 Texture for Embroidery (Raising the Surface) This talk covers inspiration for textural embroideries from the natural world and from some less predictable sources. It also looks at ways to achieve texture in your embroideries with some step-by-step illustrations, and includes a gallery of work by well-known embroiderers.  Putting on the Glitz A lightning tour of goldwork through the ages and an exploration of goldwork as it is used today, including contemporary ecclesiastical work and sumptuous goodies from leading embroiderers. From gold kid to embossing powders - if it shines, it's in. Lots of lovely glitz and something for everyone. This talk involves both of us, with Clive contributing on historical aspects.  Embroidery - The Third Dimension A look at three-dimensional embroidery from vessels to installations, covering ways to achieve it and examining some of the techniques used. Today's embroiderers are combining tradition with new and exciting ideas. A range of work is shown.  Off the Screen and Onto the Fabric How do you use a computer for embroidery design? Does it enhance or diminish it? The ways in which leading embroiderers use their machines give us some ideas. Traditional areas such as ecclesiastical work are shown, together with some sumptuous stitching from today's embroiderers. The talk also contains lots of design ideas for those who don't have computers.  Celtic Influences and Inspirations The Celtic civilisation inspires many of today's embroiderers who base their work on the richness of its designs in illuminated books and metal work. From design to stitch this talk looks at the use of inspirational material and considers the translation to stitch. Clive provides the historical context and Maggie looks at the embroideries produced.  Old Walls and Painted Halls Based on architecture ranging from the wonders of Southern Spain's Moorish influence to the Gothic splendour of the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, this talk looks at the details of such sites as the Alcazar in Seville, the Great Mosque at Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada through wall paintings in China to the Art Nouveau grandeur of the Watts Chapel and the exotic images of Marrakech. It goes on to show how this inspiration can be used in embroidery, covering both design and stitch from various artists.  Paper, Metal & Stitch More and more embroiderers are using paper in their work and this talk features such artists as Frankie Creith, Cas Holmes and Jane Wild. We will discuss their work (plus that of other textile artists) and show ways of using paper with metal, texture gels, paint effects and stitch. Both hand and machine stitching will give inspiration and suggest ways of incorporating mixed media in textile art. Piece left by Jane Wild.  Technique Talks This series of talks show the effects of a variety of media and techniques for a particular area of textiles. Handouts are available at a low price and these give details of the products and procedures. Finished pieces are shown, together with the steps to produce them. There are currently two topics: Texture and Mixed Media - more will be added.  Mixing your Media Embroiderers have always been able to combine the best of other artistic worlds into their work and this talk covers the exciting possibilities that result from this mix of media. From gesso on paper, embossing products and puff painted, heat dissolving fabrics, lots of techniques are discussed and delightful stitched results shown.  Visible/Invisible Disappearing elephants and a good look at dissolvable materials with some lovely finished pieces. Covering the use of papers, films and 3D dissolvables, this talk also considers distortions and the use of heat treatments for such fabrics as nappy liners and Lutradur. |
If you would like to book a talk,
Maggie can be contacted by email at maggie@workshopontheweb.com
but please remember to plan ahead.
