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Autumn Leaves and Berries

December 4, 2020 - December 6, 2020

The course aim is to learn about millinery silk flower-making from observation of leaves and berries and to interpret them using silk, leather, paper clay, and wire. You will learn many techniques using a mixture of traditional French and Japanese Somebana heated tools. You will gain skills that you can use after the course has ended to explore the craft and develop your way of recreating not only leaves but flowers too.

The course is suitable for all levels, and all that is required is a basic knowledge of sewing.

Throughout the course, you will be shown how to construct flowers with several techniques, and each stage will be demonstrated with samples. You will be encouraged to experiment with dyes and make templates. Advice on painting techniques with procion dyes will be at hand to create the effects you want. At the end of the course, you will have a basic understanding of the shapes that the various tools make, the confidence to recreate any leaf, and you will take away a collection of experiments and techniques.

Techniques and skills:

– Observation and some sketchbook work

– Preparing and stiffening silk and leather

– Making templates

– Bias cutting of silk from templates

– Mixing dyes and silk painting techniques

– Bonding silk and hiding wire

– Using paper clay

– Binding stems with silk

The tutor will help each student through different processes with plenty of individual attention. At the end of the course, we will review all the techniques involved and students will be given information of suppliers of silk, tools and materials used.

Tools, wires, dyes, glue and silk will be available to buy from the tutor.

Venue

West Dean College
West Dean, PO18 0QZ United Kingdom + Google Map
Phone
+44 (0)1243 811301
View Venue Website