4 Week Textile Art Course in Appliqué and Hand Embroidery

Over four relaxed weekly sessions, you'll learn the beautiful art of appliqué and hand embroidery while designing and creating a stitched artwork inspired by words that matter to you. Whether it's a favourite line from a poem, a song lyric, a family saying, or a phrase you've carried with you for years, you'll transform meaningful words into a fabric collage rich with colour, texture, and carefully stitched detail.This course is about slowing down, trusting your creativity, and making something deeply personal. Alongside learning traditional hand sewing techniques, you'll explore how imagery, fabric, and stitch can work together to tell a story. Think of it as creating your own modern sampler – a piece of textile art to treasure long after the final stitch.No previous sewing experience is needed. You'll be guided through every stage, from your first appliqué stitches to the finishing touches, with plenty of time to work at your own pace.Week One: Learning the language of stitchWe'll begin by getting to know the materials and techniques you'll use throughout the course. You'll learn a selection of simple but beautiful appliqué and embroidery stitches, experiment with fabrics and textures, and gain the confidence to begin your own textile artwork.Week Two: Finding your wordsThrough a series of gentle creative prompts, you'll reflect on the words you'd like your artwork to carry. These might come from poetry, music, literature, conversations, family sayings, or your own personal philosophy. Once you've settled on a phrase, we'll explore the imagery it evokes before sketching your composition and beginning to build your appliqué design using fabric collage.Week Three: Bringing your artwork to lifeWith your composition assembled, you'll begin stitching your design, adding embroidered details, texture, and personality using the techniques you've learned. Everyone works at their own pace, with plenty of one-to-one guidance throughout the session. You'll take your work home afterwards to continue stitching between sessions if you'd like.Week Four: Finishing your pieceBring your artwork back to the studio for a final session of stitching and finishing. We'll look at different ways to complete and present your textile piece, whether you'd like to frame it, turn it into a wall hanging, stretch it, or continue adding to it after the course.Optional Studio SessionIf you'd like a little more time with your project, there'll be optional additional studio sessions where you can continue stitching with support and guidance.

• Tuition in appliqué and hand embroidery techniques.
• An A2 linen panel to use as the foundation for your artwork (you're also welcome to bring your own fabric if you'd like to work on a larger scale or use a coloured background).
• A beautiful selection of coloured, patterned, and textured fabrics to cut, layer, and collage into your design.
• Use of threads, needles, embroidery hoops, fabric adhesives, and all the tools you'll need throughout the course.

By the end of the course, you'll leave with a finished piece of textile art, a collection of new hand stitching skills, and hopefully a renewed appreciation for the joy of making things slowly. Read more details