Join textile artists Jessica Grady and Ruth Hughes for a relaxed and inspiring day of collaborative textile exploration.

This collaborative workshop with textile artists Jessica Grady (Jessica Grady Embroidery) and Ruth hughes (Wild Floss Embroidery) brings together two distinctive approaches to contemporary hand embroidery, encouraging you to experiment with abstract composition, expressive stitch, layered texture and thoughtful embellishment.

Throughout the day, you'll discover how our individual styles complement one another while developing your own unique embroidered artwork. With demonstrations, individual guidance and plenty of time to experiment, this workshop is suitable for confident beginners as well as those with embroidery experience. All materials are included in the ticket price, just bring yourself and your creativity!

Workshop Schedule

10:00am – Welcome & Introductions

We'll begin the day by welcoming everyone to the workshop and introducing ourselves, our creative practices and the inspiration behind our work.

We'll discuss the aims of the workshop, introduce the materials provided and look at a selection of sample pieces to inspire your own ideas.

10:30am – Finding Inspiration & Designing Your Composition

We'll explore simple ways to create an abstract composition using shape, colour and balance.

Topics include:

Developing an abstract design

Choosing a harmonious colour palette

Working with positive and negative space

Building a balanced composition

Cutting embellishments/shapes using a die-cutter

Combining appliqué with embroidery

Participants will begin planning and arranging their own designs before preparing their fabric base.

11:00am – Demonstration: Expressive Hand Embroidery

We'll introduce a variety of hand embroidery stitches and discuss how each can be used to create different textures and visual effects.

Techniques covered include:

Satin stitch

Chain stitch

Blanket stitch

French knots

Couching

Woven Picot

Bullion Knots

Needle weaving

We'll also demonstrate how both of our individual stitching styles can be combined to create expressive, contemporary surfaces.

Participants will spend time stitching while receiving one-to-one guidance throughout the session.

12:00pm – Lunch Break (30 mins)

A relaxed break to enjoy lunch, chat with fellow makers and browse the sample pieces for further inspiration. You can choose to grab a coffee from the upstairs cafe or bring your own lunch and sit in the workshop space to eat and chat.

12:30pm – Hand Embellishments & Personal Style

During the afternoon we'll introduce a range of embellishment techniques, using a wide range of mixed media materials that add depth, sparkle and individuality to your work.

We'll demonstrate ways of incorporating:

Beads

Sequins

Vintage textiles

Lace and trims

Specialty threads and yarn

Layered stitching

Found textile elements

We'll discuss how embellishments can be used thoughtfully to enhance rather than overpower a composition, and how texture can be added to a design with 3D embellishments that build structure and detail on an artwork.

Participants will continue developing their work while experimenting with these techniques.

1:30pm – Refining Your Design

This session focuses on slowing down, evaluating your composition and adding the finishing touches.

We'll discuss:

Balancing colour and texture

Creating focal points

Knowing when to stop

Finishing techniques

Preparing work for display or framing

Jessica and Ruth will continue offering individual support and creative advice.

2:30pm – Show & Share

We'll gather together to celebrate everyone's work and reflect on the day's creative journey.

This informal sharing session is an opportunity to discuss ideas, ask questions and appreciate the unique approaches each participant has taken.

3:00pm – Close

We'll finish the workshop with final questions, information about further learning opportunities, and plenty of encouragement to continue exploring abstract embroidery at home.

We hope you leave feeling inspired, confident in your new techniques, and excited to develop your own contemporary embroidery style.

Techniques Covered Throughout the Day

Developing abstract compositions

Colour selection and balance

Layering fabrics and embellishments

Running stitch

Back stitch

Seed stitch

Satin stitch

Chain stitch

Blanket stitch

French knots

Couching

Layered embroidery

Creating texture through stitch

Incorporating beads and embellishments

Creating your own sequins and beads from sustainable materials

Combining mixed media elements

Developing your own creative style

Finishing and presentation techniques

What You'll Take Home

By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with:

A unique contemporary embroidered textile piece

A collection of new embroidery and embellishment techniques

Greater confidence in creating abstract textile art

Ideas and inspiration to continue experimenting with stitch and mixed media at home

Description supplied by the event organiser.