Make a charming Christmas fabric illustration as a gift or to decorate your home with this Christmas. There are so many wonderful Christmas images to choose from so come along with a picture that you would like to turn into a textile illustration (Please be aware of copyright issues). Ideas could include reindeer, snowmen, presents or a snowy Christmas scene. Working on a small scale we will make a Christmas inspired piece of textile art. This is the ideal project for using up scarps of fabric that you have been hoarding! We will add the details and “drawn” parts of our pictures by machine or hand stitching. You can also embellish your pictures with sequins and metallic threads. End the day by mounting you piece of work.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

-An image (or several) to work from.

Bring sketches, pictures, old cards or photographs, of Christmas themed inspiration for example angels, geese, snowmen, stockings, figgy puddings or mince pies.

- Pencil/pen for marking paper

-Plain paper

-Tracing paper

-Paper scissors for cutting up your fusible webbing

Sewing requirements:

-Basic sewing kit

-Sewing machine (with instruction manual, please check the ability to drop the feed dogs and bring appropriate feet. All the stitching can be undertaken by machine or hand and this is entirely your personal preference).

-1/2 mtr fusible webbing for example ‘bondaweb’.

- Medium weight calico or similar light coloured fabric for backing your picture

- Selection of patterned and plain fabrics, (small – med patterns, although some larger patterns can work). Pick out colours that match the colour scheme in your image or photograph. These pieces of fabric can be small scraps. Christmas themed prints can work.

- A selection of embellishments, ribbons, sequins and buttons, you can add some sparkle if desired to your pictures with a selection of the above if you wish.

- Scissors, small embroidery scissors and a medium pair for cutting out larger pieces of fabric.

- Selection of machine and hand sewing threads in the colours of your chosen fabric. Consider harmonious and complimentary colours also.

- Tweezers, optional but highly recommended.

- Travel Iron and protective surface to use it on (a padded mat/tea towels work well). 

I have a supply of mounts square and rectangular in which to frame your piece of work at the end of the day for a cost of £1.50 per mount.