WORKSHOPS - SUMMER SCHOOL 2015
see also our website www.livingthreadstextileartists.com
We are pleased to offer the following courses at the Risley Village Hall [map available].
The courses are usually suitable for beginners and those with experience, unless specifically stated.
Courses marked with a * require a sewing or embellishing machine [sometimes optional]
Saturday 25th July 2015
a 1 Pastimes Clutch Bag*
Construct a simple clutch bag approx. 6 x 8 inches, & decorate with vintage images, lace, buttons, etc.
Further embellish with hand embroidery. Choose a ribbon loop/button fastening or a small magnetic clasp.
I used a plale floral curtain sample that worked well as my base fabric, then lined with calico.
This would make a beautiful & useful gift for someone special. Needs a sewing machine.
Tutor: Janet Humphrey
b 2 Softly Bound*
So, what do you do with all those left-over samples, pieces of painted/sprayed papers, paint encrusted paper
towels/wet wipes... make a mixed media fabric soft bound book of course! No tricky binding in this one – just fun
& a beautiful, colourful, tactile book to treasure.
No experience needed, just an ability to enjoy playing with mixed media.
Tutor: Viv Denscombe
Sunday 26th July 2015
a 3 Treasured Splinters
These are fabric stripped wall hangings inspired by landscapes. "Treasured Splinters" is a fabric layered wall hanging
to represent cliff strata with embellishments to show water & falling rocks. It is based on my recent visit to Robin
Hoods Bay. You can do any size you like - based on a pikki/photo you may have of landscapes [not necessarily
cliffs etc] or just use mine as inspiration.The colour scheme can be your reference pic, or any colours you like using.
I used a collection of cotton scraps, organza, sequins & beads [all left over from other projects].
Tutor: Viv Denscombe
b 4 Super Strides - Day One of 2 Day Course*
Make trousers to fit you. By popular demand. This is a repeat course.
We will pattern draft, toile & manufacture a pair of trousers to fit your individual requirements.
Style variations a possibility. See also 6 below.
Tutor: Linda Lloyd Willis
Monday 27th July 2015
a 5 Designer Books
Make your own small books from scratch & use pieces of embroidery, dyed or treasured fabric for the cover. With
several choices of stitch/construction you will be able to complete a book in the day. Cards & papers, also some
fabrics & card for covers will be available, so no need for lots of equipment preparation & buying. You can add a
cord & beads for additional techniques & effects. Useful as special presents, if you can bear to part, or for keeping
treasures.
Tutor:Pauline Barke
b 6 Super Strides - Day Two of 2 Day Course*
See 4 above
Tutor: Linda Lloyd Willis
Tuesday 28th July 2015
a 7 Under the Crystal Sea
The technique for this project is hand stitched shadow applique. First build up a design of tropical fish on the
background fabric with bonded applique. A sheer fabric softens the look of the applique & hand embroidery enhances
the surface. Small pockets can be made & filled with beads & other treasures. A final flourish of beads & sequins on
the surface adds sparkle. You will make a 15 inch panel suitable for a cushion.
Tutor: Greta Fitchett
b 8 Initially.............
Choose a letter from the alphabet to make an initial from a scrap of gold fabric, sew to a circular background &
surround with beads. You will have a personalised medallion which can be used for a greetings card or mounted
on a small square panel from your fabric collection. You may be able to make more than one on the day.
No sewing machine required.
Tutor: Coralie Arlen
Wednesday 29th July 2015
a 9 Summer Fantasy*
Stitch a riot of colour using free machine embroidery themed on a Summer garden. Loosely inspired by the artist Klimt,
lay down a background of torn muslins, glitzy fabrics, sheers & lace, then add pattern details with your machine. A
good way to use up fabric scraps from your stash. Your sewing machine is required.
Tutor: Janet Humphrey
b 10 Out of Africa
African masks, sculptures, textiles & research books will be provided as resource materials for a day to experiment
with different materials & techniques suitable for African design. We will be using, inks, paints, bleach, tissue
papers & acrylic paint amongst many other things. We will produce at least experiments on pieces of material that
could be used as samples of small pieces of art work.
This work could become cards or small framed finished pieces.
Tutor: Jo Beattie
Thursday 30th July 2015
a 11 Reflections and Distortions*
Inspired by distorted reflections in glass curtain wall buildings in major cities. This is an exprimental approach using
free cut patchwork to create small blocks, using a rotary cutter, forming curved seams that are constructed by
machine. Detail is added with bonded applique. A narrow grid joins the blocks into a window panel before finishing
with machine quilting. You will make a 12 inch/31cm piece. Sewing machine required.
Tutor: Greta Fitchett
Saturday 1st August 2015
a 12 Imari Hare
Paint, then hand stitch a little Hare based on the Imari colour palette inspired by a Royal Crown Derby paperweight.
After cutting out & padding, reapply him to a background of your choice.
Tutor: Janet Humphrey
b 13 To be arranged
Sunday 2nd August 2015
a 14 Stained Glass Mackintosh Roses*
This beautiful panel showing Mackintosh-style roses in jewel colours is really simple & straightforward to make, using
fusible bias tape. Cottons & even scraps of silk for the flowers create a gorgeous stained glass effect. Can also be
done as a 16 inch cushion cover. Machine stitching & a chance to use a twin needle for part of it, if you like.
Suitable for all abilities. You will need your sewing machine.
Tutor: Gilli Theokritoff
b 15 To be arranged
Monday 3rd August 2015
a 16 Washday Blues*
Make a small mosaic picture quilt using scraps of fabric bonded to create a background as seen in my mosaic quilts
Karma & David. Then stitch some applique on top to create a washing line of litte garments, or other shapes, Easy,
fun & suitable for everyone. Looks great framed or mounted on a canvas. You need your sewing machine.
Tutor: Gilli Theokritoff
b 17 Beautiful Roses
Create sophisticated & scrumptious hand painted silk roses. Use your favourite rose to reproduce or create a
truly wacky specimen. The choice is yours.
Tutor: Linda Lloyd Willis
Tuesday 4th August 2015
a 18 Bags of Love*
Create delicate & delightful silk bags from luxurious silk fibres, lace & floral elements. Encrust with hand or machine
stitch & beading & add a clasp of your own choice. Perfect for that special Summer wedding, a special gift or diary
date. Materials cost approx £10 plus clasp. NB This requires the use of your own sewing machine.
Tutor: Jane Marrows
b 19 Beaded Butterflies
Symbol of Sunshine & Summer, colourful & eye catching, they will bring pizzaz to your summer jewellery, or use to
embellish your embroideries. Choose your style & shape & colour scheme of course.
Marita will have her usual materials for sale.
Tutor: Marita Page
Wednesday 5th August 2015
a 20 Bobbin' Along*
Layer, bond, stitch & embellish papers, sheer fabrics. lace & found images to form textile narratives & new textures.
Include elements of your favourite texts, a poem or lines from a much-loved song. Add machine & hand stitch.
Wrap around a spool or bobbin to create a unique display. Card bobbins can be made on the day or bring your own
wooden one. Materials cost £10 approx. NB this class requires the uses of your own sewing machine.
Tutor: Jane Marrows
b 21 Another Type of Canvas
Canvaswork as you possibly do not know it! With fine paper or plastic canvas, even perforated pelmet vilene, make
small panels/cards using a variety of fine threads, silk, stranded, perle. A chance to use up special hoarded small
amounts of threads & to show off your stitches You can frame up small pieces to make super presents.
I have plenty of source material so no need to pre purchase large amounts of backgrounds, threads etc.
Tutor: Pauline Barke
Friday 7th August 2015
a 22 New Horizons*
This class is an opportunity to create unique vistas & landscapes, using wet-felting techniques. Experiment with
colour to reveal atmospheric perspectives. Combine natural & synthetic fibres with sheer fabrics. Add localised
texture with surface stitch & beading. You may wish to bring a landscape image of your choice for reference.
Materials Costs £10 approx. NB Use of your own sewing machine is optional.
Tutor: Jane Marrows
b 23 Sintilating Sinamay
Delightful corsages made using Sinamay. We will hand roll, paint & embelish. A great opportunity to create a
unique & refreshing accessory. Make it to match your wardrobe!
Tutor: Linda Lloyd Willis
Saturday 8th August 2015
a 24 Hairpin Lace on the Knitting Machine
Hairpin lace is an interesting technique. Traditionally strips are made on a Hairpin Lace loom. The strips are then
joined together by various methods. By using the knitting machine we can knit a very good imitation of the Hairpin
strips. Then we can play around with various methods of joining the strips to make lovely fabric culminating in a cowl
neck or scarf & lots of samples. Any kniting machine can be used - from fine guage to chunky manual patterning,
punchcard or electronic. Whichever you have, bring it along & we will have a fun day.
Tutor Hazel Green
b 25 Paisley in Needle Lace
Paisley, teardrop or tadpole - this shape has been recognised & used through the centuries. It is a simple curved
shape that lends itself to Needle Lace. It can be worked in different thicknesses of thread, embellished with beads,
picots & scallops. Use 8 Perle thread & simple stitches or use 12 Perle or finer thread & more advanced stitches.
If you have another project in mind, please bring that along.
Tutor: Joan Pilkington
Sunday 9th August 2015
a 26 Melting Moments*
Spend the day focusing on free-machine embroidery using an array of soluble fabrics &/or bonding media. Bring your
stash of machine & hand threads, sheer fabrics & beads to create scintillating surfaces, edges & motifs.
A selection pack of soluble/bondable media will be available on the day for £8 approx.
NB This class requires the use of your own sewing machine.
Tutor: Jane Marrows
b 27 Golden Crowns
Further your knowledge of goldwork as you create a crown using metal threads & beads.
Beginners welcome. A kit of gold threads, beads & silk fabric will be available for £8.
Tutor: Susan Sheldon
Tuesday 11th August 2015
a 28 The Sky is the Limit!
Vincent Van Gogh’s famous skies, both day & night, are the inspiration for this machine-embellishing day.
Turn frayed fabrics, yarns, fibres & threads into rhythm & movement in textiles.
Materials Costs £10 approx. NB This class requires the use of your own embellishing machine.
Tutor: Jane Marrows
Tuesday 11th August 2015
b 29 Dyeing Delicates
A popular class from last Summer, I have been asked for another repeat day to dye small amounts of lace, silk &
ribbon using my preferred method...silk paints. I will bring a good range of neutral coloured lace guipures, ribbons etc.
for you to purchase on the day but please feeel free to bring along any of your own.
I will have a range of silk paints, 30 ml approx. cost £2.50 per pot.
Tutor: Janet Humphrey
Wednesday 12th August 2015
a 30 Summer Landscape*
Be inspired by an English landscape of patchwork fields in a rolling landscape; We will make a small wall hanging
measuring 15 inches/40 cm square. After constructing the patchwork, the piece is machine quilted to add scale,
texture & perspective. Your sewing machine is required.
Tutor: Greta Fitchett
b 31 Quillow in a Day*
Not just a quilt, not just a pillow, but two in one. The pillow is attached to the quilt, which when folded. forms the
stuffing for the pillow. Decorative as a pillow & really comfortable as a quilt, use it on the bed, carry it in the car, or
wherever you choose. You will need your sewing machine.
Tutor: Marita Page
Friday 14th August 2015
a 32 Magic with Meshes
A gentle day, embellish by hand, existing found & collected meshes & open mesh/fabrics/braids with contrasting
colourful/contrasting/exciting weaving in ribbons/braid/yarns/cords etc. Use up precious collected materials in a
cost conscious & environmentally friendly use of recycled materials. A list of suitable meshes will be supplied, I have
lots, you will be surprised to have some of them! Use results for cards/panels/etc. Plenty of source material available.
Tutor: Pauline Barke
b 33 Mardi Gras Diamond Bracelet
Create this gorgeous bracelet with the stunning tiny drops & crystals.
This is an eye catching jewellery piece to add to your collection. Kits £12 - £15 according to bead finishes.
Tutor: Patty McCourt
Saturday 15th August 2015
a 34 Victorian Postcard
Using a blank vintage postcard pre-printed on to fabric [I will supply] as a starting point, embellish with more images of
birds, butterflies, flowers etc. then using delicate hand embroidery add texture with French knots, seeding, stem stitch
& shading. Small cost approx. £1.00 for printed postcard.
Tutor: Janet Humphrey
b 35 To be arranged
Sunday 16th August 2015
a 36 Mountmellick
Mountmellick white embroidery originated in Ireland about 1830. Matt white threads are worked on white fabirc & the
designs are usually floral. Enjoy a day learning about this form of Whitework.
A kit of threads and fabric will be available for £8.
Tutor: Susan Sheldon
b 37 Summertime Necklace
Take this opportunity to create this beautiful & stylish necklace under the expert tuition of Patty. You will be shown
how to make the double sided pendant using mini-daggers plus a different way of bezeling rivolis.
Kits £12 - £15 according to bead finishes.
Tutor: Patty McCourt
A diary date:
OPEN DAY - Saturday 9th May 2015 at the Risley Village Memorial Hall [Sat Nav DE72 3SU]
The members of the Group are offering for sale
Textiles & Finished Work, Materials, Fabrics, Cards, Books, Tools etc. at Very Reasonable Prices
Do come and browse, refreshments will be available, free entrance & parking
Please send £25 fee for each day course booking and a stamped addressed envelope for further details of the
course & the materials required.
It is not necessary to have one SAE per course unless multi bookings make the envelope too thick to go through
GPO regulations! .
Cheques should be made out to “The Living Threads Group” and ONE cheque per course. [If possible].
THIS IS HELPFUL FOR ADMINISTRATION! Cheques are sent to the Treasurer at the end of each programme.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE TAKING POSTAL BOOKINGS ONLY [enquiries can be made through e-mails & places
reserved for 7 days - until the paperwork is received].
Bookings cancelled less than 2 weeks from the date of the course cannot be refunded & any cancellations
prior to this will retain 25% as a booking fee. Places will only be confirmed on receipt of payment, when lists of
materials will be sent. Should we have to cancel you will receive a full refund.
All courses assemble at 9.45 am, start at 10.00 am, and finish at 4.00 p.m.
There will be opportunity to see the work of the alternative course at the end of/during the day.
All tutors are experienced and members of the Living Threads Group.
We hope you will find the above courses tempting as usual and look forward to another enjoyable time together.
New students when booking please ask for a map of directions if necessary.
For those with Sat Nav = DE72 3SU
More improvements have been made to the Risley Village Hall which have enriched our enjoyment of our
courses. Plenty of parking & on a bus route Nottingham to Derby.
Do not delay booking for this programme to avoid disappointments
you can check vacancies by email first if you wish.
Bookings will be held for 7 days, pending the paperwork.
PLEASE SEND REQUESTS FOR PLACES TO:
Pauline Barke
57 Rushy Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham NG10 5NN
Telephone 0115 939 7112
but better e-mail at … [email protected]
Please return the following slip with your bookings:
THE LIVING THREADS GROUP WORKSHOPS SUMMER 2015
1 Course Title & Number ………………………………………………................. Date…………………
2 Course Title & Number………………………….……………………. ................Date…………………
3 Course Title & Number……………………………………………….................. Date…………………
4 Course Title & Number ………………………………………………................. Date…………………
5 Course Title & Number………………………………………………….............. Date…………………
6 Course Title & Number………………………………………………… .............Date.........................
Individual cheques please for courses
Amount………………………..
Name……………………………………………………
Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Telephone No……………………………….
email…………………………………………………...
If you are booking for another person too, please give details below:
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