This hand-stitch course will explore a variety of slow textile techniques, using traditional skills as inspiration. Old quilt samples, Japanese Boro pieces and hand-mended scraps are among the textile treasures from the tutors collection, and you will be exploring these and learning to read the textiles.
You will use simple stitching, plain sewing and patchwork techniques, and a palette of thread and fabric repurposed and naturally dyed by the tutor. You will explore the possibilities of developing a daily textile practice through the use of a stitch journal. There will be opportunities to explore the pleasure and wellbeing benefits that can be found from slow textile processes.
This course will encourage a reflective way of working and will lead to the beginnings of a resonant, personal piece of work. There is an emphasis on sampling and testing ideas, rather than one outcome.
You can expect to explore the process in a relaxed supportive environment. The tutor will encourage you to develop your work through observation and experimentation.
On this course, the tutor will supply most of the materials, including:
Please bring with you a textile that you are happy to share a story about with the group. This could be something that you have made or a family textile (it will not be included in the work you make during the course).
Gardens Gatehouse Craft Shop:
Available from tutor:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Claire Wellesley-Smith is an artist and author. She has an MA in
Visual Arts and specialises in slow textile processes including the
use of natural dyes and hand stitch. She has many years experience
of teaching adults textile-based processes as part of long-term
projects. Her book, Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile
Art was published by Batsford in 2015.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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