Welcome to the Virtual Studio 2020

Thread Born "Virtual" Studio Fall Update

Zoom workshops will be continuing into the Fall. Some workshops are already on the schedule including a brand new workshop: Boro-Style Clutch Bag on October 31!

Here are the workshops presently on my schedule that still have space. Please email me if you would like to join a workshop or work with me to set up one (threadborn@gmail.com):

Saturday, September 26 (1-6:30 PM eastern US time): Fabric Stash Cloth Book

Saturday, October 3 (1-6:30 PM eastern US time): Stitch Mandalas

Saturday, October 17 (10 AM - 3:30 PM eastern US time): Talisman Pouch

Saturday, October 31 (10 AM - 3:30 PM eastern US time): Boro-Style Clutch Bag

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Welcome to summer in Thread Born Studio...it's definitely not a typical summer where I'd be welcoming small groups of you into my home studio to hang out and learn something new. This year, everything's been a bit different!

For the past couple of months, I've been teaching hand stitching classes online via Zoom. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it...could I continue to build a sense of community even when I had 18 people in my class? Would students get the full benefit and learn without my seeing their work in process? Turns out that the answer is "Yes"! I had a very successful and satisfying five session beginning hand stitching class through The Art League School followed by a three session hand stitching continued class. This has given me the confidence to hold summer workshops via Zoom this August.

So how does this work? First you will want to contact me to get on my mailing list. You can either leave a comment here or connect with me on Facebook (Julie Basseches Booth) or Instagram (boothjb4757). I will send out information about how to schedule a workshop starting tomorrow, including costs, available dates and kit options. For now, I will explain how I put a workshop group together and a list of workshops that I'm happy to teach.

Below are descriptions of three and five hour workshops. Since we can't be in the actual studio this year, I'm only teaching stitching classes (no painting and printing). If you see something that interests you, get in touch with me with some dates/times that are good for you (and me!). I will then match you up with others who want to take the workshop too. I need at least three people to run the workshop and I'm limiting the size to six (so we can keep it more intimate). You could also get your own group together with a date/time-- that will guarantee that the class is a go. Once the class is scheduled, I'll send a receipt for payment and a supply list. If the workshop has a kit option, you can decide if you want to  purchase a kit and have it mailed to you (separate cost) or if you live in the Washington DC area, we can arrange for curbside pickup.

Here are this summer's workshop options:

Introduction to Boro-Style Stitching: Running Stitch/Sashiko Patterns (3 hour workshop)
Explore the possibilities of using Boro-Style patching and simple Running stitch to create intricate designs. Julie will show you how you can combine rows, columns and diagonals of stitch to design patterns. Students will stitch a small sampler. Kit option available.

Mending sampler

Introduction to Visible Mending (3 hour workshop)
Mending clothes has become a socially-conscious endeavor and an artistic statement. Students will have the option to work on mending a piece of their own clothing or work on a mending sampler. Julie will show you some approaches to visible mending (mending that's meant to stand out!) and enhancing including different patching techniques, reverse applique and surface darning.

Cargo shorts with decorative patches.

Hand Stitching Primer/Refresher (3 hour workshop)
Here's an opportunity to start your hand stitching adventure or refresh your memory about certain stitches. Julie will teach you a small selection of stitches and give you tips on how you can modify them for different effects. Students will create a small stitch sampler.

Stitched Word Sampler (3 hour workshop)
Starting with a short phrase or saying, learn how to use simple stitches and stitch combinations to design a stitched word sampler. Julie will suggest the best stitches to use and guide you as you design your piece.

Wrapped Stone Talismans (3 hour workshop)
Do you have a collection of stones from a special place? Learn how to turn your precious finds into one-of-a-kind talismans with the addition of waxed linen, fiber and beads. Julie will show you a number of wrapping, stacking and embellishing techniques to make them even more special. Kit with small selection of waxed linen threads and beads available.

Talisman Pouch (5 hour workshop)
Design a beautiful hand-stitched pouch to hold a special object (maybe your Wrapped Stone Talisman!). Combine layers of fabric, cheesecloth, silk sari ribbon, yarns and tulle with hand stitching to create a rich, tactile art object. Add shell embellishments and a bead closure for finishing touches. Kit available in select colors.

Fabric Stash Book (5 hour workshop)
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 fabric collection. The book cover features a textural layered variation of reverse applique with the option to add a Trapunto element. Complete your book with a stab stitch binding. Kit available for covers in select colors.

Sample book spread.

Itty Bitty Boro Book (5 hour workshop)
Similar to last year's offering but even smaller (and cuter!). Design a small format (3" squares) accordion-style cloth book using special fabric scraps from your own collection. Arrange your scraps on wool fabric squares and embellish with Sashiko-style Running stitch patterns for a beautiful and rustic book. Two kit versions available: felt backings/ribbon/buttons or that with the addition of interesting fabric scraps.

Stitch Mandalas (5 hour workshop)
Spend the day in meditative stitching creating a series of Stitch Mandalas. Learn a selection of stitches and a variety of approaches to stitching in circles.

NEW WORKSHOP: Boro-Style Clutch Bag (5 hour workshop)

Create a Boro-Style Clutch Bag by collaging your favorite fabric scraps onto a wool felt base. Add beautiful stitched details with Running stitch/Sashiko-Style patterns. Fashion a buttonhole or loop closure with a special button to add the finishing touch! Option to add a twined yarn strap (I will demo how to make one). Optional kit in two different sizes (large and small bag): includes felt backing, fabric scraps, button (option to upgrade to a vintage Czech glass button).

Hope to see you in the Virtual Studio! -- Julie

Summer Wrap-Up #3: Family Art Project

Wrapped stone by Kai featuring one of Keith O'Connor Pottery's ceramic donuts.

Yes...you did read that correctly...SUMMER Wrap-Up...! I know, I know...it's nearly mid-October and my plans for getting all the summer happenings posted here didn't quite happen. I did want to share this last one with you since it turned out to be a fantastic project!

More of Kai's wrapped beach stones.

Every summer, I come up with an art project for my extended family as part of our vacation together...often at Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The Cape is a special family place. We grew up going there for our summers...eventually finding ourselves on Rockwell Ave in So. Wellfleet. We have many great memories of summers there. My folks eventually bought a house that overlooked the ocean off the same main road (Ocean View Drive) that Rockwell is on. They had that house for ten years. We did eventually have a little hiatus...mostly visiting my brother in Kittery, Maine...also very beautiful! But the Cape called us back and we have been there 5 out of the last 8 summers.

Kai's fish

The family art projects started in 2010 and each year I must wrack my brain to come up with a new one! Actually, it is not that painful! I usually have something in mind or I get inspired as the time draws closer. This year, I wanted to do something a bit low-key, using materials that we could find in nature with the addition of some items brought from home. I'd been curious about weaving over/around beach stones and thought this might be a great project for us to try.

Kai working on one of his beach stone creations.

Kai's finished piece.

We had a family outing to my favorite local bay beach...Duck Harbor. I love this beach...it's sort of quirky...has tons of interesting stones and afternoon and evening skies that amaze! It's the place to be for the best view of sunsets. We went on our gathering expedition...choosing stones that called to us!

Duck Harbor on the rainy day that we collected beach stones.

Next I laid out the materials I'd brought from home...waxed linen, assorted stone beads, wonderful ceramic beads created by Keith O'Connor Pottery (in New Hampshire) including our favorites...small ceramic donuts, and some fibers including dyed and painted cheese cloth, fabric strips and lace. Some Elmer's glue also came in handy.

Poppy using some glue on her stone.

I just love this little guy that Poppy made featuring some of Keith O'Connor's beads.

Poppy really enjoyed adding fiber to her pieces to give them texture.

My 10-year-old nephew Kai wanted to start in right away. I realized at that moment that I hadn't done my usual testing out of the materials and techniques. I immediately started in and so did Kai. No sooner had I realized...hmm...weaving over stones isn't so easy...when I heard my nephew exclaim, "Epic fail!" He found the weaving difficult too (though later in the process he did do some successfully). So...thinking on my feet, I remembered that I'd seen a number of interesting images of stones wrapped with fiber. Bingo!...that was the answer!!!

Poppy played with wrapping layers of cheese cloth and lace over stone. The other is wrapped with lotus wood beads.

More of Poppy's whimsical creations.

What followed was an outpouring of creativity! We each fed off of the discoveries of each other. My architect brother started wrapping and stacking stones. My graphic designer sister-in-law created some pieces that reminded me of Zuni animal fetishes. My 10-year-old niece, Poppy had fun with fiber and beads...creating some delightful pieces. And Kai really took off! His later pieces reminded me of ancient tools.

My brother, Stuart weaving over a wrapped stone. He makes it look so easy!

Stuart's finished piece.

Stuart stacked his stones...not surprising for an architect!

Another stacked stone creation by my brother.

My sister-in-law, Judy, working on her wonderful fish!

The finished piece.

More pieces by Judy. The top piece reminds me of a Zuni bear fetish.

Kai's "tools".

Another of Kai's pieces showing knotting.

Of course, Mom and 15-year-old niece, Ivy and I joined in with some of our own creations.
The best part was the materials could be left out and the creations kept happening throughout the days we spent together.

Mom's stone featuring beads, including one of Keith O'Connor's ceramic donuts.

Ivy's simple, yet beautiful design.

Of course, I had to add fiber to my stacked piece!

An assortment of my stones. I really enjoyed making these!

Now I'm wondering....how can I top this next year???