Tutor: Anne Tomlin

Learn how to make couture silk and velvet roses using silk velvet and silk. Learn about the construction of flowers through observation and drawing. Each process will be demonstrated with samples.

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the art of silk flower making 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 find your own personal way of creating flowers, buds and leaves.

Throughout the course you will be shown how to colour and shape velvet petals, hiding wire between layers, try an embossing technique to make veins on the petals and leaves. You will be shown some beading techniques and making of stamens to enhance the centre of the rose. (There will be a large selection of Japanese beads to choose from.) Each stage will be demonstrated with samples. You will be encouraged to experiment with dyes to replicate your preferred colourway and advice on painting techniques and colour will be at hand. At the end of the course you will have a basic understanding of the shapes that the various tools create, construction of your flowers and how to combine and attach to a brooch pin or hair clip to make a perfect Christmas present.

Techniques and skills covered:

Stiffening the silk

Making templates

Bias cutting of silk from templates

Mixing dyes and silk painting techniques

Bonding silk layers and hiding wire

Making stamens and leaves, binding stems

Beading techniques

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