Textured Textiles

In this workshop you will explore a variety of methods of applique, print and stitch to create textures. Each technique is suitable for beginners and quite simple on their own but through combining them, your piece will develop into a sumptuous tactile piece of textile art that looks more complicated than it really is.  Depending on time, skill and taste, you can go big or small; stripped back or super busy. As my work is generally inspired by natural textures, I usually use these as inspiration for this workshop but can adapt to any theme or even just abstract and the end result will be relatively abstract whatever the initial inspiration.

Throughout my practice of making art and teaching workshops, sustainability is at the core, using recycled materials and waste. In this workshop, I will encourage you to do the same and hopefully give you some new ideas; saving money and the planet. I mainly use old clothing and household fabrics. I have found in some of my workshops that people feel nervous and naughty cutting up clothes but particularly in the era of fast fashion, old clothes is a cheap and plentiful resource.

In this workshop we will explore some or all of the following depending on whether it is a half day, full day or series of sessions:

• Choosing suitable fabrics
• Creating a design
• Breakdown printing
• Cutting & couching
• Suffolk puffs (yoyos)
• Doughnut puffs
• Destressing fabrics
• Fusing plastics
• Manipulating fabrics
• Embellishments
• Simple stitching
• Mounting up
• Exploring 3D shapes