Stretching your Stitching

For those obsessive hand stitchers out there --- join in an exploration of our most common stitches, and some less common ways of using them, to achieve form, colour, tone and texture.
My aim is to help you to create your desired effect by introducing lots of options and alternatives, and by sharing some of my favourite tips and tricks. Then you can apply any of the techniques discussed to create your own original samples, or some based on observation of my work.

Lesson Plan

Requirement List

You’ll need all your usual ‘tools of the trade’ – scissors, pins, needles, etc.
Some plain backing fabric as a base for your work. Calico or cotton.
A selection of small fabric pieces to use in ‘collage’ – look for contrast and variety in colours; plain and patterned; different types of fabric, but mostly cottons. Include some transparent stuff, like organza, or chiffon. something synthetic.
A variety of the threads you like to use, and needles to suit your threads. I use mostly cotton perle no.8, which is a good weight for the work you’ll be doing in this class, as it’s heavy enough to show an effect. also bring finer threads for contrast.
Bring a good range of threads, in different colours,