A Toast to Tiffany©

Proficiency Level: Intermediate

Class Length:  3 or 4 days

Class Description: Silk and Metal on Canvas

Combining two techniques that Tiffany was known for: stained glass and jewelry; we will develop a precious landscape gem in silk and metal needlework.

The interior depicts a hillside of trees and water against a pale morning sky in space dyed silks in satin, laid, and renaissance stitches--some with padding. The borders are worked in combinations of sequins, beads, Jessica and composite stitches in silk and braids. These are joined in embellished waffle stitches. Student knowledge of Hilton type stitches will be helpful. 

Design Size: 6˝ X 12˝ inch on 13˝ X 16˝ congress cloth

 Élégant Éventail ©

Proficiency Level:   Advanced
Class Length:  4 days (24 hours)

Class Description: The swish of a satin gown and the glow of times past are remembered in this gold and blue fan, or as the French would say élégant éventail. The foundation for creation is #24 Congress Cloth and the silk fibers used are flat silks, Zwicky twisted silk, and silk sewing thread.  These combine with smooth, rough, and check purls; Faconnee; Jacerons and braids. The stitches included are vertical, horizontal, voided, and diagonal satin used flat and over padding.  The students will also learn how to transfer parts of their own patterns and make a new thread composite from metal thread components.  The focus of the class will be on padding and filling areas with purls.  The student should be proficient in Blackwork and laying flat silk.

Size: 11" X  13 " design on 15.5" X  18" #24 congress cloth

Kit Includes: All materials necessary to complete the design including the working frame. 

Materials Needed (Supplied by Student): Metal cutting scissors, frame magnets, fine tweezers (Uncle Bill's recommended), thimble, straight pins, bees wax, small ruler with mm measurements, 12" ruler, devise for holding the frame steady and flat, laying tool (tekobari recommended).  Lamp and magnifier if needed.  The usual needlework tools.

Classroom Equipment: Floor easel with flip chart

Evening Enchantment ©

For we sing with our light.
For we are birds made of fire.
For we spread our wings over the sky.
Our light is a voice.
From a Passamaquoddy Indian song

This enchanted bird glides in a blaze of dazzling light as evening falls. Can you hear its Siren song? Follow it to an enchanted world of gold and copper.

Students will paint their fabric to resemble a sunset and arrange their own interpretation of the bird and cloud formations. For dimensional affects we will be using felt under kid and waxed string under Japanese golds. Japanese embroidery techniques of coiled couching are combined with goldwork techniques of chipping and couching milliary and crinkle. These all unite with shading the many colors of Japanese golds with silks to create contoured forms.

Size: 10" X 16" design on 16" X 22"

Floral Opulence ©

Length of Class:  4 days (24 hours)
Proficiency Level:  Advanced

Class Description: Down glittering corridors of an age long past comes a glimpse of life we can but dream. Can you imagine that the inspiration of this pieces came from an apron? Giving new interpretation to designs of the eighteenth century and blending them with the silk and metal of the twenty first, we will create an exquisite floral while exploring the dress and life of an opulent age. 
For dimensional effects we will be using padding in numerous ways: Couching Japanese golds over string or layered felt, padding sating stitches, using braid under Burden stitch. Pattern couching, Goldwork, and filling stitches are also explored. Flat silk will be used and we will create new threads by hand twisting silk and metallics. The use of random Blackwork blends the background from foreground into the distance. 
Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas in color and stitch 
interpretations.

Size: 6.5" X  7.5" design on 11.5" X  12"

Montgolfière du Soir ©

Length of Class:  4 days (24 hours)
Proficiency Level:  Advanced

Class Description: Descending in gentle breezes as the last rays of the setting sun touch the sky you will celebrate after an exhilarating flight. Montgolfiére, the French word for hot air balloon, is the name of the pioneer of flying these ethereal aircraft.  With the montgolfière as a guide, the world of silk and metal threads will open out before you. The foundation for this craft is Thai silk that you will apply to a backing fabric.  The silk fibers used include Ping Ling, Soie Platte, Waterlilies, and silk sewing threads.  These combine with beads, Kid, twists, check purl, crinkles, Jacerons, and Japanese Colorful and Dull golds to form elaborate borders and elegant fillings. The stitches included are horizontal and diagonal satin, Lattice Holding, numerous couching variations, Herringbone, and Outline.  The focus of the class will be on couching and filling areas with purls.The student will learn to work with some of the newest and the oldest materials in the silk and metal threads repertoire.

Size: 8.5" X  9" " design on 13.5 X 16" silk foundation

Kit Includes:  All materials necessary to complete the design including the working frame and one set of Koma.

Materials the Student should Bring: Metal cutting scissors, curved scissors, fine tweezers (Uncle Bill's recommended), thimble, straight pins, devise for holding the frame steady and flat, laying tool (tekobari recommended).  Lamp and magnifier if needed.  The usual needlework tools.

Classroom Equipment:  Floor easel with flip chart

The Sea Dragon's Gift ©

Technique:  Silk and metal embroidery on fabric
Length of Class:  4 days (24 hours)
Proficiency Level:  Advanced

Class Description: The air is silent in expectation, the sea boils, the dragon surfaces. He has come to offer the gift of the pearl of potentiality: The voyage of exploration begins. Using research into stitch and motif that is being done from pieces I obtained in my travels through China, we will explore the world of modern Chinese goldwork.
Techniques include multiple padding variations: Over rolled tissue, coiled gold over rolled tissue, felt, and crepe fabric. Stitches included are: Chinese pulled stitch, and loop stitch couching, to and fro couching, satin stitch, appliqué, loop stitch, and making karayori thread.
Samples of Chinese embroideries will be available for discussion and students are encouraged to bring their own Chinese embroidery treasures to share with the class.
Students will be encouraged to use their own ideas for some color and stitch placements.

Size: 8.5" x 14" design on 16"x 22"

Montgolfière du Matin ©

Length of Class:  4 days (24 hours)
Proficiency Level:  Advanced

Class Description: Ascending into the pale light of morning, just as the sun is rising, your balloon takes you to new heights of experience in silk and metal threads that take your breath away.  Montgolfiére, the French word for hot air balloon, is the name of the pioneer of flying these ethereal aircraft.  With the montgolfière as a guide, the world of silk and metal threads will open out before you. 
The foundation for this craft is silk Sha.  The silk fibers used include Ping Ling, Soie Platte, Waterlilies, and silk sewing threads.  These combine with Kid, metallics braids, twists, check purl, Jaceron, and Japanese Colorful and Dull golds to form elaborate borders and elegant fillings. The stitches included are Upright Satin with Lattice Holding, numerous couching variations, Radiating Buttonhole, Herringbone, Outline, diagonal Chain Filling, Burden, and a darning pattern.  
The student will learn a new way of framing up to facilitate working on the transparent silk Sha and how to work with some of the newest and the oldest materials in the silk and metal threads repertoire.

Size:  9" X  8.5" design on 12" X 14.5" countable silk foundation

Kit Includes: All materials necessary to complete the design including the working frame 

Materials the Student should Bring:  One set of Koma.  Metal cutting scissors, thimble, straight pins, devise for holding the frame steady and flat, laying tool (tekobari recommended).  Lamp and magnifier if needed.  The usual needlework tools.

Classroom equipment:  Floor easel with flip chart

Winter Wonders ©

Technique: Silk and metal embroidery on canvas
Length of Class:  4 days (24 hours)
Proficiency Level:  Advanced

Class Description: Fans open and bright blossoms blend with the winter pine inviting us to celebrate the past and follow the new growth into the future. We will combine the elegance of traditional oriental design with Japanese and Western techniques as the new world of silk and metal needlework opens before us.
For dimensional effects we will be using felt and stitch padding techniques. Japanese embroidery techniques of stamen effect and modified flax leaf lattices are combined with superimposed embroidery. Goldwork techniques of cutwork and many couching variations will be employed as we explore the ways to bring together East and West.

Size: 10" X 16" design on 18" X 16.6" congress cloth