Intuitive Stitching - Week 1

Intuitive Stitching

A few stitches at a time..

Week 1, Part 1 - Introduction

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Week 1, Part 2 - Introduction, cont.

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Notes - please read as not all this information is in the video

Please don’t start stitching yet!
Choose your fabrics - natural fibres (not too thick) are best.
Recycled or vintage fabrics are a great option; if they are new make sure they have been washed and ironed.
Lace - this is great opportunity to use up any small scraps or leftovers.
Select threads in colours that suit your chosen fabrics - both matching and contrasting.
If using buttons or other embellishments assemble them so they are ready.
Collect your sewing supplies and tools.
Think about what kind of rod you would like to use - piece of wood dowel, a found stick, a cardboard tube etc
Set up your creative space - one end of the dining table or an armchair in the living room works well if you don’t have a studio or craft room. Organise your supplies in baskets or bins just for this workshop and leave them out ready to use.
Commit to a minimum of 10 minutes per day and list it in the calendar on your phone, on your fridge or wherever you will see it. Set an alarm if you need to.
If you like music, choose some cd’s or set up a playlist on Spotify so you have it ready to set the mood while you work.
Relax and try not to worry about the outcome. We will just enjoy the process!

Summary:

Gather your materials - selecting fabrics, types of threads, sewing tools, embellishments, types of embellishments, yarns (for couching); choose colours you love. Allow yourself to play.

A few stitches at a time - rather than being concerned about deadlines and finishing your project, we will concentrate on doing a few stitches for a few minutes each day. Our aim is to enjoy the moment!

The right environment - I like to play music while I'm working. Music is a big part of my life and it helps me relax, be in the moment, and distracts me from my tinnitus (which is severe). Choose music you love, nothing too upbeat, sit comfortably at a table which is not too low or too high, and you will soon enter 'the zone'!

Course overview - there will be 5 weekly lessons with videos and notes, covering what you need to get started, to guide you into developing a daily stitching practice and ways of working intuitively. At the conclusion of the course, there will be 4 x Zoom sessions which will include stitchalongs (like an online sewing circle), Q & A, and show and tell. There will also be a Facebook group.

About your tutor - I am a designer, artist and teacher, living and working in rural northeast Tasmania, Australia. My heritage is Dutch; I was born in Canada but have lived here for many years. This is now my home! I have been stitching and making art for most of my life, and my work has been published internationally, featured in many exhibitions and won numerous awards. However, my main drivers are a love of creating, and developing opportunities to encourage others.

[B. Ed (Art major, distinction); Dip. Art Craft Design (Textiles)]

Online - gonerustic.com

Instagram- @gonerustic

Facebook - gonerusticstudiogallery