Learn how to apply hand embroidery to photographs to create a tactile and meaningful physical memory in this workshop for young adults.

Discover the beautiful art of applying embroidery techniques to photographs.

Guided by artist Ashley, learn 3 simple embroidery techniques such as running, back and chain stitch, how to apply this to your own photograph using tracing paper & stencils, and then have time to embroider your own photo.

During this hands-on creative workshop, we'll take inspiration from the collection of samplers and embroidery work in the Foundling Museum's collection.

The workshop is inspired by the Foundling Museum's permanent collection of tokens and how these symbols represent memories visually.

You will be invited to consider your chosen photograph and think of a related icon, symbol or object to add to your embroidery design to communicate a memory, creating your own 'photograph trinket'.

No need to stress about coming solo, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow attendees through making. This is your opportunity to take some time to craft, connect and self-express. What are you waiting for?

Photo guidance:

Please bring 1-2 printed photographs to work with during the workshop.

Your photograph could be of a person, place, object, pet, holiday, family gathering, childhood memory - or anything else that holds a memory or meaning for you.

A few tips:

Around 10 × 15 cm (6 × 4 inches) is ideal.

Matte or standard photo paper works well.

Older, faded or imperfect photographs are very welcome.

If your photograph is particularly precious or irreplaceable, please bring a copy or reprint rather than the original, as we will be piercing the photograph with a needle.

Photographs with some areas of clear space can be easier to stitch into, but don't worry if your image is busy.

You don't need to decide what you want to stitch beforehand - we'll explore ideas and templates together during the workshop.

You can also bring a spare photograph in case you want to experiment with more than one.

This workshop is open to anyone aged 18-30.

About your facilitator:

Ashley (https://www.ashleyjessknight.com/) is an award-winning London-based upcycler, textile designer and weaver who creates colorful & sustainable textiles & garments using deadstock and recycled materials.

Alongside making Joyful upcycled Jackets & accessories with her own textiles & deadstock materials, she runs upcycling & embroidery workshops for organizations, brands, and community groups such as: Fashion Revolution, Lonely Girls club, New Designers & Crisis. Her workshops focus on creativity, skill-sharing, and waste reduction while providing space for community building.

About Assemblage Collective:

Assemblage Collective (https://www.instagram.com/assemblagecollective_/) is an arts collective based in London specialising in hands-on artistic workshops with an emphasis on papercrafting and creativity as a tool for bringing people together. Assemblage is currently in residence at the Foundling Museum in London where they host 10 workshops a year for young people aged 18-30, as well as offering a range of other events open to all at different venues across London.

Description supplied by the event organiser.