On Demand: Workshop: Fantasy Flower Embroidery with Ruth Parkinson-Johns

Join this online workshop Fantasy Flower Hand Embroidery and Creative Stitch with Ruth Parkinson-Johns.

In this workshop participants will explore the freestyle approach of hand embroidery and creative stitch by doodling a fantasy flower inspired piece of textile art. You will be guided to select a medium weight base cloth, which has a relatively open weave or felted, and therefore allow the chosen threads and needles to glide through the cloth easily.

Ruth enjoys working with gentle graduations and blends in calming colours in either hand-dyed or variegated thread and cloth, however this is your doodle so select colours which you enjoy seeing together or have a range available to choose from as the workshop progresses.

Ruth will guide you through the layering processes of techniques which she uses in her Art. Beginning with adding a splash of colour and texture in the background, preparing an applique flower shape, to be embellished with patterns and texture of embroidery stitches. Then, continue to work freestyle around the main focal point flower, adding your own stitched meanderings. This you may decide to continue with after the workshop has ended.

You will leave the workshop having had the opportunity to be guided through some of the layering techniques which Ruth uses in her textile art. Her approach is an intuitive one, allowing the mind and needle to wander across the cloth, making decisions on where to go next, as the stitched creation evolves. Hopefully a little bit of this relaxing process will benefit your sense of well-being and boost your confidence to work intuitively.

If you are using the Eventbrite app and the button to Reserve a Spot is unavailable, please click here.

The recording is not downloadable but will be available for viewing for at least one month after registration.

We are running a number of short workshops and demonstrations which are £2.99 for members and between £10 and £15 for non-members. As well as upcoming events, members can also access recordings of past workshops at a reduced price, to watch at their leisure.

Why not join us to access this discount and other membership discounts too?

You can find details on Guild Membership at https://embroiderersguild.com/membership/

The workshop will be in webinar format (i.e. student video and microphones will be turned off). You will be free to ask questions in the chat and will also have an opportunity to share images of your work on Instagram and Facebook.

If you are using the Eventbrite app and the button to Reserve a Spot is unavailable, please click here.

Your Tutor

Ruth Parkinson-Johns is a graduate from West Surrey College of Art and Design having specialised in Printed Textiles. On a very good day she can now be found ensconced in the Art Shed, a studio at the bottom of her garden, on the edge of the Cotswolds. Inky fingers are customary from spending time dipping cloth into dye, splattering, dragging paint or exploring how slight colour variations can alter the appearance of a screen or lino print. To add further decoration to the cloth, felt or paper, embellishments are added through hand or freehand machine embroidery, heating, fraying or deconstructing. All in all, whatever methods best achieve the desired effects and channel her passion for Colour and Texture.

Inspiration is drawn from the surrounding beautiful landscapes, local gardens, wild flowers and the unpredictability of the English weather. At times, an escape from a monochrome environment might be found by absorbing herself in a beautiful, vibrant jug of flowers or by looking back at photographs to capture memories of special times. She has a long standing interest established whilst living on the South Coast with the Seascape and the Beach.

Ruth has taught in various schools, colleges, community and recreational groups, offering accredited and recreational courses and workshops. She enjoys exhibiting and selling her Art but favours her time in studio most of all. Enjoying the serendipity of colouring cloth and losing herself in the rhythm of stitch.

Materials List

A list of required materials

• Needles: general sewing, embroidery or milliners. Check that the chosen embroidery threads can be threaded though the choice of needles.
• Threads: a reel of general sewing thread, 6 stranded coloured embroidery threads, and metallic sewing thread (Madeira is Ruth’s choice). A range of tints and shades of a small range or colours work well e.g. light, medium and darker colour or gentle blends/ variegated.
• Fabric: base cloth – plain medium weight linen, cotton canvas or felt.
• Applique Fabric: a small quantity of coloured, lightweight with a smooth appearance for the flower (similar to paper, Egyptian cotton is ideal).
• Background fabrics: a small quantity of coloured sheer fabric, e.g. net, organza, scrim or voile.
• A small piece of cloth to test out your stitches.
• Stabiliser: this may not be needed, if so, a light weight cotton or Vlieseline L11 to stop the knots pulling through.
• Scissors: small, sharp to cut fabric and threads.
• Pins.
• Pen & paper.
• Erasable pen.
• A small drinking glass or circular based object to draw around. Size from about 9cm to 12cm diameter.

Refund Policy

Refunds are not available for this event.

Sharing your creations

We would love to see your flowers on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #egukworkshops

For others to see your posts on Instagram, your account needs to be public. To see them on Facebook, the post needs to be public.

See what others have created:

Instagram

Facebook

Find out more about Ruth Parkinson-Johns

Website

Instagram

Find out more about the Embroiderers' Guild

Embroiderers' Guild | THE HOME OF STITCH AND TEXTILE ART

Embroiderers' Guild Events

Facebook

Instagram