Creating pattern-free, process-led fibre artworks
Earlier in the year, Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild contacted me with an invitation to facilitate a stitching workshop. After some emailing back and forth and a meeting to discuss how a workshop on unplanned stitching might be structured, it was a pleasure to facilitate my “Stitching a Surprise” workshop in September 2024.
Six of us gathered for a day of stiching, sharing, learning and laughter. Participants’ experience in embroidery and in long-stitching was varied, some working from an image they wished to reinterpret in stitches, others simply starting from the bottom of the canvas and stitching until they saw what happened – a method I frequently use to create stitched surprises.
I brought examples of my work (below) as it was easier for people to look and and touch “the real thing” rather than seeing images on screen.
We took photos of work in progress to share:
It was an enjoyable day, and we were happy with the progress we made, in just a few hours which included PowerPoint presentations and discussion, towards completed works of fibre art.
I enjoyed designing and facilitating the workshop, and would be happy to lead another for interested groups or groups of individuals. Here’s a draft programme which can be adapted to suit the participants’ interests.
Eclectic Yarn fibre artwork 