Studio Workshops

Jenni Cadman - Textile Artist

Studio Workshops
CREATIVE EMBROIDERY AND TEXTILE WORKSHOPS

Since making my first landscape ‘Machrihanish’ I have explored and experimented with many embroidery and appliqué techniques often in an attempt to subvert them beyond their normal practice. Consequently, I have accumulated a varied repertoire of the standard techniques plus some that I have created myself.
And although my practice for many years has been producing mostly wall hung abstract work, I also have previous experience of making waistcoats, handbags and jewellery.
So, in my role as a teacher I have plenty of different skills I can pass on to you whether your interest is in embroidery, textile art, quilts, fashion, accessories, soft furnishings or constructed textiles.

The Workshops
I have been running the ‘Made in Melbury’ workshops from my studio in Melbury Osmond since 2003.

Outline / Who are they designed for? / What do they offer? / What do they cost? / What materials and equipment are required? / Workshop Itinerary /Dates/Advanced classes

Outline
Each workshop takes place over two days in each month. The first day will begin with an ‘illustrated’ talk using examples of my work and images of other artist’s work relevant to the technique, followed by a practical demonstration. After learning and exploring the technique by sample making I will then help you to plan your own individual piece. On the second day you will progress to completing this work. (top)

Who are the Workshops designed for?
I have a programme of workshops for complete beginners and for those who wish to brush up on their existing skills or learn new ones. The only requirement is that you have basic sewing machine experience and can thread your machine!
Numbers are limited to 4 students per workshop. This is an ideal number, plenty of space to spread yourself around and lots of individual attention. (top)

What do they offer?
The workshops will incorporate these approaches:
· To learn new techniques and develop skills in design and composition
· To work around personal designs and translate ideas into practice
· To progress along a gradual learning curve to achieve a greater degree of confidence and self expression
· Advice on presentation of work such as framing, mounting and hanging
· The study of the tutor’s and other artist’s work plus access to the tutor’s specialist magazines and books
· Regular individual tutorials, group discussions and positive feedback on the work in progress (top)

What do they cost?
£ 70 for 2 day workshop.
All materials are included free in the first workshop. These costs also include instruction handouts, tea, coffee and biscuits. Please bring a packed lunch. (top)

What materials and equipment will be required?
Portable sewing machine (I do have a spare Janome to lend)
Basic sewing equipment – pins, needles, dressmaking scissors and embroidery scissors.
Machine embroidery threads and assorted fabrics.
Sketch book and pencil.
Some additional materials will be required for each technique and can be bought from the tutor at cost price. (top)

The Workshop Itinerary
All workshops are in Two Parts. 10am - 4pm.

Free Machine Embroidery

Discover how to use your sewing machine as a drawing or painting tool and widen your horizons in fabric decoration. You will explore the numerous techniques and textures that can be created with a variety of different threads and different thread tensions. This workshop will also introduce you to the more ‘temperamental' metallic threads.
Different patterns and surface effects are possible - matt, silky, shiny, woolly, loopy, sparkly and fluorescent!

Sculptural Surfaces

Learn to blend and manipulate fabrics with ordinary machine stitching and create undulating, sculptural surfaces. The emphasis will be on creating highly textured collages of velvets, frayed silks, sheers and metallic fabrics for example. An exuberant technique, in which the student will discover how, through repetitive stitching and random appliqué, to create three-dimensional effects for all kinds of images - and vessels! A unique technique developed exclusively by the tutor.

Experimental Reverse Appliqué

A different, more spontaneous approach to Reverse Appliqué with surprising results. Using six layers or more of different fabrics, dramatic effects are created by stitching then cutting through to reveal hidden colours and textures beneath. The tutor will use the work of textile artist Sally Greaves-Lord and the artist Hundertwasser as inspiration. Students will learn some basic methods of design and composition using their source of reference.

Fused Appliqué

An invaluable iron-on technique, using ‘Bondaweb’, for the permanent and quick bonding of fabric to fabric. Based on the Paper Cut-Outs of Matisse, this workshop provides you with the skills to exactly reproduce images into fabrics and threads. Each student will work on a Matisse design, provided by the tutor, which can be personalised by using different plain or patterned fabrics. The tutor will advise on how to add embellishment by using a combination of hand and machine embroidery.
For more images of these techniques please see my flickr website (see Links and Homepage).

WORKSHOPS
My studio workshops are now run 'on demand' only. Please contact me if you are interested with your preferred
technique/s, I will then keep you on my waiting list and as soon as numbers reach 3 or 4 I will contact you
to arrange a mutually suitable date.
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Advanced classes - 'Continue 2 Stitch'
For the more experienced among you I am running fortnightly sessions to help those who want to work on their own projects under my guidance. So if you want to get motivated and get your teeth into something please email me.
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Why not get a small group (of four) together yourself and come for a workshop at my studio? You gather the group at a time and date to suit us all. Please email me.

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