Exploring White: Embroidered Monograms

Some of the most beautiful embroidery I have seen has been found on the lovely antique French sheets I have been buying for over twenty years. I also love working with shades of white and off-white. Restricting yourself to one colour forces you to explore different ways of manipulating thread to add texture and to use the ways in which light plays upon different types/shades of thread. For this workshop I am designing a stitch sampler on which we will practise some decorative stitches, including a quick refresher on the basic stitches before looking at some of the interesting, but very easy, stitches you can then use to decorate your chosen monogram. We will also look at combining fragments of antique lace and fabric with your embroidery. Then, using various examples/tracings/prints as sources and a lightbox we will transfer your chosen monogram (I will have examples in different styles, some of which will have been screen printed) onto antique linen and design the decorative embroidery around them, so that by the end of the day you will have learned some new stitches, designed a monogram or two and made a good start on the stitching of one so that you have everything you need to complete it at home. As always with my workshops, you will be given generous pieces of linen to work with, so you can use the monogram to make, perhaps, a book cover, or little cushion, Of course monogrammed items make wonderful presents - a ring cushion for a wedding, or to celebrate a birth: the possibilities are endless. This course is probably best for those who are not absolute beginners and who have an understanding of the basic stitches (stem/split/satin/French knots) as we will be learning new ones and practising particular techniques. However, if beginners download My Favourite Stitches cards at www.carolinezoob.co.uk and have a go at them before the course, then they will easily manage this workshop. More advanced stitchers will enjoy learning new techniques and using a more restricted palette to great effect. 

Student Requirements

Materials £5 payable on the day to Caroline

pencil

notebook 

Sharp embroidery scissors

Pack of size 8 crewel/embroidery needles