River Birds 24th June

This workshop is suitable for all stitching abilities we will be using free motion embroidery and raw edged applique, a little dabble in free motion will help and there will be plenty to stretch more experienced stitchers.

We will be appliqueing fabrics onto a background fabric and using free motion stitching to create a watery background. You can then chose your bird: Heron, Grey wagtail or King fisher templates will be available.

On this course, you will spend a day in Marksbury village hall (a small village near Bath BA2 9HP) creating your own textile piece.

The workshop will run from 10.00am until 3.45pm, I have to vacate the hall at 4.00pm.

I have a library of design ideas, as well as lots of samples and embroideries.

Free motion embroidery is an exciting technique where you are able to 'draw' with the sewing machine by lowering the feed dogs and moving the fabric around under the needle. It is also known as freehand sewing and thread painting. This is a technique that I have really refined over the years and I use it in all my textile pieces. I have a lot of experience in free-motion embroidery and teaching, you will learn how to use the sewing machine to its full potential - you'll be amazed at the results!

What to bring - please read!

Please bring your sewing machine, embroidery foot, all other feet for your machine, sharp scissors for threads and medium sized for cutting fabrics, spare bobbins, spare machine needles (I like topstitch needles as they are easy to thread) extension table for your sewing machine if you have one. 

Your sewing machine needs to be able to lower the feed dogs to enable free-motion stitching, as well as a darning/embroidery foot for your machine.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you are welcome to rent one for £15; please select 'Rent a Sewing Machine' and the relevant date from the drop down menu.

I will bring some backing fabrics and some applique fabrics but please bring your own applique fabrics too.

Suitable fabrics are; patchwork and quilting fabrics, cotton, plain or printed, linen or wool fabrics.  Recycled homewares or clothing can also work, if you have any hand dyed or hand printed fabrics, these will be perfect. There is plenty of room in the hall if you want to bring lots of stuff.

Bring an assortment of machine sewing threads to stitch with, in watery colours and bird colours. I will bring some spares.

Below are items that are good to have but not essential.

Pritt stick and a frixion pen.

Bondaweb or Heat 'n' Bond or similar heat transfer paper. 

Mini travel iron and mat.

Embroidery hoops can be useful but not essential and are available to purchase on the day if you feel you want one.

*Also bring a packed lunch, I will supply snacks and drinks for the day, (there is a small Morrisons within a petrol station about half a mile away).

*There is nowhere very near to charge an Electric Vehicle. The petrol station charges £50 for a charge.

What previous participants say:

"I absolutely loved this course. Jo is a talented and imaginative artist. Her excellent tutoring meant that the instructions were clear and set at a good pace. She didn’t intrude but was always available to help. Would thoroughly recommend a course with Jo. "

"Friendly atmosphere, clear instruction and encouragement from Jo. I felt filled with confidence, and as a result, produced something I was surprised I was so pleased with!"