Workshop Plan For Hand Embroidery and Appliqué

12 Pages·2009·2.57 MB·English

Workshop Plan
For Hand Embroidery and Appliqué

Key Inspiration: William Morris Trellis Designs
The Stitch phase of River & Cloth will take one of William Morris’ earliest wall-paper designs
as it starting point: The Trellis. Please see the Fact Sheet William Morris and The Trellis
Design for more background information on this design.

The aim of this workshop is to create a fun, modern and innovative interpretation of trellis,
as well as incorporating some of the tapestries, embroideries and other designs created by
Morris during his tenure at Merton Abbey. We will look at closely at Morris’ trellis design and
the textiles from around the world that inspired so much of his work, such as carpets from
Persia and embroideries from Turkey. In these designs all the individual elements are woven
together in intricate patterns that create and make up one larger elaborate colourful design.

Preparation for Workshop
Prior to the workshop, participants will be asked to:

3 Look at nature locally, research native flowers growing wild and those
cultivated/growing in gardens. Explore what plants and flowers grow along the River
Wandle – William Morris would have walked along there once looking for inspiration.
3 Research birds and insects living in the area; collect and cut out
pictures for ideas.
3 Collect the fallen autumnal leaves and keep for the workshop
3 Write down the names of plants, flowers, leaves, birds and insects
you have researched and see if you can spot them in any William Morris designs.

Health & Safety
Some of the activities will require the use of a warm iron. Teachers and teaching assistants
will be required to carry out this task on behalf of children aged 12 and under. Children aged
12 and over, should be closely supervised carrying out this activity.

Resources & Materials
Each teacher will receive a box of materials and equipment including backing fabric, printed
fabrics, embroidery threads/yarn, trimmings and other equipment. The artist will also make
available a number of design templates for participants to use and copy. Please see the
Materials For Workshops Fact Sheet for a full list of equipment and suppliers.
Outline of Workshop Activity

We will create a three dimensional garden trellis of flowers, leaves, insects and birds using a
range of fabrics and applying some simple embroidery and appliqué techniques. River &
Cloth will provide a purpose built wooden trellis measuring 1 metre x 2 metres and made up
of 32 squares.

Each participant will be given a 25 cm square of Aida or Binca backing fabric to work on and
be provided with a selection of threads and fabrics to work with. Each person will design
and embroider an individual square; this will then be attached to the trellis and form part of a
larger pattern. The squares can be embroidered and embellished using a combination of
different techniques employing varying levels of skill and detail according to age and ability.

The activities devised for this project are achievable in 2 or 3hrs.

Activities and techniques learned:
# Drawing and transferring designs, using and making templates
# Hand embroidery directly onto the Aida or Binca backing fabric
# Appliqué, using hand stitches and fusible bonding for older children and adults
# Cut out and stitching 3d elements to add on

The design for the stems of the trellis pattern will be already marked out on each square,
half right to left, and half left to right. As they are mirror images, the participants can work in
pairs.

The completed trellis will be a colourful and modern interpretation of the embroideries and
tapestries that Morris made and wove while at Merton Abbey Mills. Such as The Forest and
Woodpecker. At the end of the workshop, each individual square of design fabric will be
mounted into the squares of the trellis. The 3D trellis created by each group will be
exhibition at the River & Cloth workshop in September 2010.
2

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 1: Sewing on the stems

Skills Learned: # Basic embroidery stitches
# Appliqué technique.

Each Binca square will be marked with the outline of the stem. See the descriptions and methods of
embroidery stitches on pages 11-12.

a. Binca backing fabric can be embroidered
simply with one row of Running Stitch using
wool or yarn made from recycled t-shirt fabric
or carrier bags.

6 Count Binca is a suitable backing fabric for
children aged between 5 and 9 years. 14
Count Aida backing fabric can be used for
older children and adults.

3

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 1 continued:

Appliqué Technique for the stems

This activity will give participants an understanding and practice of appliqué, which literally
means to ‘put on’. Participants will learn how to put one layer of fabric over another layer of
fabric and sew into place and add details with different stitches.

a. Cut out a 2 cm x 30 cm strip of t-shirt fabric. Non-stretchy fabrics strips need to be cut on
the bias – as above. The artist will supply some already cut.

b. Pin to the stem line and stitch with a Running Stitch – as
shown in the image on the left.

c. Or for a more finished edge stitch with Blanket Stitch –
as shown on the image left.

4

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 2: Appliqué techniques for Birds

Skills Learned: # Drawing and transferring designs, using and making templates
# Appliqué using bonda-web

Drawing around the templates
The bird design in this image is taken from William Morris' famous design, The Strawberry
Thief. The artist will bring a selection of templates of other birds, animals, flowers and
insects for participants to choose from.

a. Draw round the design with a pencil

b. Cut out and pin in place on to the backing fabric

c. Stitch on and add details such as eyes and wing

5

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 2 continued: Appliqué using Bondaweb
Bondaweb is a tracing paper with a web of glue on the back that sticks two layers of fabric
together with the use of a hot iron*. It is a quick and easy appliqué technique and it keeps
the fabric securely in place for when participants sew around the edge. Participants can
draw a design freehand, use a template or trace a design directly on to the Bondaweb.

*Please note that the lead artist, teachers/teaching assistants or project volunteers will carry out the
ironing part of this activity on behalf of children aged 12 and under.

a. Trace or draw your design with a pencil onto the smoother paper
side of the Bondaweb. The glue side feels rougher. Cut out
roughly leaving a border. Cut the piece of fabric you want to
attach just a bit bigger.

b. Place Bondaweb glue side down on wrong side of fabric and iron
on.

c. Cut out the design neatly and peel off the backing paper.

d. Lay the design onto the backing fabric right side up and press
over again for a minute or so with a hot iron.

e. It is now firmly in place and ready to sew on using blanket stitch,
whipping stitch or just running stitch (please see range of
embroidery stitches on pages: 11-12). Here I have used blanket
stitch and added a button for the eye of the bird.
6

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 3: Making templates for leaves

Skills learned: # Drawing/tracing around real leaves – there will be plenty on the
ground to collect during October and November!
# Drawing flowers, leaves, birds and insects freehand

Try the following ideas for designing templates:

a. Simple Template: Draw around a leaf onto the backing fabric lightly and
stitch over the line using embroidery stitches (See page 11-12 for
examples of embroidery stitches).

b. 3D effect cut out leaves: Cut squares of fabric and paper just bigger
than the leaf. Stick or pin together. Draw around the leaf and cut
out.

c. Stitch around the edge. Sew in the lines for the veins too. They will
curl up like real leaves. Place and tack onto the square.

d. Tracing Leaves: Alternatively, please the leaf under the paper and
trace with a thick soft crayon until you see the shape clearly. Then
pin or glue to the fabric and cut out.

7

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 4: Creating and embroidering flowers, birds and
insects

Skills Learned: # A number of stitches including Running Stitch and Blanket Stitch

a. Cut two 12cm squares of a thin lightweight fabric and
brown/recycled parcel paper and stick together with a few small
spots of glue stick. This is to stiffen the fabric so that it has a 3D
effect.

b. Fold the paper and fabric diagonally twice into a quarter-sized
triangle draw a curved line to form a petal.

c. Cut through all thicknesses and open up.

d. Make two shapes in different colours one bigger than the other
Sew the edges with running stitch or blanket stitch (see
embroidery activity on pages 11-12)

8

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 4 continued:

e. Cut out a circle of felt or other fabric to make the centre
Put them together and stitch through with a big button.

f. They can then be added to the backing fabric by tacking through
the centre, they can go over the edge of the backing fabric like
roses climbing a trellis.

Below are some further examples of fabric flowers. The artist will demonstrate these at the
workshops:

9

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009
Workshop Activity 4 Continued:

Examples for creating and embroidering birds and insects

a. Birds can be embroidered directly onto the fabric square using
appliqué techniques.

Cut outs can be added on. The artist will provide pictures to copy
and templates from William Morris designs to transfer.

b. The stem here has been appliquéd with t-shirt fabric and sewn
with running stitch and the outline of the leaf embroidered using
wool in couching stitch.

The bee was embroidered using black ‘perle’ thread and
backstitch. The artist will provide pictures and images for
participants to copy and transfer.

c. This bird was appliquéd using Bondaweb and sewn with
running stitch. The leaf was sewn in a stem stitch and the
cherries a combination of blanket and couching stitches.

d. This design is made out of recycled fabrics. The flower is cut
out of a boiled jumper with a motif cut from an old dress. The
stem is a strip of an old t-shirt couched with wool and the leaf
is also t-shirt fabric.

10

Stitch Workshop devised by Madeline Herbert, September 2009