Stumpwork – Sea Anemones Supply list Instructor: Helene Knott 503-631-8806 Email: [email protected] Website: www.heleneknott.com
Stumpwork is a form of dimensional hand embroidery that rose to popularity in 17th Century Europe. Used to decorate jewel boxes, framed art and other novelties, stumpwork usually featured vignettes of people, animals and plant life rendered in stitches that create texture and sculptural form. The subject for this project is the ephemeral ‘flower of the sea’, the Sea Anemone. Not actually flowers but animals, Sea Anemones are related to corals but resemble flowers. They come in all imaginable colors. In their ‘open’ active state they do look like flowers with tentacles radiating from a center ‘mouth’; when disturbed the anemone draws in its tentacles and resembles a rounded pillow.
Please be courteous to others by arriving for class with the correct supplies. Contact me at 503-631-8806 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
TOOLS/MATERIALS: • Embroidery Scissors and utility scissors: fine pointed embroidery scissors are best for the sewing, but you will also need a pair of utility scissors for the template plastic. • Rubber Needle Grabber (optional): it can be hard to pull an embroidery needle through heavy material, having a rubber needle grabber may help. • Embroidery Hoop: a 6” – 7” hoop will be needed if you are working on lighter fabric, heavier fabrics may be stable enough to stitch onto without a hoop but it’s a good idea to have one just in case. • Pencil: an ordinary wooden pencil; this will be used as a ‘spacer’ to set the size of loops for the tentacles. • Beading Mat or a jar lid: something to spread and contain your beads to make them easier to pick up with the needle. • Embroidery Stitch Guide Book: I will demonstrate the few simple stitches I prefer but having a good basic stitch guide book will allow you to explore more options. • Kit: $28 – kit includes: Fabric for base, felt, stabilizer, embroidery floss, beads, beading thread, embroidery and beading needles, Frixion pen, template plastic, pattern & instructions
Other Incidental Supplies: You may or may not need these things; they are mainly for comfort. • Lighting: additional lighting may be helpful; a portable Ott light would be appropriate. • A Stitchery Magnifier: these come in wearable forms as well as those that can be clamped to a table. • Extension cords and plug strips: check to see if these will be provided or if it’s advisable to bring your own. • A Pillow: Many venues have less than comfortable chairs, a pillow may help. • Lunch: This is an all day class with a lunch break (NOTE: there are food options at the Expo Center and nearby but they are limited).
7/16/17