Join textile artist Lora Avedian for a weekend of playful experimentation with textiles and embroidery, learning how to draw with stitch. On this exploratory weekend, participants will create experimental embroidery samples with the aim of developing nature-inspired embroidery techniques that can be added to pre-made items or kept as an art work.
Through-out the weekend there will be simple drawing exercises and Lora will guide you in how to best translate your drawings into stitched lines. Looking at a variety of classic embroidery and embellishment techniques, you will learn how to play with scale and materials to create different qualities of line, 3D relief and texture.
The workshop runs from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and attendance on both days is required.
This will be an opportunity for anyone who wants to push their embroidery in different directions, and explore what can be done with this very traditional craft. It will be a playful weekend where you can develop ideas and go away with samples to reference for future projects.
The weekend is suitable for all skill levels and designed to be flexible to enable participants to go in the direction they please with what they have learnt.
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Day 1
Lora will guide you through a creative approach to hand embroidery using a variety of materials to create nature-inspired textiles. You will begin by learning some classic embroidery stitches and embellishment techniques, where we will look at materials, scale, and colour and how all of these things can vary the line and texture you are able to achieve on fabric.
Over the weekend you will do some simple drawings from nature, as well as have the opportunity to draw from some small still-life settings. Lora will then guide you in how you can draw with the intention of translating your lines into textiles.
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Day 2
On Sunday we will start working on our final pieces, Lora will guide you in how to best transfer your drawings onto your chosen material before creating your final piece of work throughout the day. Lora will be on hand each day to guide you and answer any questions you might have.
We ask participants to bring with them:
A basic sewing kit - (some needles, threads and hoops will be provided if needed).
Small sharp scissors.
Fabric to work on for your final piece of artwork, such as a pillow case, cushion cover, table cloth, napkins or something you already have. (Fabrics we recommend are; Medium weight cottons, linens or woven wool fabric. Please do not bring knitted or stretch materials. Nothing too stiff or thick, you need to be able to get a variety of thicknesses of needle through the surface of the fabric relatively easily).
Any scrap materials such as wools, ribbons, old silk scarves to rip into strips, embroidery threads, braids or cords you would like to work with, but there will also be some pieces available to work with on the day.
Lora will provide calico fabric to sample on as part of the fee, but there will also be vintage linen fabric and plain linen napkins available to buy in addition to the cost of the weekend.
All other tools and basic materials will be provided.
Refreshments and a simple, vegetarian lunch will be provided on each day over the weekend.
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Stay with us:
During this retreat weekend, participents are invited to stay and book into an all-inclusive weekend package that includes a two-night B&B stay at Kindred House (Fri 24th & Sat 25th March), along with full access to the weekend workshops.
Kindred House is offered not only as a space to retreat to, but also to connect within as we invite our guests to be active participants in cultivating our community. Our workshops & various events play a key role in the spirit of Kindred House, in crafting an environment that actively inspires & encourages connection, creativity & learning.
Our retreat weekends make a wonderful gift to oneself or a thoughtful offering to a loved one. They provide an ideal opportunity for a weekend getaway in our sanctuary beside the sea, whilst having the opportunity to get creative, learn a new skill & make new friends along the way.
Rooms are limited & tend to get booked quickly so get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
The workshop weekend is limited to 8 places to ensure a more intimate experience. If dates need to change due to Covid or otherwise, you’ll be able to swap to the new date or obtain a refund if you’re unable to make the new date. Otherwise tickets are non-refundable.
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About your teacher: Lora Avedian
Lora Avedian is a London based multidisciplinary artist, and author who graduated with a Masters in Mixed Media Textiles from the Royal College of Art in 2017. Lora wrote a how-to embroidery book Stitch in Bloom in 2021, published with Hardie Grant. She translates her playful drawings through textiles, and paper collage. Lora’s work is grounded in history, inspired by ethnographic research and nature, she often uses scrap and vintage materials to create her work. Lora uses traditional embroidery and embellishment techniques to make modern artefacts, which look as beautiful on the body as they do on a wall.