York Textile Arts Workshops



Why not join one of our exciting workshops, and enjoy the company of others, whilst learning a new skill. We hope to encourage people who have always wanted to learn a new craft, but have not known where to start, as well as teaching those who have done a little, and wish to progress further.




Our workshops are held in a light and airy first floor studio, in a Victorian house, close to York city centre. York is easily accessible by road or rail, and we are within walking distance from the bus and train station.
For those who require accommodation, we can also supply a list of hotels and guesthouses, which are within easy walking distance from our studio.
We feel that it is particularly important that students have as much space and individual tuition as possible, and we therefore purposely restrict our numbers to a maximum of five students, on our machine embroidery and felt making workshops.

The price of each workshop includes tuition, materials (unless otherwise stated), and tea, coffee, biscuits and soft drinks throughout the day. The workshops run from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m., with a one hour lunch break.
We are able to offer "one to one", or smaller group tuition, and details and prices can be supplied on request. Gift vouchers for any of our workshops are also available.




FREEHAND MACHINE EMBROIDERY


Learning to use a sewing machine, for freehand machine embroidery, is entirely a matter of confidence and practise, but once mastered, it will open up a completely new range of stitching possibilities. You will be able to decorate and experiment with a diverse range of exciting techniques, which include textured and embellished surfaces, trapped and bonded threads, cut and bond appliqué - the list is endless!


FELT MAKING


Making felt is a magical experience. It is an amazingly quick and easy way to create beautiful, tactile cloth from wool fibres. Once the basic method for hand rolled felt has been mastered, you will be truly amazed at the scope it offers, to produce uniquely textured fabrics.




COURSE TUTORS


The machine embroidery tutors are Deborah Wood-Saanaoui and Amanda Lee. Deborah is a freelance embroiderer and textile artist. Her qualifications include a BA (Hons.) in embroidery and textile design, awarded by Leeds University, and a Post-Graduate and MA in embroidery and fabric manipulation, awarded by Winchester School of Art. She is currently designing and embroidering for a top London bridal company, who has won various national bridal awards. Her teaching experience is at secondary, further and higher education level, where she has taught various aspects of embroidery and textile design.
Amanda completed a BA (Hons.) in embroidery at Loughborough College of Art. She has exhibited her work widely, and is now running her own business, selling her unique collection of cards, framed originals, silk bags, cushions and embroidered boxes at various outlets throughout the country.

The felt making tutor is Elizabeth Holmes, who is an experienced felt maker, and a member of the International Feltmakers Association. Her qualifications include a BA (Hons.) in Creative Textile Crafts, awarded by Huddersfield University. She exhibits her work nationwide, and has run workshops in a variety of settings, including Universities and Galleries.




We give below details of the workshops that are included in our current programme - please contact us for dates. We are regularly updating our workshops, and plan to introduce additional craft courses in the near future.



Machine Embroidery and Textile Workshops


WORKSHOPS


INTRODUCTION MACHINE EMBROIDERY

A beginners workshop, for those who would like to learn the various techniques of machine embroidery. Students will experiment with a variety of threads, fabrics and stitches and, at the end of the workshop, will have compiled a collection of samples, and have gained the confidence to continue exploring the creative possibilities of machine embroidery.
Cost of workshop - £38.50 inclusive of materials.



"BUTTONS AND BROOCHES"

A combined workshop, in which you will produce buttons and brooches, in an assortment of designs. These are taken from many sources, including flowers, hearts, stars as well as simple structures and shapes, such as concentric circles and stripes. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £41.50 inclusive of materials.



SOLUBLE FABRIC SAMPLES

A day of pure experimentation, using a sewing machine and soluble fabric, to create intricate open structures, which are decorated with beading, trapped threads and snippets of unusual fabric. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £40.00 inclusive of materials.



"WIND THE BOBBIN UP".

Using a variety of fine wools, cording and a colourful array of embroidery threads, which are hand wound on to the bobbin, create a wonderful textured surface in stitch, inspired by designs by William Morris. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £39.50 inclusive of materials.



CUT AND BOND APPLIQUE

A mixed media workshop, combining bondaweb, paper, fabric and freehand machine embroidery, to create a series of richly textured mini collages, on a heart/flower based theme. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £41.50 inclusive of materials.





FIBRE FUSIONS

An experimental workshop, using bondaweb, sheer fabric, mixed media, and a sewing machine. By sandwiching together a rich selection of materials, which may include threads, petals, glitter, and tiny fragments of fabric, you can create a selection of decorative samples, which will be further embellished by machine embroidery. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £41.50 inclusive of materials.



DECORATIVE EVENING BAG

Produce a luxurious, silk taffata evening bag, using applique and machine embroidery. The design combines hearts, circles, and silk stripes in rich colours, positioned on a silk taffata background, which will then be further embellished with freehand machine embroidery, to create an interesting jewel-like effect. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £42.00 inclusive of materials.



EMBROIDERED CARDS

A hand-made card is much nicer than a bought one! Have fun, producing contemporary, one-off cards, using a variety of seasonal themes, which everyone will treasure. A basic knowledge of freehand machine embroidery is essential.
Cost of workshop - £41.50 inclusive of materials.





We have Bernina sewing machines on site, but students are welcome to bring along their own machine, if they would prefer to do so.
All materials are provided at each workshop, but it would be helpful if students could bring along a basic sewing kit, to include scissors, pins, tape-measure, and spare sewing machine needles.





FELT MAKING WORKSHOPS






FELT MAKING FOR BEGINNERS

An opportunity for absolute beginners to explore the magic of hand rolled felt, whilst learning the basic methods employed to produce this beautiful, tactile fabric. At the end of the workshop, a number of felted samples will have been produced, some of which will incorporate patterns.
Cost of workshop - £41.00 inclusive of materials.




NUNO FELT MAKING - CRINKLY AND WRINKLY

An ideal opportunity for students to create unusual ruched fabrics, by combining feltmaking with other materials. This workshop has been tailored to meet the needs of both the enthusiastic beginner, and also felt makers, with some experience, who may wish to enhance their skills in this technique. A beautiful scarf will have been produced, at the end of this workshop. A basic knowledge of felt making would be preferable.
Cost of workshop - £41.50 inclusive of materials.





RESIST FELT MAKING - POCKETS AND POUCHES

This workshop offers the opportunity for students to continue developing their skills in felt making, by adding a new dimension to the basic method. Using resist felting, a range of intriguing felted samples will be created, featuring concealed pockets and pouches. A basic knowledge of felt making would be preferable.
Cost of workshops - £41.50 inclusive of materials.




SILK PAPER

Imagine making something as ordinary as paper out of something as extra-ordinary as silk, by a simple process, which requires no special tools or equipment. On this workshop, you will have the opportunity to use a variety of real silk fibres, creating a selection of beautiful silk papers, each one, a work of art in itself, which will then be moulded into a bowl or vessel.
Cost of workshop - £42.00 inclusive of materials.





AN INLAID AND EMBROIDERED FELT BAG

Produce a unique, hand felted bag, rich in texture and pattern. You will spend your day learning how to create a simple, pouch-type bag, decorated with inlaid motifs, such as stars, hearts and flowers. These will then be further embellished with either machine or hand stitching. A basic knowledge of felt making would be preferable.
Cost of workshop - £42.00 inclusive of materials.





All the necessary equipment and materials are provided at the felt making workshops. It would, however, be helpful if students could provide their own rubber gloves, an old towel, an apron, and a plastic carrier bag.
If you would like to have further information on any of the above-mentioned workshops, please contact us, and we shall be happy to discuss them with you.

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