Free online Autumn Workshops 2020

Join us for a new programme of online textile workshops, brought to you through our partnership with Common Threads. All workshops will take place online using Zoom.

Dates and times

  • Thursday 12th November 2020, 7-8 pm, Embroidered Yellow Dusters
  • Thursday 26th November 2020, 11am-12 noon, Embroidered Yellow Dusters
  • Thursday 3rd December 2020, 7-8 pm, Redwork Embroidery
  • Thursday 17th December 2020, 11am-12 noon, Redwork Embroidery

You can find full details of the sessions below. If you’d like to participate in any of these workshops, please email 2015commonthreads@gmail.com and we’ll send you the joining details for Zoom.

Domestic Dusters

Explore your thoughts on domesticity
  • Thursday 12th November 2020, 7-8 pm  
  • Thursday 26th November 2020, 11 am-12 noon

Join us in an embroidery project stitching onto the traditional yellow duster. We will use the iconic duster to explore our thoughts about domesticity through words or pictures or a combination of both. Using simple stitches, we will embroider onto a duster using the humble needle and thread. How do you feel about domesticity – do you love it, loath it, fear it, resent it, or embrace it?  Is it an out-dated expectation or a predictable reality?  What does it mean to you personally? Stitch your perspective onto a duster!

You will need: 

  • A yellow duster
  • An embroidery hoop (optional but helpful!)
  • A picture or words
  • A Frixion Pen or soluble marker
  • Red thread and needle
  • Tracing paper

These workshops are inspired by Vanessa Marr’s Domestic Dusters project– you can see many lovely examples on Instagram @domesticdusters. 

When your duster is complete, you have an option to submit it to the project to be exhibited. Find out more at https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/about-this-project/

Redwork Embroidery

  • Thursday 3rd December 2020, 7-8pm 
  • Thursday 17th December 2020, 11am-12 noon 

Redwork is a form of American embroidery, developed in the 19th century and particularly popular between 1855 and 1925. It traditionally uses red thread, chosen because red dyes were the first commercially available colourfast dyes, in the form of Turkey red embroidery floss. The red yarns used for this were dyed in Milford Derbyshire – turning the River Derwent red on certain days of the week! It is a form of Spanish Blackwork which traditionally uses black thread. It was brought to England by Catherine of Aragon, and often used to embellish clothing

You will need:

  • 14 count Aida 5” x 5” (12.5 x 12.5cm)
  • Red stranded cotton
  • A Chenille #22 needle
  • Scissors

Funded by BUPA Foundation Community Funding