Shelley went to Art College straight after ‘A’ levels and completed a degree in Graphic Design and then worked as a graphic designer for the BBC and Granada Television for 8 years before retraining to become an Art teacher in Secondary Schools. She has also completed her City and Guilds in Creative Embroidery and now teaches workshops on a freelance basis, alongside making her own work for exhibitions. She has been a member of The Textile Study Group since June 2007. | In her introduction Shelley explained that we would be making a piece that introduces edges as a major aspect. We would be considering the shapes of the edges, the spaces between them and how pieces could be joined together. She showed us several examples of her work and the techniques that were used. |
To guide us Shelley suggested several techniques not just drawing or painting but using both hand and machine stitching, collage, appliqué, printmaking or cutting and piercing. We were asked to consider the effect on two pieces by using contrasting words: Calm Wild Light Heavy Generous Stingy Bold Timid Thick Thin so that one piece gave a softer, calmer feel than the other. | On the third background we were asked to use a combination of both groups of words, the fourth was marked in any way we wanted to try and the fifth was left plain. Everyone got to work, some on machines others hand stitching, piercing, cutting out shapes as well as painting and drawing. |
| And finally Shelley explained how they could be joined using a variety of techniques from pins, staples, tape, eyelets, lacing, beads, and buttons. Again the list was endless. |
Once again the back room was crowded with stitchers and some fabulous work was being completed.
Thanks also to Sylvia and Barbara who held the fort in the shop as usual, as well as encouraging us to take fabrics which had been donated to make more project bags for the exhibition in September.
Sylvia will have packs of materials for sale.
- Embroidery ring
- Embroidery needle with large eye or Sashiko needle
- Sashiko thread or soft cotton, traditionally white
- Material, traditionally dark blue. A fat quarter will be more than enough.
- Lining material (if needed)
- Wadding – thin (if needed)
- Marking pencil or other form of transferring pattern to material.
- Templates or thin white card
- Paper scissors
- Tracing paper
- Ruler with 1” markings
- Sellotape (used for taping material to hard flat surface to avoid slipping when transferring pattern.
- Usual sewing things
- Pritt stick