Blackwork Shading: 'Jellyfish'

Sunday 17th July 2022 10am-4pm

St David's Community Centre, 17 St David's Hill, Exeter EX4 3RG

£65 + £28 for kit.

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'Stitching With Liz & Helen' is a collaboration between two Royal School of Needlework tutors, Liz Tapper & Helen Jones (www.stitchwork.co.uk), to bring the art of needlework to Exeter. We aim to provide classes in a range of techniques and for varying skill levels. Please do get in touch if there's a particular course you would like to see listed.

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Blackwork, due to its counted nature, is a perfect technique to move onto after cross stitch. Blackwork came to England from Spain with Catherine of Aragon in 1501. It's diaper patterns originated from intricate Moorish patterns. It was widely used during the Tudor period on clothing, particularly on cuffs and collars, where it was worked to be the same on both sides of the fabric.

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This blackwork shaded design will take your counted embroidery to the next level . You will cover the basics of shading using three blackwork diaper patterns and stem stitch, as well as learning why each pattern is chosen. You will then be able to move on to more complex shaded images.

 

The kit includes a 32cm x 35cm square of white 20hpi or 28hpi linen (please specify when booking), one skein of black stranded cotton, tissue paper to transfer the design, full instructions with a detailed stitch guide, diagram and photos, an embroidery needle and a tapestry needle. You may like to bring your own embroidery scissors and you will be able to borrow ring frames on the day.

 

The finished embroidery measures 17cm high by 17cm wide. When choosing which fabric count

to use, the lower the number, the easier it is to see the holes, so 20hpi is easier to work with than 28hpi, which is finer. 

 

There will be an hour’s break for lunch at 1pm. Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the class price. There are cafes and shops nearby for lunch, but it may be easier to bring a packed lunch.

 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn a traditional hand embroidery technique in the relaxing environment of Exeter Community Centre, situated in the lovely city of Exeter.

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This class will run from 10am-4pm at Exeter Community Centre, 17 St David's Hill, Exeter EX4 3RG

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