information about the class I will be running from January 2018 at the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre in Haddington. My Textile Techniques class is geared towards beginners. If you would like to gain confidence in starting your own sewing projects and learn some new techniques, then book your place now! I’ll help you with a range of techniques in hand and machine sewing while showing you how to make some simple gift and home decor items.
The class will be on Thursday mornings starting in January from 10-12 noon. Classes are great value for money at £70 for 10 classes, plus you will need to pay the PACC annual membership fee of £15. To book go the the PACC website. On the first week we will decide whether to run ten consecutive weeks or whether to have a week’s break in the middle, depending on what suits the class attendees.
Foxy felt decoration design in development for beginner sewing techniques class starting in January at Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre. Basic sewing and some embroidery stitches with no hemming required!
Another gorgeous fabric storage box. Almost can’t stop making them now I’ve started! Fabric outer with coordinating inner lining and stiffened with a layer of interfacing.
