Machine Embroidery Taster Sessions

The last 2 Wednesdays I have taught a Free Machine Embroidery Session at the New Directions Caversham centre. I forgot to take photos last week, but managed to do so this week.

We started off getting familiar with the machine working with the feed dogs down. (unfortunately the machines with darning feet are in for a service, so I had the scary experience of worrying about a class full of people working on machines with a bare needle!)

I started them at normal tensions just so they could get an idea and to be able to compare the feel of the top tension loosened.

I suggested doing loops and writing your name. Marianne soon moved on to drawing little houses! Even when she moved on to the other exercises she decided she likes the simple sketching feel of drawing onto calico.

It reminds me of the work of Cathy Cullis. There is the simplicity of line in a primitive sort of way. Marianne is talking of whole streets of houses! Sounds good!

Once the students became confident with the patterns they were doing on the calico, they moved onto enhancing printed fabric with stitch. Making patterns in and around the printed motifs.

This shows Tansy's practicing and then moving onto the printed fabric.

Here is a close up of the pattern Sally is drawing inside the ginko leaf.

If you are interested, there are still a few places left on the 15 week course which starts next Wednesday, 6/10/10. just contact New Directions - details on the sidebar at the right.