Machine stitched textiles – textured landscapes with Wendy Dolan

Art textiles

Ref: SLW13225

Location: West Dean
£432
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About this course

Interpret a landscape image while working with creative textile techniques. Fabrics are patched, layered and textured, then embellished with paint and machine stitch, as you develop a unique design.

Course Description

Interpret a landscape image while working with a combination of creative textile techniques. Fabrics are patched, layered and textured, then embellished with paint and machine stitched, as you develop a unique design.

This course offers you the chance to develop a combination of textile skills creatively. Applied fabrics, fabric painting, machine and hand embroidery are all combined to create textured surfaces. Fabrics will be pieced, patched, layered and textured, then worked into with paint and machine embroidery as you interpret a landscape image in textiles.

After demonstrations of the techniques, you will be encouraged to develop individual designs, with guidance and encouragement from the tutor. Group reviews will be held during and at the end of the course, so that ideas can be shared and discussed.

During the first evening session, the tutor will give an illustrated talk to show her use of textures in stitched textiles to represent the landscape and natural forms. Design sources will be discussed to inspire your course work and you will begin preparing fabric samples.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

  • The cost of fabric paints and Xpandaprint supplied by the tutor for use amongst the group.

What students need to bring

  • Your sewing machine: with a darning foot, if you have one, and your extension table (if you wish to use a College sewing machine, please email us to reserve one: [email protected]).
  • Fabrics: Selection of plain, un-dyed, pre-washed natural fabrics, e.g. cotton, calico, muslin, scrim, linen, silk, ideally varying in texture and tone.
  • Threads: Fine coloured embroidery threads, e.g. Cotton Perle, Coton a Broder, for cable stitching and coloured machine threads according to chosen colour scheme.
  • Scissors, pins/needles, pencil/paper/tracing paper
  • Overall/shirt

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Madeira 30 machine embroidery threads
  • Sewing machine needles
  • Available from tutor:
  • From the tutor:
  • Calico – pre-shrunk
  • White cotton machine thread, Madeira machine embroidery threads
  • Textured fabrics, Scrim fabric
  • Bondaweb/transfer adhesive (small amount)
  • Stitch 'n Tear (fabric stabiliser)

Tutors

Wendy Dolan

Wendy Dolan is an experienced textile artist, tutor and lecturer, specialising in freehand machine embroidery. She is a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen and author of Layer, Paint and Stitch.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.