Contemporary Embroidery & Stitch Art (TE109 Spring)

Develop your technical skills of using embroidery to create stitch art in a contemporary way. Explore your thinking of textiles and embroidery and gain skills through embroidery techniques, textile materials and a variety of subject matter.

This course will introduce students to the art of contemporary embroidery. Learn to draw with a sewing needle, play with fabrics, be creative with colour, and experiment with threads and trimmings. This course will encourage you to explore creativity through embroidery and mixed media and discover your own style with confidence.

This is a structured course in contemporary embroidery and stitch art that will guide you step by step in using a range of embroidery and textile materials such as threads, yarns, sewing needles, fabrics, felt, fusible web, interfacing, embroidery hoops, trimming, embellishments, and papers. You will gain skills in hand embroidery, embroidery stitches, applique, reverse applique, transfer methods, collage, stencils, and screen printing, as well as many other skills.

Use these elements to bring different themes and ideas to life, and work with a variety of intriguing subject matter, such as nature, compositional scenes, portraiture, or abstract images.

Each week the tutor will set a specific project. She will demonstrate techniques which will be supported with examples to give you ideas and inspiration. Students will undertake practical exercises to learn and apply the technique themselves with individual guidance and support from the tutor.

Each lesson is a continuation from the previous one. Step by step, you will build skills and techniques which can be used to create contemporary pieces of embroidered stitch art.

On completing this course, you can expect to have a range of samples which will be organised into a handmade sample book in addition to finished art pieces which demonstrate your understanding of embroidery, textile materials, and technical skills.

This is a relaxed, calming course which allows you to explore techniques and skills which will give you the confidence to develop even further.