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Class Descriptions
(Please follow the linked pictures for an enlarged view.)
Current Classes 2
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Flight from Suzhou ©
TECHNIQUE: Silk embroidery on sheer fabric
LENGTH OF CLASS: 12 Hours (2 days)
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Intermediate
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
With the lovely embroideries of China as our guide we will pursue the art of working gossamer
flights of butterflies on silk organza. The class will travel with me to the Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute through slides I took during my tour of the secluded gardens and workshop rooms. In
edition we will learn from actual samples of fabrics, threads, and embroideries produced and collected in Suzhou. Samples of other Chinese embroideries will be available for discussion and students
are encouraged to bring their own Chinese embroidery treasures to share with the class.
We will explore the world of Chinese symbolism and stitch a flight of butterflies in stranded silk. Shading
will be the key to embroidering the butterflies and there will be an opportunity to study doublesided work.
Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas for some color and stitch
interpretations.
SIZE: 5"x 7" design on 7.5"x 12"
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Floral Elegance
TECHNIQUE: Silk and Metal embroidery on canvas
LENGTH OF CLASS: 24 Hours (4 days)
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Intermediate Advanced
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Combining the elegance of traditional design with the beauty and glitter of
some of the oldest and newest techniques and materials we will encompass the
depth and breath of silk and metal embroidery.
For dimensional effects we will be using padding and raised metal techniques.
Pattern couching, Goldwork, and canvas stitches are also explored. Flat and
twisted silks will be used and we will create new threads by combining purls,
wire, foils, and metallics. The use of vertical Blackwork bands defines the
background.
SIZE: 7.75" X 11.5" design on 11.5" X 15"
SPECIAL CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTSÿ Flip Chart and Floor Ease.
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Floral Opulence ©
LENGTH OF CLASS: 24 Hours (4 days)
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Advanced
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Down glittering corridors of an age long past comes a glimpse of life we can but dream. Can you imagine that the inspiration of this pieces came from an apron? Giving new
interpretation to designs of the eighteenth century and blending them with the silk and metal of the twenty first, we will create an exquisite floral while exploring the dress and life of an opulent
age.
For dimensional effects we will be using padding in numerous ways: Couching Japanese golds over string or layered felt, padding sating stitches, using braid under Burden stitch. Pattern
couching, Goldwork, and filling stitches are also explored. Flat silk will be used and we will create new threads by hand twisting silk and metallics. The use of random Blackwork blends the
background from foreground into the distance.
Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas in color and stitch
interpretations.
SIZE: 6.5" X 7.5" design on 11.5" X 12"
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Golden Spring ©
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Advanced
CLASS LENGTH: 4 day
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Finally, after that long cold winter and the long cold drizzle that melted
the gray snow and rinsed the earth clean, comes the time of generous sun.
Blossoms exuberantly play in the golden light and Spring walks among us again.
The foundation for this bouquet is Thai silk and the silk fibers used are
flat silk and silk sewing threads. These combine with smooth purl, Faconnee,
crinkles, Jaceron, Japanese Twist and Japanese Dark Bronze and Dull golds to create the butterfly, blossoms and
leaves. The stitches included are
vertical, radiating, horizontal, voided, and diagonal satin; Long and Short
over padding and split stitch; normal and pattern couching. The students
will also learn how to transfer their own patterns and twist flat silk. The
focus of the class will be on couching, filling areas with purls, and
blending long and short over padding.
SPECIAL NOTE: This piece was used in the production of the video: Embroidery:
The Legacy of Needlearts in cooperation with Tells Productions in association
with the EGA.
SIZE: 8" X 10 " design on 13.5 X 18" silk foundation
KIT INCLUDES:
All materials necessary to complete the design including the working frame.
Sets of koma may be obtained from the instructor at an extra charge.
MATERIALS THE STUDENT SHOULD BRING:
Metal cutting scissors, frame magnets, fine tweezers (Uncle Bill's
recommended), thimble, straight pins, devise for holding the frame steady and
flat, laying tool (tekobari recommended). Lamp and magnifier if needed. The
usual needlework tools.
CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT: Floor easel with flip chart
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In a Gilt Cage
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Beginning Silk and Metal
CLASS LENGTH: 2 days
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
The transparent wings of a dragonfly are captured in the stitches of silk and
the glow of metal threads. Or Nué, an ancient technique going back to the
12th and 13th centuries in Flanders (what we think of as NW Europe) is able
to render subjects in a lively yet elegant manner, blending the vision of the
object with the gold.
Or Nué is an exacting couching technique and the students will learn methods
that will help to control their work and produce beautiful results.
The design is suitable for a Sudbury box or tray.
SIZE: 4" circle on 10" X 12" silk foundation
KIT INCLUDES:
All materials necessary to complete the design including the working frame
and one set of koma.
MATERIALS THE STUDENT SHOULD BRING:
Metal cutting scissors, thimble, straight pins, devise for holding the frame
steady and flat, laying tool (tekobari recommended). Lamp and magnifier if
needed. The usual needlework tools including a cover for transporting the
work.
CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT: Floor easel with flip chart
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Jacobean Jewels ©
TECHNIQUE: Silk and Metal embroidery on fabric
LENGTH OF CLASS: 24 Hours (4 days)
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Intermediate
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
With elegant poetry and a glimmer from down glittering corridors of an age long past comes a
glimpse of life we can but dream. Can you imagine that the inspiration of this piece came from an apron? Giving new interpretation to designs of the sixteenth century and blending them with the silk
and metal of the twenty-first, we will create an exquisite floral on silk fabric.
For dimensional effects we will be using padding in layered felt or string under shaded couched Japanese gold
and various goldwork techniques. Pattern couching, goldwork, and filling stitches are also explored. Five different silks will be combined with Japanese golds, Jaceron, check purl, and crinkle in the
creation of this exquisite embroidery.
Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas in color and stitch interpretations.
SIZE: 10.5" X 8" design on 16" X 18" silk foundation
SPECIAL CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS: Flip Chart and Floor Ease.
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Metal Thread Embroidery, Experimental Technique
LENGTH OF CLASS: 24 Hours (4 days)
PROFICIENCY LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Reaching into the materials from the distant past and into those on the cutting edge of the next millennium we will
explore the many facets of metal thread embroidery. Our focus will be on ways of celebrating and interpreting nature, specifically trees, in relation to three dimensional metal embroidery. Each
glittering leaf will be an exquisite jewel individually suspended from a gilded branch over a gilded trunk. A brief time will be spent developing the background and some padding materials with
acrylic paint.
The students will develop their own designs from the research of trees and bark patterns. There will be discussion of the types, design implications, and uses of the many metal
threads, metals, and padding materials provided. The studentswill be encouraged to experiment with new ideas in working. Students will have a chance to create metal fabrics using metallics, metals,
and dissolvable sheeting. Stitch techniques include metal thread embroidery over padding, surface embroidery, and needle lace.
Some of the materials provided are metallic braid, purl purl, check
purl, Japanese golds, Torsade, wire in copper and gold color in several gauges, metal sculptural mesh, and copper and gold foils and sheeting. Padding materials explored: industrial felt, cord, and
paper roping.
Using a few simple tools provided by the teacher, we will construct metal composite threads and make purls and new adaptations of purls.
The students will be encouraged to
investigate their own ideas. Many choices are available to the student:
- Design development
- Working samples
- Evaluating metal threads and their applications
- Working their own original design on pre-stretched artist canvas
- Which threads and how much they need for their design
The student are encouraged to bring pertinent materials for home. They should also bring a sense of play and humor as we use some of the
oldest and newest materials available today to create exciting new interpretations.
COST: $112.00 includes the working frame.
SIZE: At the discretion of the student but limited to 14" x 18"
SPECIAL CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS: Flip chart, floor easel, draped area for painting canvas, water source.
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