201: Boro Knot Bag by Barbara Gilbert
The Japanese knot bag was traditionally worn with your kimono; the knot bag hung from your wrist. It is also known as a loop bag as the longer handle is looped through the short handle and pulled into a knot to keep the contents tucked inside. This bag can be made in many sizes and is adjustable to your needs. Boro is the “visible mending” seen on old and tattered clothing of the rural Japanese people. The patches were darned onto the thin cotton or hemp clothing using the uneven running sashiko stitch and sashiko thread.
Your boro patches of yarn-dyed Japanese cottons will be stitched onto a cotton base with sashiko thread, using sashiko stitch and designs. You will have a colour choice for the patches. The bag will be lined to make it reversible. There are three bag shapes to choose from. The construction of each bag will be demonstrated.
Technique: Boro – Sashiko stitches :: Skill Level: All Levels :: Pre-Work: None :: Size: 12” x 15” :: Kit Cost: $70
202: Calypso by Linda Lachance
This vibrant and happy intermediate canvaswork design is stitched on black canvas (with an option for white canvas), and starts out with a challenging Amadeus stitch in the centre. Bright colours are used for many variations of Jessica and crescent stitches, Fleur de Lis, square herringbone, braided cross, and others, offset against borders of black and white scotch stitch. When complete the design is embellished with crystals and beads for a final touch of bling. Stitchers will use overdyed floss, Kreinik braids, and pearl cotton.
Technique: Canvaswork :: Skill Level: Intermediate :: Pre-Work: None Size: 12” x 12” :: Kit Cost: $180
203: Dendrites, Couronnes and Stitch by Janet Scruggs
Create these fascinating dendrite images using fabric paint and glass, printing on both cotton and Lutradur (a manmade fibre). Also, learn to make and use painted couronnes to emphasize the focal point in your prints. Surface embroidery is used to complete your artwork. Your design will be your own unique creation, taking into account our discussion of design principles and colour theory. This class is open to all levels.
Technique: Dendrites, Couronnes and Stitch :: Skill Level: All Levels :: Pre-Work: None :: Size: 8” x 8” :: Kit Cost: $40
204: Or Nué Baubles by Natalie Dupuis
In this intermediate level goldwork course, students will learn all about Or Nué goldwork embroidery. We will first look at how Or Nué developed from the dawn of the renaissance and its evolution to the 21st century. We will then transfer the design, colour on the fabric, and begin couching in perfectly straight lines and tightly turned corners. We will also explore shading, light play, and adding in optional geometric pattern couching. Students will work on crisp white linen with silver-plated passing thread. Colours are provided but students may bring their own colours should they wish to use a different palette.
Technique: Goldwork :: Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate :: Pre-Work: None :: Size: 11 cm x 7 cm :: Kit Cost: $105
205: Pax by Kathryn Drummond
Pax (the Latin word for “peace”) was inspired by a trip to the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. In this class, students will learn the Holbein stitch, four-sided stitch, bullion knots, whipped backstitch, long woven picots, continuous wrapping, and raised stem stitch to create an elegant dimensional peacock. Students should have an intermediate level of embroidery experience, be comfortable working on 28-count linen, and following stitch diagrams. Kreinik braid, DMC floss and perle cotton, delica beads and real feathers will be used to bring your peacocks to life.
Technique: Blackwork and Casalguidi Embroidery :: Skill Level: Intermediate :: Pre-Work: None :: Size: 5 1/2” by 8 1/2” :: Kit Cost: $75
206: Prairie Crocus by Alison Cole FULL
In this stumpwork workshop, students will learn the secrets to perfecting their long and short stitch so that both sides will be alike. Wrapped wires are used to create the foliage and stems. Crystal organza and quartz crystal create the snow. The fully three-dimensional embroidery sits under a glass dome which is included in the kit.
Technique: Stumpwork :: Skill Level: All Levels :: Pre-Work: Homework after Day 1 of stitching :: Size: 6 cm x 65 cm not including dome or base :: Kit Cost: $95
207: Family by Kim Beamish CANCELLED
208: Winterthur Birds by Kate Barlow FULL
This design is inspired by an embroidered pot holder or tea kettle holder held in the collection at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, US. The original is made of a plain woven linen fabric; the front has been stitched with pretty flowers and birds in crewel work and is inscribed with the date 1768 and the initials NW.
During the class, students will cover 8 different crewelwork stitches, including stem, heavy chain and French knots, all worked on a linen fabric in Appletons crewel wools in lovely shades of green and terracotta. Each stitch is used in several areas, so there is plenty of opportunity to perfect your technique as you create your own interpretation of the original design. Students could even add their own initials and date. The kit comes with everything needed, including full skeins of each colour and a comprehensive instruction booklet.
Technique: Crewelwork :: Skill Level: All Levels :: Pre-Work: None :: Size: 7 1/2” x 5” :: Kit Cost: $77
209: Zimlanki by Mike Parr
This 2-day course in stumpwork techniques was inspired by the magical folk art of the Slavic Khokhloma tradition. Mainly used on wooden objects, I have now interpreted in threads the simple but stunning elements of this ancient art form. Techniques will include needlelace over felt padding, wired and detached slips, and various surface embroidery stitches. The threads and fibres used are DMC floss, metallics, glass beads and wool felt.
Technique: Stumpwork :: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced :: Pre-Work: No but some homework required :: Size: 6 1/2” x 3 1/4” :: Kit Cost: $65
