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

Start of a New Year and New Intentions

It's been quite a long time since my last post. I had high hopes for a number of posts about this past year. But the holidays, commissions and gifts and an addiction to the ease of Instagram sort of got in the way!

This year, I have a new intention...I intend to get back into a regular blog-posting practice. I am shooting for a post a week to keep you up-to-date with what is going on with me artistically and with my classes.

The photo collage above is a great summary of this past year! Happily, lots of stitching took place including the wrapping up of a special project...the Textile Museum Muse Project. In this project, twenty of my students spent several months having the opportunity to view amazing textiles from the Textile Museum's collection--use them as inspiration and create some amazing original works. I put together an hour-long program about the project to share with my fiber guild in June. The works were simply amazing! In October, I started a second go 'round...more of a class format where we meet once a month. The works are progressing beautifully and we have the big reveal at the end of January...can't wait.

Ancient Aliens: Inspired by an ancient Peruvian tunic

This was also the year that I started the Scissors and Stories Project...starting with a piece featuring scissors that belonged to my maternal grandmother. I put the word out and got an amazing response from people who have a special connection to a pair (or pairs) of scissors that have a family story. I recently put the breaks on this project, but plan to slowly but surely continue work on it. My piece also became the centerpiece for an article for Quilting Arts magazine (Aug/Sept 2018 issue). In the article, I take you step-by-step through the process of how I created the piece.

Inside Nanny's Sewing Basket: Three Pairs, One Ornate

Perhaps the biggest creative breakthrough for me in 2018 really started at the very end of 2017! I started selling rolls of hand painted cheesecloth and was challenged to show people how it could be used with hand stitching. I focused on layering fabric scraps on wool felt or wool fabric, adding the cheesecloth and couching threads to hold everything together. Over this year, the collages and layers have become more involved and started me on a series of tree (tree of life) works. I rounded out the year making a series of cellphone and talisman pouches using some of the same techniques.

Night Bloom

Talisman pouches

Cellphone pouches

This new direction continues to appeal to me and I can see that there will be more art works with layers of sheers, cheesecloth and stitching for 2019!

Also look for new classes and workshops starting this coming weekend with a collaborative Spin and Stitch workshop...spinning our own threads to stitch with! I'm very excited about the potential!

So...I'm pressing the restart button and plan to make this blog a weekly habit. Hope you will stop by weekly to see what's new!

Happy New Year and hope that this year is full of happy creative adventures!