Garden Embroideries
Stitch your favorite garden flowers in a warm patchwork setting. Students in this five day workshop will explore the possibilities of pieced environments for use as a background. This becomes a foundation for fused fabric, machine applique, free-motion embroidery and exploration of thread, on your favorite flowers from the garden. Methods of machine quilting will be discussed as well as other embellishment possibilities. This class is designed for the student that wants to fully explore the use of the sewing machine to create an original design
Supply List
Every student is responsible for understanding their sewing machine and how to adjust it. Some brands have computer menus that are difficult to navigate. You will need to know how to: raise and lower top tension; lower feed dogs; change stitch width; change stitch length; reduce pressure on the presser foot; know how to set your machine for free-motion work. Some Viking machines have a free-motion override setting, know how to find and activate it.
- Sewing Machine with zigzag and decorative stitches, capable of lowering the feed dogs. Make sure it is cleaned and tuned before class. Tell your machine service person that you will be doing free-motion work. There's nothing more frustrating than coming to class with a machine that can't handle the assignment!
- A platform or table extender to increase the flat work surface area around the feed dogs and needle.
- Throatplate with larger, multipurpose hole
- Sewing machine manual
- Darning foot, appliqué foot, standard sewing foot, extra bobbins
- Sewing machine needles, size 10-11 universal, size 12, 14, 16 Schmetz top stitch needles ( Ann will have these available for purchase.)
- Extension cord
- Small bottle of silicone, Sewer's Aid is one brand name, optional
- Thread: bring thread for piecing, monofilament thread in clear and smoke, bobbin fill thread (The Bottom Line, by Superior Threads. ) Bring a selection of decorative thread: rayon, solid color, at least one spool of heavier 30 wt. thread, variegated, metallic to complement and match flower and leaf choice.
- Pencil, felt tip marker, paper scissors, fabric scissors, rotary cutter, ruler and mat
- Lots of straight pins
- Some type of paper for drawing, newsprint etc. Fold up several large sheets to fit in your tote bag. You may tape smaller pieces of paper together if necessary .
- Machine embroidery hoop, 7 inch size, round
- Iron and padded surface for pressing, optional
- Iron cleaner, optional. Helpful when doing lots of fusing.
- 1-2 yards of white felt or flannel to use as a design wall
- A piece of muslin or solid color fabric 12 inches square for experimenting with embroidery techniques
- 36-50 six inch squares of fabric in one color family, ranging from very light to medium in value. Cut no more than 2 squares of a fabric. This will create your garden background. For example bring cream, beige, khaki, and taupe fabrics in a selection of solids, batiks, tone on tones or small prints. Take into consideration your choice of flower. There must be some contrast between your flower color and the background used.
- An assortment of fabrics appropriate for your choice of flower. Example, if you want daisies bring 3-4 whites, 2-3 yellows for centers, 5-6 greens for the stems and leaves. The assortment size should include light, medium and darks, in fat quarters or larger.
- Accent fabrics, enough for a narrow 1-2 inch border, some very dark fabrics, maybe a black and white print, or something that would create a contrast with background choice.
- Optional, contrasting border (instead of self-border), enough yardage for desired width and finished quilt size.
- Optional, yard pieces of bridal illusion veiling, white, black, or color used in flowers or background. Available in most chain fabric stores, finer than nylon net. This can add highlights or shadows.
- Optional, SewSlip or Free-motion Slider (new cling type; no tape)
- Bring a selection of colorful scraps and some of your favorite fabrics, in case of a change in garden plans!
- Paper backed fusible webbing, at least 2 yards. Wonder Under or Trans Web would be preferred brands
- 2 yards of Tear away type stabilizer
The instructor will have thread and top stitch needles available for purchase.
Classroom setup: Please provide a table for each student. One iron and ironing board for every four students. We will do a lot of pressing. . Please no more than 20 students. Two large tables for the use of the instructor.
