Workshops

Upcoming Workshops 2024

January brings a one day Winter Landscape workshop at the Biscuit Factory Gallery

In this workshop we will be making expressive textile landscapes using hand dyed fabrics. We will experiment with free motion embroidery to create compositions and add detail to our images.

All materials will be provided, but if you want to bring your own sewing machine you can – it must have a darning foot and a release button for the feed teeth. (But please let the gallery know that you will be bringing it along!)

Basic sewing machine knowledge would be useful but no previous experience of free motion embroidery is required.

I will also be running an introduction to Free Motion Embroidery from the end of January so if you want try this amazing machine stitch process follow the link and sign up soon! All my stitch workshops are for just 8 participants so you get lots of support from me during the session – previous participants have really enjoyed these workshops and often come back for more!

Past Workshops

In September, I’ll be teaching a half day workshop on hand dyeing fabrics with Procion – you’ll learn all about how I achieve those juicy bright colours and take home bags of soggy samples – bring rubber gloves!! Details coming soon to the Biscuit Factory website!

Summer will bring two workshops at the Biscuit Factory – A four week introduction to Free Motion Embroidery and a one day workshop to create a Summer landscape. Hop over to the Gallery website using the link above if you’d like to find out more!

You can sign up now for my Spring Landscape workshop at the Biscuit Factory Gallery We will be using my signature process of appliqué and free motion stitching to create colourful spring scenes. A similar workshop will take place in July to create a Summer Landscape

Come and learn about Free Motion Embroidery with me! For 6 weeks from February 6th 2023, I’ll be running a course on how to use a domestic sewing machine to embroider freestyle – the course will take place on Monday afternoons at the Biscuit Factory gallery here in Newcastle upon Tyne. We will use different threads and stitch surfaces and really explore what is possible with a little bravery and imagination! I will have samples and templates for you to use as inspiration for each session. All materials will be provided for the classes – you can choose to bring your own machine but it will need to be PAT tested – unless it is new (less than a year old!)

Sunday 29th January 2023

Winter Landscapes workshop at The Biscuit Factory– we will be using my signature process of appliqué and free motion stitching to create seasonal wintery landscapes. A similar workshop will take place in April to create a Spring Landscape

Sunday 27th November 2022

Christmas Mouse Needle Felting Workshop at The Biscuit Factory Gallery

Mice made by participants in this one day festive workshop

Peg Doll Fairies made by participants in the St Mary’s Heritage Centre (Gateshead) Christmas Tree Festival

I offer workshops to groups and individuals. Workshops cover particular themes such as the Tin Can Project, Grand Designs or Lettering in Textile Media.

Workshops can also explore textile processes – Getting Started with Needle Felting, Textile Dyeing & Printing, Freestyle Machine Embroidery, Using Mixed Media in textile art and more.

If you are interested in taking part in a workshop or would like to book a group event then please do contact me to discuss your ideas. Most workshops can be run as a day course but programmes can be adapted to meet your needs.

Sample Workshops:

Grand Designs A practical workshop developing a three dimensional small scale beach hut or garden shed

 

A Perfect Place – Miniature Scene A practical workshop to create a miniature textile art work showing a favourite place – real or imaginary!

This Land of Ours /Landscape to Dye for A practical workshop exploring how to capture landscape in fabric and stitch, participants will work from their own preparatory work – drawings/paintings/photos/magazine images to develop an appliqué image of a landscape/scenery that is special to them. This workshop can be adapted to take one or two days, longer workshops will incorporate a fabric dyeing session to create the colours for the landscape chosen.

The Wild Flower Project Create a textile artwork inspired by wild flowers, using free machine embroidery and applique to capture the beauty and tenacity of wild flowers in  urban or rural settings.

Materials will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies to personalise the project. Participants may need to bring equipment with them – such as sewing machines and sewing kit. Please get in touch to discuss what is required for your workshop.