Free-motion Embroidery

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Free-motion embroidery, sometimes called ‘free-machine embroidery’ is a useful textile art skill. You can use it in quilting, card-making, applique, art journals and much more!

About Free-motion Embroidery

Listed Under Workshops Events / Arts and Crafts Events / Learning Events

You can use it in quilting, card-making, applique, art journals and in many other creative textiles techniques. So if you're wondering where to start with creative textiles, then I recommend you take this workshop and find out why Kirstie Allsopp calls this the 'crack-cocaine of craft'!

Course description

Free-motion embroidery, also known as Free-Machine embroidery or thread-painting, is a useful core skill for textile work. Many of my other creative textiles workshops involve free-motion embroidery so if you’re not sure which one to take, then I recommend this workshop as a starting point. Free-motion embroidery can also be used in general crafts too. It will add interest and texture in card-making and art journals. No ‘drawing’ experience is necessary.

This workshop will teach you how to use a sewing machine as a creative tool. Whether you want to quilt, create mixed media art, make cards, or do applique or embroidery on your clothes, this course will show you a variety of ways to do it.

Who is Free-motion embroidery aimed at?

Level: Improvers onwards (Basic sewing machine experience required - you must be able to wind bobbins and thread the machine)

What will I learn?

This workshop aims to teach you the basic techniques of FME. It will also cover some advanced techniques to introduce exciting texture into your work:

setting up the machine
guiding the needle to draw with thread
common free-hand embroidery patterns including useful quilting designs.
how to obtain a variety of patterns and texture effects using advanced techniques.
use of fabric stabilisers
the afternoon project will help you practice, to create a small stitched picture.
Course arrangements

All materials and sewing machines are provided or you can bring your own machine. You will need a darning foot suitable for your make and model of machine and I recommend using size 80 or 90 Topstitch needles. Please check that you have your power cable/foot control, bobbins and your instruction manual.

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All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Other Events at Artisan Stitch

Explore your creativity with Artisan Stitch's brand new 3-day Summer School Course to explore Free-Motion Embroidery.

Workshops

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If you'd like to have a go at quilting but have been put off by all the rules and complicated maths, then this three-day workshop run by Artisan Stitch is perfect for you!

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