Want to get creative with your sewing machine?
Treat yourself & learn more skills for your hobby...
Free machine embroidery can be used to create some fabulous, creative textile art. And a basic sewing machine is all you really need. But beyond those basic stitches and simple materials lies a fabulous world of endless creativity!
You'd LOVE to be able to 'do your own thing'.
DESIGN YOUR OWN embroidery & textile art projects.
EXTEND your machine embroidery techniques add EXCITEMENT and to bring them alive.
But you lack confidence and aren't sure where to start.
YOU ARE READY for your next step in your creative journey!
You are ready to treat yourself and want to learn new ways to enjoy your hobby.
Come and enjoy our easy to use online course where you can learn at your own speed, when you want. No travel. No hassle. No 'falling behind'.
Step-by-step learn effective techniques
& grow your creative confidence
Suitable for the keen stitcher, this online course it's all about EXTENDING YOUR CREATIVE HORIZONS using a wide range of innovative techniques and materials. You are fairly competent in free machine embroidery techniques, BUT you are keen to continue learning design techniques AND widen your technique 'repertoire'. You are looking forward to developing creative ways to express your designs in free machine embroidery.
You will develop a range of samples leading to a final design, and complete it using your improved machine embroidery skills and textile art techniques..
Each small step and practical exercise will build together as you create your design and learn more complex machine embroidery techniques. Learn how to use simple materials and a variety of stitches and ideas to bring your unique designs to life! Experiment with shapes, 3d work and interesting materials.
You are a keen stitcher.
You are here to play, experiment and have fun!
You totally deserve this special creative YOU time.
And you can get started today.
P.S..... if you are an Embroiderers' Guild member, remember to grab your discount when you pay in full.
Use your coupon code at the Checkout.
What You Will Learn
We have designed this course so you gain confidence and develop skills, and achieve a good standard of craftmanship & independence. Feel confident about 'doing your own thing'!
This is a stand-alone course, BUT it is also a natural PROGRESSION from the 2nd full-length course, Inspired To Create Exploring Opportunities in Stitch & Design in Machine Embroidery.
Every small step-by-step lesson gives you the exact skills you need to complete the practical exercises and samples. You don’t need to have completed any of the previous courses, but you may prefer to do them and gradually develop your skills and confidence..
You will spend at least 100 hours on practical course work activities. The more you experiment and practice, the more skills you will learn and master.
YOU WILL EXPLORE:
- design development using Line, Colour, Texture, Shape & Form.
- free machine embroidery techniques: create samples of interesting fabric manipulation, distortion, cutting, pleats, darts, shapes, machine variations of classic techniques
- tools, equipment, materials & processes explore further colour theory, print and pattern-making, borders, motifs and tessellations, 3-D structures, pop-ups..
AND CREATE A FINISHED PIECE OF UNIQUE EMBROIDERY!
Create a selection of design ideas as you EXTEND your knowledge of Colour, Line, Texture, Shape, Movement & Form. Develop your final design idea.
Create a collection of stitched samples using a variety of free machine embroidery stitches, and textile art techniques. You will be thrilled with the samples you create.
Be excited to stitch your developed design idea using your favourite techniques from your samples.
Unlock Your Imagination!
Clear, concise & organised so well!
This Is What You Will Learn!
- How To Get Started
- IMPORTANT info about your course (3:55)
- How To Use This Website & Important Settings (8:41)
- How To Work Through Your Course (11:34)
- How To Get Admin Support (2:33)
- How To Ask Course Content Questions
- Connecting With Other Course Participants (6:41)
- *NEWS* Zoom Course Student Socials
- IMPORTANT - Course Copyright
- Introduction To The Practical Sessions
- Tools, Equipment and Material Requirements
- Explanation of Tools & Equipment
- Explanation Of Needle Types
- Basic Machine Feet
- Setting Up Your Machine
- How to Transfer Designs onto Fabric
- How to Stretch your Work in a Ring Frame (hoop)
- How to Stretch and Mount Your Finished Work
- How to Label and Store your Work Digitally
- Session 1a: Exploring Line & Shape - Basic Pattern Repeats
- Session 1b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME31 - Create Elongated Stitches (5:33)
- Session 2a: Exploring Line & Shape - Make Shapes From Shapes
- Watch Video ME32 - Marbling On Shaving Foam (7:21)
- Session 2b: Practical Embroidery
- Share Your Work In Progress!
- Ready To Start Sessions 3 & 4?
- Session 3a: Exploring Line & Shape - Make Motifs & Borders
- Watch Video ME33 - Create Motifs (3:43)
- Session 3b: Practical Embroidery
- Session 3c: Design For Embroidery
- Session 4a: Exploring Shape & Form - Create 3D Forms
- Session 4b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME34 - Distress Tyvek Using Heat (5:05)
- Share Your Work In Progress!
- Ready To Start Sessions 5 & 6?
- Session 5a: Exploring Shape & Form - Create More 3D Forms
- Session 5b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME35 - Make Tyvek Beads (4:38)
- Session 6a: Exploring Shape & Form - Develop Profiles
- Session 6b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME36 - Make Stuffed Tubes Using The Loop Turner (5:22)
- Session 6c: Design For Embroidery
- Share Your Work In Progress!
- Ready To Start Sessions 7 & 8?
- Session 7a: Exploring Shape & Colour - Colour Theory
- Session 7b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME37 - Create Motifs using Unravelled Knitting (4:50)
- Session 8a: Exploring Shape & Colour - Techniques For Applying Colour
- Watch Video ME38a - Remove & Replace Colour (Part 1) (4:23)
- Session 8b: Practical Embroidery
- Watch Video ME38b - Remove & Replace Colour (Part 2) (2:19)
- Session 8c: Final Design For Embroidery
- Evaluate Your Final Design
- Share Your Work In Progress!
Frequently Asked Questions
I've done a little free machine embroidery, is this course still suitable for me?
Since this is the last course in this series, you would probably feel more comfortable starting earlier in the series, just so you don't 'miss out' on learning a wider range of techniques and playing with a variety of materials.
And developing design skills is a unique element in these courses, so doing the earlier courses would develop more confident design skills too.
I'm a complete free machine embroidery NOVICE, is this course suitable for me?
As a complete novice, you would probably feel more confident starting with the TASTER course, or FOUNDATIONS course, and practice some basic skills to get started.
The taster course gives you the opportunity to 'dip your toe in the water'. It takes around 15 hours practical time so it will feel more 'do-able' for you. The Foundations course is at the same level - just more of it, with more techniques and playtime!
Do I have to complete earlier courses in this series before I can take this 'Extending' course?
Not at all, although most people prefer to build their skills gradually, and work through the earlier courses first.
As you work through the earlier courses you will develop your design skills and learn a greater range of embroidery and textile art techniques.
This course is very step-by-step so you could jump straight in, BUT you would miss out on so many fun skills and techniques by doing so!
You may also find the previous courses more 'do-able' rather than diving into this much longer, more detailed course.
Do I need a fancy expensive sewing machine to take part in this course?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
A sewing machine that is capable of doing basic zig zag and where you can alter stitch length and width, and lower the 'feed dogs' is all you need.
Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, nothing new.
When does the course start & finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
You can come back and work through the exercises as many times as you want and you will continue to learn from creating more samples and playing with techniques and design ideas.
How much time will I need to spend on doing this course?
This is a practical course so please expect to take well over 100 hours working through the course lessons and doing the practical exercises. Take as long as you like. The more you practise and experiment, the more skills and confidence you will develop.
What if I 'fall behind' - is that a problem?
'Falling behind' doesn't happen in this course because you work through it at your own pace.
However, there are live Zoom social 'show and tell' sessions to provide additional support and encouragement so attending these will help you keep your momentum going so you keep going and TAKE ACTION to apply your learning.
What if I can't attend the live Zoom sessions?
Life happens. We are in different time zones. So please don't worry. These sessions are a bonus addition for course students. They are social sessions where you can chat through your progress or even 'sticking points' with other like-minded souls.
You are welcome to submit your specific course-topic related questions within the course, and our expert tutor will pop in and answer those for you.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? Well to be more specific, you have access to the course for as long as it exists online. You also get all updates too. After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course across any and all devices you own.
If we decide to retire this course in the future, you will be given plenty of advance notification and be advised of what your options are. OK?