Make Your Mark:A Slow Stitch Textile Collage Workshop With Kathy Johnson. Saturday, April 20, 2024. 11 AM-3:30 PM (with lunch break). $150.00. $50.00 deposit holds your space. Call 203-245-5921 to register.
Combine rust dyed-fabric, indigo-dyed fabric, rust-dyed thread and rusty bits of metal with slow stitching to create a one-of-a-kind textile collage.
This workshop is suitable for all levels, no prior stitching/embroidery experience is needed.
Explore the art of slow stitching and thread mark making using just one basic straight stitch. I’ll demonstrate pattern variations, which you can then experiment with on your test fabric piece. Use the shape of the metal pieces, and the patterns on the fabric as inspiration as you sketch out a few ideas for your slow stitch and collage compositions. Arrange the fabric and rusty metal pieces to form small collages and begin stitching them into place. While this is not an embroidery class, I'll guide you in making the perfect French knot. Yes, you can do it, really! It's fun and it's a great way to add texture and variation to your stitched pieces.
You’ll also receive instructions in the class handout on how to rust-dye your own fabric and thread for future projects (plus access to my online class, 4 Techniques to Rust Dye Fabric, for one year). I’ll share my favorite sources for finding fabrics, my favorite stitching books and a link to a secret Pinterest board I’ve curated that is packed full of slow stitch inspiration. We will end the class with time for some leisurely slow stitching.
Your class kit includes:
* 1 - 11-inch square of rust dyed linen
* 4 rusty metal pieces
* 8 yards rust dyed 100% cotton thread - size 20
* 8 yards rust dyed 100% cotton thread - size 10
* 3 denim fabric pieces
* 2 linen fabric pieces - not dyed
* 5 rust dyed linen fabric pieces*
* 3 indigo dyed fabric pieces*
* 1 - 8-inch square of cotton muslin - for stitch practice
* 3 embroidery needles - #2, #5, #8
* 2 needle threaders
* paper for sketching pattern ideas
* 1 skein light blue embroidery thread
-1 skein dark blue embroidery thread
Available for use during class will be straight pins, circles templates, scissors, an iron, several clear quilting rulers, and thermosensitive pens (Frixion pens)., pencils and rulers.
Feel free to bring any additional fabric pieces, rusty metal pieces, or thread colors you may want to use.
Kathy Johnson, an artist from Waterford, CT, feels fortunate to have had the skills of embroidery, crewel and cross stitch taught to her at an early age by her grandmother. The discovery of the slow stitching movement several years ago brought the use of needle and thread back into her art practice. Stitching on repurposed fabrics that have been naturally dyed or rusted has become a relaxing nighttime ritual. She also enjoys incorporating stitching into works on paper such as her weekly Monday sketchbook collage which you can find on Facebook and Instagram (KathyJohnsonArt) and in the making of handmade books.