Online: Opus Anglicanum Class

Stitch a little bit of English history with this delicate design.

 

Opus Anglicanum literally means English Work.  This was the name for a period of highly skilled and detailed English embroidery that was renowned throughout Europe and beyond.  It only came to an end when the Black Death swept across the world, wiping out most of the English embroiderers skilled in this technique and leaving the way open for the quicker, and therefore cheaper, techniques of tapestry shading and surface couching of metal threads from abroad to take precedence.

 

Opus Anglicanum made use of split stitch in fine silk floss along with underside couching worked in metal threads. You will have a choice of design, either 'Edgar' or 'Matilda', as well as being able to choose your own colours for the hair and clothing, to make your work unique. 

 

This class will be run as a short course over three mornings (UK time). This will allow you time to complete each embroidery stage between sessions. You will be able to see close ups of my work throughout each session.

This class is suitable for all levels. Please contact me if you're unsure.

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The Kit: will be sent out in plenty of time for the start of the course and will include fabric with the design already transferred, silk flosses in your choice of colours, metal thread, linen thread, needles and beeswax as well as full instructions with a diagram. Bookings will close two weeks prior to the course start date to allow for domestic postage. Please advise me if you're not in the UK to allow sufficient time for international postage.

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You Will Need: a fine pair of embroidery scissors and (ideally) a hands free embroidery hoop. If not hands free, please instead secure a loose embroidery hoop by placing heavy books on the top edge to temporarily fix it into place and allow both hands to be free. You may also find a magnifier, needle threader and light useful.

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Please download Zoom & Whatsapp.

I will be using Zoom, so please have this already downloaded to your device.

A link will be sent out to you - there is a separate link for each session.

Please note there is a gap of one week between the 2nd and 3rd sessions.

I also find Whatsapp helpful as it enables students to share detailed images of their work, and so I will add all participants to a dedicated Whatsapp group for this short course. You will be able to leave the group at any time. Please download Whatsapp to your phone or tablet prior to the course to enable the taking and sharing of images. I will disband the Whatsapp group one week after the final session.

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