A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of hosting a free motion embroidery workshop for four lovely ladies who, very grudgingly, allowed me to take just one photo of them!
The workshop was a birthday present for the lady on the far right and, apart from the sewing, included lots of lovely tapas-style food and prosecco – not a good combination and, yes, one glass did get knocked over on the table!
None of them had ever attempted this type of machine sewing before but, after giving them a run through of the basics and a demonstration, they all managed to accomplish a few little samples.
If I remember correctly, the lady who created the brilliant musical notes below doesn’t even own a sewing machine!
About an hour in and after much laughter and false starts, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and got the hang of it – I love these seed heads.
My advice was to keep it simple to begin with and make sure the backing fabric isn’t too small to manoeuvre under the needle.
All the ladies said they thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and could see how addictive it could become.
I have dabbled a little, myself, with free motion embroidery, with things like this: –
But what I would REALLY love to do is something as fabulous as this! (image courtesy of DaysInDesign).
A course with Katie Essam is top of my wishlist right now…..
April 6, 2016 at 1:57 pm
What a great birthday present! Those musical notes are so good and I’d be very proud to have produced those seed heads. I went on a machinery embroidery course at Clothkits a while ago and really enjoyed it but have never got around to having a go at home!
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April 6, 2016 at 3:13 pm
I used to manage without a dedicated foot but recently invested in one – no more skipped stitches! I love how creative you can be with this method, although I’m not very imaginative and tend to recreate designs I’ve seen elsewhere at the moment.
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April 6, 2016 at 2:18 pm
I would love to get that as a birthday present! It looks very fun! That last photo….it looks hard but gorgeous:)
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April 6, 2016 at 3:14 pm
It certainly is fun! Perhaps you should put a course on your birthday wish list – there’s sure to be one near you:)
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April 6, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Love free motion embroidery and have used it to embroider a sunflower, blackberries and currently an orchid. Have also made some small patches on paper to embellish my mixed media pieces. It’s my favourite use of my sewing machine, followed by making skirts and dresses.
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April 6, 2016 at 3:17 pm
Yes, I’ve seen your work and love it! I don’t have much imagination for creating new designs but I love having a go regardless, if only small projects. I’d like to have a go at a large piece one day.
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April 6, 2016 at 3:29 pm
It looks like everyone had a great time. The samples are so cute. The DaysinDesign is stunning, Alot of practicing went in to that one I am sure.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:31 pm
They all said how much they enjoyed it, thankfully. I dream of making something as beautiful as the one by DaysinDesign:)
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April 6, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Lovely work by everyone & hope you all continue!
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April 9, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Thank you, I will certainly keep doing it as I enjoy it so much and I like to think they’ll all give it a go back home, too.
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April 6, 2016 at 5:39 pm
What a lovely birthday present. I love free motion embroidery and agree it can be very addictive. I have a really talented friend who does dog’s portraits in free motion embroidery. They’re fantastic- she’s done one of Hicks and it looks just like the picture I gave her to work from. Must find an excuse to blog about it one day and show you.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Ooh, yes please, I’d love to see it! I’ve never tried anything other than the basics, but am totally inspired by the one at the bottom so you may see my version of it at some point.
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April 9, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Ok. I’ll think of an excuse to post it. It is incredible. I’m also thinking they run some brilliant machine art type classes at Cowslip, near Launceston – which I think you’d enjoy and won’t be too far when you have your b&b on exmoor.
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April 6, 2016 at 6:00 pm
What a fun way to spend a day. Each sample is uniquely creative and they’re all so cheery.
The artists sample at the end is extraordinary. I would take her class, or yours, too.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:35 pm
It really was a lovely few hours and, although I taught the basics, I would love to improve my skills and share that knowledge, too.
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April 13, 2016 at 12:26 am
I’m sure you will. It’s that thirst for knowledge that drives us forward. There is always something new to learn, some way to improve.
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April 6, 2016 at 7:02 pm
had the best day… wish we could do it every Wednesday xxxx
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April 9, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Fine by me…..!
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April 6, 2016 at 7:44 pm
That looks like a great day and the sewing is all so good! I admire anyone that can use a sewing machine, it’s something I wish I could do…I really like your tea cosy 🙂
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April 9, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Thank you – you should try sewing as it’s pretty instant whereas knitting is a long term thing:)
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April 6, 2016 at 8:05 pm
I love it all! I’d love to give it a go but not sure my machine is capable of such fancy things. Will have to look into it..
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April 9, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I think all machines are capable, it’s just that the drop feed ones are better than the ones which have a feed dog cover plate. A dedicated foot makes all the difference, too.
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April 10, 2016 at 11:00 am
My machine is probably about 4o years old, I’ll have to check it out. I have a few different ‘feet’ but there is only one that I haven’t used. Maybe that’s the one!
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April 10, 2016 at 11:18 am
It doesn’t come as standard with the machine and costs about £15 to buy – a worthwhile investment in my book!
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April 10, 2016 at 11:43 am
Thank you. I’m might need to do this!
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April 6, 2016 at 8:19 pm
What a lovely birthday treat the lady and her friends must have had! Sewing…topped off with tapas and prosecco and they all did so well, especially the lady without a machine of her own 🙂
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April 9, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Yes, it really was a fun few hours and the Prosecco was a bonus!
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April 6, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Didn’t they do well! I’m pretty sure I would not have produced any legible writing during my first lesson – especially after a glass of prosecco – and I own a sewing machine!
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April 9, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Ha ha! I’m not sure whether the alcohol was a help or a hindrance!
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April 7, 2016 at 3:27 am
What a clever bunch, they soon on cited it up, it must be the good teacher, or maybe the wine! I spotted the wickets and cricket bat! I might pinch that idea for some cushions. 😀
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April 9, 2016 at 1:40 pm
The cricket bat and wickets were great, weren’t they? An idea I might well use myself, too:)
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April 7, 2016 at 8:28 am
What a clever idea as a gift, absolutely a perfect way to spend a day with friends. And do something lovely like this.
Lol. I own a sewing machine and have never attempted something as pretty as this. 🙂 Its gorgeous.
Well done to them all.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Oh you really should try it – it’s very satisfying and not difficult really!
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April 7, 2016 at 9:23 am
That look all so lovely! And intimidating for someone who has just mastered sewing in zippers ……
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April 9, 2016 at 1:41 pm
If you can sew in a zip, you can definitely do this! Why not give it a go?
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April 7, 2016 at 9:27 am
I’m giving myself a crash course in free motion quilting at the moment but I’d love to have a go at the embroidery too. I don’t suppose I would be able to attend a workshop – being in France – but couldn’t find details of any on her site in any case. I did see her ‘Workshop in a Bag’ kits which might be a good alternative for me. I’m tempted to go for one of the level one kits.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:42 pm
If you do buy a kit, make sure you blog about it – I’d love to see the results!
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April 7, 2016 at 12:10 pm
What a lovely creative workshop! Those ladies were really talented for their first goes! I love your projects they are delightful – the tea cosy is my favourite. That picture at the end is amazing! what a talented lady!
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April 9, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Simple is best to begin with, but I was surprised at how creative they all were! The last picture is fab, isn’t it?
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April 8, 2016 at 7:35 am
Wow! Lovely! You’ve inspired me. Cant wait to try a hand at free motion embroidery.
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April 9, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Yay, glad to inspire you!
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April 9, 2016 at 12:02 pm
I love free motion embroidery but my machine had a definite aversion to it. Now Abi has her own machine perhaps I should give it another go on there 😃
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April 9, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Definitely give it a go – a dedicated foot makes slipped stitches a thing of the past, if that was the issue:)
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April 9, 2016 at 1:52 pm
OK, thanks. I had problems with missed stitches as well as with the yarn snapping plus my machine only has one speed these days and that’s flat out, a dedicated foot is certainly something to look into 😃
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April 10, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Yet again, I wished I lived closer to you so that you could give me some lessons 🙂 Really lovely work!
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April 10, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Aw, thanks, but all you really need is to invest in a dedicated foot for about £15 and jump straight in:)
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April 10, 2016 at 5:56 pm
I’m afraid that goes totally against my nature. Always have to have a good worry first 😉
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April 10, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Ha ha – I’m the total opposite and jump in feet first, worrying about the consequences later!
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