I have a long held desire to hold an ''open studio''. My home is my studio but unfortunately it's not suitable for an ''open studio'' type event. I have also been asked many times if I give ''workshops''. The answer was and is no. It would be difficult to produce a single, finished item created with detailed embroidery within the time constraints of a ''workshop'' format. I have had requests from many places for ''meet and greet'' type situations to be arranged, for an opportunity to discuss embroidery with me, process, technique, motivation, inspiration, for quizzical sessions, question and answer sessions. Up until now the answer has always been no, not possible, sorry.
However......the temptation has proved to be too great to resist. Following many, recent requests I now have plans in place for a ''gathering'', a meeting of those who adore cloth and stitch. It will be a chance for me to have my ''open studio'' in a space other than my home. I will bring ledgers, embroidered cloth, samples, threads, anything I can carry. You will be free to browse these things, to pick up and put down, to turn pages.
You will have an opportunity to chat with each other, to drink tea, to stitch, to cement online friendships you may have formed.
What will I be doing? I will be mingling, there will be a question and answer session. I want to see your embroidery, to advise if you wish, to guide, to demonstrate a stitch perhaps, I will mentor.
This will be a very relaxed and informal gathering, an opportunity to share a love of cloth and stitch, to meet others who feel the same, to browse my library of stitched samples, ledgers and finished pieces of embellished cloth.
Around 6 weeks prior to our gathering I will mail you links to a series of videos. The videos will demonstrate the creation of a white on white ''stitchery doodle''. This will include basic instruction on creating a surface from scraps of cloth. It will include demonstration of various hand embroidery stitches. It is hoped that you begin to work on this project prior to our gathering and bring it along with you, to add embellishment on the day, to ask my advice on the progress of your piece, to share your embroidery experience with your peers.
However, the completion of a white on white stitchery doodle is not compulsory. You may choose to keep these videos for another time, a work on your own online learning experience. There is no time limit on these videos, you will have access to those forever.
Should you decide that white on white isn't for you, that's OK. Bring along any other piece of embroidery to work on during our stitching day. I will be available to give advice whatever piece of embroidery you choose to share with me.
The date......April 25 2015
The time.....10 am - 4 pm
The place.....Covent Garden
(link to map) Dragon Hall Trust
The cost......£37.50
To secure a place a One Pound (GBP) deposit will be taken at checkout. An invoice will be issued for the outstanding amount at the end of january 2015.
There is more information about the day here.