FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
The project, in collaboration with two local designers, was to guide the students in completing their textiles final. Gloria Modesti and Alessio Ceci focused on teaching the stages of the design and production of a tote bag, whilst I worked with the students on the decorative side, teaching them the basics of embroidery. We covered various basic techniques throughout the whole embroidery process, including understanding the materials, the basic stitches, creating designs and patterns to be embroidered, and finishing a piece.
Workshop 1 - 29th September 2021
The ten students I worked with were each provided with the materials necessary to complete the tasks planned out for them. After discussing the different materials, we dove straight into stitching. I prepared an exercise sheet for each of the students and guided them through transferring it onto the fabric, and getting started with embroidery. This way, each student had the possibility to gain confidence with the stitches before moving on to the next steps.
The next activity was helping the students to design a small pattern themselves. They were each provided with an image of the cupola, and their task was to trace the lines and forms that they were able to define and thought they would be able to embroider. By the end of the first workshop, each student had their own personal design that they had traced onto the fabric provided, ready to be embroidered. There was quite a big time gap between the first and second workshop, so the students were asked to complete the embroidery of the cupola design as homework, ready for the next workshop.
Workshop 2 - 17th November 2021
Our second workshop together began with a brief recap of the stitches, and we discussed any doubts and difficulties they encountered whilst working on their personal cupola designs. To make the most of the time available, I had prepared three designs, ranging from a beginner to an advanced level. The students were assigned the most suitable option for them based on how they got on with their cupola designs.
I found that most of the students were comfortable with giving themselves a challenge, and were eager to try the intermediate and advanced designs.
Given our tight deadline for this final project, I asked the students to work on their designs as much as possible before our next workshop in a weeks time.
Workshop 3 - 24th November 2021
By the third workshop, the students were all very independent and had a fantastic grasp on the technique. Some of the students were able to learn new stitches to enhance their skills and the design of the bag, and others focused on solidifying and putting into practice what they had learnt over the course of the three workshops.
The students had until the 13th December to complete their projects, so I passed my contact details onto the students in case they needed help with finishing up. I am so pleased with how well the workshops went, and the students were all fantastic!
CONTACT ME
If you have any questions regarding a potential workshop, please feel free to contact me either via email or my instagram page! I aim to answer all messages within 3 working days.
