'Sparkling Threads' workshop with Nicola Jarvis, 5th July

What a sparkling day it was!  Many of us were feeling a bit daunted at the start - not least by the quality of Nicola's own work, but she soon put us at ease and guided us through no less than seven techniques used in gold work.

      

It was a really packed day, requiring a lot of concentration, but Nicola's patience and careful guidance meant that we all came away feeling we had learned a great deal.

Here are a few works in progress, to be finished at home now that we are feeling much more confident with the techniques:

'Sparkling Threads' - a talk by Nicola Jarvis, Friday 4th July

We are delighted to welcome local textile artist, Nicola Jarvis, back to the branch.  Nicola spent a number of years teaching with the Royal School of Needlework before starting her own business, and in 2013 she staged a major exhibition of her work at the William Morris Gallery.

Nicola is very skilled in hand stitching techniques.  Her illustrated talk will focus on the development of gold embroidery from the medieval period through its various applications over the centuries to innovations in contemporary stitched art and fashion works.

Friday's talk will be followed on Saturday 5th July with a 'Sparkling threads' Workshop. 

The morning session will introduce participants to traditional padding techniques, which will be overlaid and stitched with a selection of gold threads. In the afternoon session, participants will be encouraged to explore the new/revisited gold work skills in their own designs and applications, with the option of using unusual and novelty metal threads.

Nicola will supply a small introductory basic gold work kit for the traditional morning session costing £10.0.