Creative Doodle Stitching with Jessica Grady

Creative Doodle Stitching with Jessica Grady*

This fun hand stitch workshop will introduce you to the wonderful world of doodle cloths. Mindful embroidery is proven to help with relaxation and doodle cloths can help you to achieve this, as well as being a creative tool to explore hand embroidery. The workshop will start by creating a painted background fabric to inspire the doodle cloth to take shape. Embroidery artist Jessica Grady will show you how to use different paints and inks with mark-making techniques to create your mixed media backgrounds. After the fabric backgrounds are dry, Jessica will introduce you to her most loved and used hand embroidery stitches, with lots of versatility to create exciting shapes, lines and doodles on your fabric. Techniques taught will include: French knots, chain stitch, blanket stitch, needle weaving, couching, running stitch and cross stitch variations. Jessica will show you how to layer your stitches, create interesting patterns, use multiple yarn types and allow your needle to be in control and lead your design!

The day will also include lots of Jessica’s tips and tricks to make hand stitch easier, from threading chunky threads through small needles, tying off the back of your work and using alternative thread ideas. Each participant will leave the workshop with the beginnings of their own doodle cloth or a small finished design that you can frame up or use. This workshop is suitable for beginners and regular stitches alike, all you need is yourself and a willingness to try something new!

(*Jessica Grady is an award winning embroidery artist, educator and author from West Yorkshire. Her work is a colourful and creative exploration of hand stitch and mixed media, and she utilises waste and recycled materials, which are transformed into exciting embellishments. Jessica is passionate about exploring mixed media to create fun artworks that take otherwise discarded materials and turn them into embellished treasure. She creates detailed sculptures and wall framed artwork all showcasing her intricate signature style. Jessica’s work has been exhibited in the UK, Europe and Asia, and she shares her skills across the UK and beyond through workshops and lectures. Her first book - Stitched Mixed Media was published in 2023 with Crowood Press).

Skill Level: suitable for beginners as well as more experienced stitchers.

Cost: £65 per person - includes all materials and equipment use.

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