June 9 – June 11, 2023
9 am to 5 pm
Overview:
In this workshop participants will take inspiration from the flora around Sanborn Mills to create botanical drawings that will become painted and embroidered artworks. Through guided drawing exercises, we will explore observational and imaginary drawing strategies and create a composition for the final project.
Once compositions have been completed, I will demonstrate how to transfer the drawings onto hooped fabric for the final piece. Next, we will explore acrylic paint, adding color to the drawings. I will demonstrate some painting basics, covering things like ideal paint consistency for fabric and as a base for stitching and some basic color theory while encouraging students to experiment and develop personal preferences within the materials.
Lastly, I will demonstrate a series of embroidery stitches that can be used to create surface patterns and textures to enhance the paintings. Embroidery is an ancient craft with roots in nearly every culture across the globe. In Western/American culture it is often relegated to ‘women’s work’ and characterized as old fashioned, but embroidery is so much more expansive than that. It is a universal human pursuit with a powerful ability to connect. It is a wonderfully meditative craft that can be practiced in solitude as a centering exercise, yet the experience is only enhanced by stitching in community. During the course of this workshop, I hope we can challenge the preconceived notions of what embroidery is, while respecting the multifaceted history and cultural significance of the craft. I aim to facilitate creative exploration and skill development and spark a lasting curiosity and enthusiasm for making. Absolutely all skill levels in drawing, painting, and stitching are welcome.
Skills and Techniques:
• basic drawing techniques and composition development
• how to transfer a drawing from paper to fabric
• basic color theory and color mixing with acrylic paints
• painting on fabric
• embroidery techniques that include, but are not limited to preparing your hoop, satin stitch, chain stitch, whipped backstitch, couching, needle weaving, colonial knots, and other mark-making techniques.
• how to prepare your embroidery for display
Materials Fee: $35 Paid directly to the instructor. This covers 7 inch wooden embroidery hoop, second-hand cotton fabric, embroidery floss, assortment of other second-hand fibers, thread scissors, acrylic paint, brushes.
Special Tools or Equipment: None
Instructors COVID preference: Your instructor reserves the right to require safety requirements depending on the state of the pandemic at the time of the workshop.
Workshop Policies
Please be sure to read our policies before you register for a workshop.
Age Requirements
The minimum age to attend a regularly scheduled workshop is 16 years. We have set this age to ensure a safe, productive, and community-building experience for all of our students. There are no exceptions.
Accessibility & Accommodations
If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact our main office at 603-435-7314.
Student Cancellations
Cancellations must be made at least 30 days prior to the start date of a workshop in order to receive a refund.
Registration and material costs will be refunded, minus a non-refundable $25.00 registration fee.
A full refund will be made for any amount paid for overnight housing.
Sanborn Mills Farm Cancellations
Each workshop must have a minimum number of students to be held. If Sanborn Mills Farm finds it necessary to cancel a workshop, we will notify students two weeks prior to the scheduled workshop start date.
A full refund will be provided to registered students. Refunds for a workshop purchased as a gift will be made to the purchaser only. Sanborn Mills Farm cannot be held responsible for any refunds for travel expenses or for off-site housing expenses incurred as the result of a cancellation of any kind.
Housing & Meals
Please refer to our housing page for more information.
Safety
Each workshop has its own safety procedures. Your instructor will review the specific safety requirements at the start of your workshop and throughout your class. Sanborn Mills Farm is a rural setting. If you are allergic to insect bites, please alert your instructor of your allergy and bring an epipen with you. For draft animal workshops or courses requiring time in the woods, be sure to review tick safety procedures from Tick Free NH. We advise students to wear comfortable clothing, comfortable and secure shoes, and consider your personal needs for a day or extended stay.