Julie's Fall 2021 Online Classes at The Art League School

Roberta A: Hot Springs (Color Connections assignment)

Registration for Fall online classes through The Art League School has already started! I'm pleased to announce that I'll be teaching two five-session hand stitching classes this fall. Both classes start on Wednesday, September 22 and run for 5 consecutive Wednesdays. The morning class (10:00 AM- 12:30 PM) this semester is Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word. The evening class is my beginning Hand Stitching class (7:00-9:00 PM). Times are Eastern USA time.

In Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word, I provide weekly journal prompts or exercises with  memory-related themes. Challenges focus on how these memories can be expressed in words using a selection of stitching techniques. The result is a series of expressive artworks reflecting student's memories. Below is a small selection of works created by students in the Winter 2021 class.

Themes covered include:

Color Connections

Gail S.: Lollipop Pink

Judy P: Grass is Greener

Amy B.: Blue

Family Saying or Motto

Myania M.: Shpatta

Sheila B.: Mr. Nobody Do?

Memories of a Special Place

Camilla C.: Pittsburgh

Amy B.: My Bed

Roberta A: Theater of Epidaurus Greece

Memories of a Touchstone Object

Judy J.: Enough

Students also have the opportunity to work on an ongoing (larger) project that can take the form of a Stitched Journal or working with family linens or other personal textiles.

Judy J.

Judy P.: Journal

Students will learn some finishing techniques and have the option of turning their pieces into an accordion-style book.

Judy C.: Book pages

Judy C.: Book

This class is open to all levels, though a knowledge of basic hand stitches is helpful,

Hand Stitching is my beginning level stitching class...though it is challenging enough to hold the attention of more advanced stitching students. I take a very experimental approach to basic hand stitches exploring their immense potential. Each week, the class will focus on a different theme. Students will learn stitches related to that theme. Students will create a stitch sampler during class time followed by homework, including journal prompts and a choice of interesting stitching challenges as a way to stretch creatively. Below is a small selection of student work from the Fall 2020 class:

Line

Vicky K.

Deborah M.

Pattern and Rhythm

Melinda L.

Vicky K

Karen R.

Texture

Kaaren C.

Julie M.

Layers

Rebecca S.

Sandy R.

Stephanie K.

Final Project

Sandy R.

Melinda L.

I hope you will consider joining me online this Fall for one (or both!) of these classes. Follow the highlighted links to register through The Art League School. I offer materials kits and supply lists for both classes. If  you have questions, feel free to email me at threadborn@gmail.com. Thank you!

Get Ready for Julie's Winter Workshops and Classes 2021!

Creating the loop closure for the Itty Bitty Boro Book

Sign-ups for my Winter workshops and classes are already starting! Hope you'll consider taking part in one of the following scheduled workshops or a multi-session class at The Art League School. Stretch yourself with a one day hand stitching project or take a leap into a more in-depth course on either dimensional stitching using nature as your muse or creating memory-inspired stitched works using words. All workshops and classes are online (Zoom) and are recorded.

One day workshops (5.5 hours including a half hour break) are $65 and some have a kit option. Class size is limited so if you are interested, please contact me asap. Leave a comment here or email me (threadborn@gmail).

Here is the updated schedule through April. Read the descriptions below for more information:

Workshops

January 9 (1:00-6:30 PM EST) Stitch Mandalas

January 23 (1:00 - 6:30 PM EST) Fabric Stash Cloth Book

February 20 (1:00-6:30 EST) Itty Bitty Boro Book

March 6 (10:00 AM - 3:30 PM EST) Talisman Pouch

NEW WORKSHOP! April 3 (1:00-5:15 PM EDST) Bitty Boro Needlebook ($50)

April 17 (1:00-6:30 PM EDST) Talisman Pouch

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Classes at The Art League School (please click on the highlighted class for information and registration)

Hand Stitching Continued: Dimensional Stitches and Fabric Manipulation: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST) Tuition: $160. Optional Kit: $15

Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 (7:00-9:00 PM EST) Tuition: $150. Optional Kit: $15

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STITCH MANDALAS

A selection of Stitch Mandala samplers

Hand stitching can be a meditative practice. Mandala, which means circle in the ancient language of Sanskrit, is a form often used in meditation to center and focus one's attention. In this workshop, students spend the day in meditative stitching, creating a series of Stitch Mandalas. Julie will teach variations of a select number of basic embroidery stitches that can be worked within a circular format with beautiful results. Stitches covered will include variations of: Running, Blanket/Buttonhole, Straight and Couching stitches and needle woven Spider's Webs. Students will create a series of samplers featuring their Stitch Mandalas.

FABRIC STASH CLOTH BOOK

Fabric Stash Cloth Books showing multi-layered covers.

This project was originally inspired by a small swatch book of Japanese fabrics. Different-sized swatches made for interesting combinations of pattern and color. Create your own version showcasing treasures from your own fabric collection or insert cloth pages for future hand stitching and collaging. The book cover features a textural layered variation of reverse applique with the option of adding a Trapunto (stuffed) element. Complete your book with a stab stitch binding. Cover kit available in selected colors for an additional $15 plus shipping.

A sample showing different fabric treasures.

ITTY BITTY BORO BOOK

Stitch Boro-style collages on your itty bitty pages.

Design a small format (3" square), accordion-style cloth book using special fabric scraps from your own collection (or select the kit option). Arrange your scraps on wool felt squares and embellish with Sashiko-style Running stitch patterns for a beautiful and rustic book. Two kit options available: Bare bones: wool felt squares and ribbon $10 plus shipping. Full kit: Bare bones plus assorted fabric scraps, cheesecloth and 2 buttons for closures $20 plus shipping.

TALISMAN POUCH

Assorted Talisman Pouches

Design a beautiful hand-stitched pouch to hold a special object (a beach stone, crystal or other talisman). Combine layers of fabric, cheesecloth, silk sari ribbon, yarns and tulle with hand stitching to create a rich, tactile art object. Add a shell embellishment and a bead closure for finishing touches. Kit available in select colors includes everything (except thread) $20 plus shipping.

NEW WORKSHOP!

BITTY BORO NEEDLEBOOK

Create a sweet Bitty Needlebook to hold your favorite needles. This one can easily slip in with your stitching projects. Decorate with Sashiko-style stitch patterns, bind with beads and add a decorative closure. This is a new workshop that folks have been urging me to teach every since I started making them to sell. They are just lovely to hold in your hand! Kit includes all materials (except thread). $15 plus shipping.

I look forward to stitching with you in 2021!-- Julie

Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word: Dimensional Letters and Other Projects

 

Jill B.: "How" : Wool felt letters and cheesecloth collage

This is the last in a series of blog posts about the Fall class, Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word that I taught online for The Art League School. I will be teaching it again during the Winter session starting on January 27 for five consecutive Wednesday mornings (10:00 am-12:30 pm USA Eastern Standard Time).

In the fourth session, I covered a number of dimensional techniques including Cording, Stuffing/Trapunto and Felt letters. I also suggested that students begin to think about a larger, more long term assignment that would involve stitching a letter (correspondence), recipe, list, poem or memento and to think about alternative ground fabrics such as vintage linens or clothing. I hope to see more results as students continue to work on projects.

Jill B.: "How/Who?": Off the Surface Trapunto

Jill B.: Cording and Trapunto samplers

Roberta A.: Planning a larger project: The Grocery List

Judy P.: A series of Haikus for her youngest granddaughter, Anne. Stitched on a dish towel

Judy P.: Brainstorming ideas for more projects.

Judy P.: Grandmother's Frozen Dough recipe transferred to tea-dyed fabric.

Judy P.: Thinking about stitching the recipe to an old apron.

Barbara B.: List of cooking times for dry rice and beans

Barbara B.: Stitching the list to Jed's shirt sleeve.

Barbara B.: Optional project: One month stitching journal.

Julie B. Booth: Felt and couched yarn letters with cheesecloth fabric collage. Honoring the Swedish Fish candies my maternal grandmother kept in her candy drawer.

Julie B. Booth: Stitched letter written by my Dad when he was just learning his capital letters. I included the erasures (white Running stitched letters). Stitched on a cotton handkerchief, the kind he used to carry in his pocket.

Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word: Mapping Memories

 

Carolyn L.: Memories of her grandparent's farm

The third session of Connecting to Memories: The Stitched Word, focused on creating Memory (mind) Maps around a memory connecting to place. This was interpreted in many different ways...from memories of a "touchstone" place such as a family farm or the ocean (Atlantic and Pacific) to a more recent memory of "the debate stage".  

Carolyn L.: Mind Map about her grandparent's farm. Focus on color.

I demoed a number of different applique and reverse applique techniques and was excited to see how the students incorporated a number of these techniques in their pieces.

Here are some of Jill B.'s applique samplers...

Again...I just love how the challenges mined precious gems of memories and the stitched results. 

Bobbie D.: What is Home? Twenty-nine in 5 different states and 3 different countries!

Sue W.: Love of Cape Cod (same with me!) and her new granddaughter whose initials are SEA and whose middle name means "star".

Vicki F-L.: The calmness and inspiration of the Pacific Ocean

Debra L.: "Pool". Summers there and swim team.

Rebecca S.: The sound of the winter wind at night. 

Jill B.: Her father's giant garden and her more modest one.

Jill B.: The elements needed to grow the garden.

Roberta A.: On Safari in Botswana.

Roberta A.: Following the tracks to find the animals.

Judy P.: Jazz band camp...an extended family affair.

Judy P.: Jazz and Summertime

Barbara B.: Three pieces to represent the three debates (Shut Up Man!, Throwing Shade, So Cute). These were eventually sewn together into a final piece called "Leading Voices" (and yes, the fly made an appearance) that will be part of the Tiny Pricks Project.

I will be teaching this class again in the Winter session at The Art League School. Click here for more information and to register.