I’ve been so excited about attending this course, and it was every bit as good as I’d imagined 🙂 It was a beginners’ course in hand embroidery by TGBSB’s Deborah Simms at Manchester’s Ministry of Craft. And yes, she was just as lovely in real life!
We were given a linen tea towel and a template for a Russian doll to follow. Firstly we cut out and bondawebbed our chosen fabric to the tea towel and then Deborah guided us through a range of stitches: back stitch, chain stitch, blanket stitch French knots and daisy stitch. You can see my work-in-progress above left. I was pleased with my blanket stitch and chain stitch, but I pulled too tight on my daisy stitches, which resulted in them looking more like stars. She’s also looking a bit boss-eyed! The back of my work left a lot to be desired, but I was pleased with how quickly it all came together.
I went with a colleague from work this time, which will hopefully prove useful if either of us forget anything. It was a really relaxing way to spend an afternoon and if you’re a visual learner like me, the perfect way to learn a new skill:-) I suspect embroidery could prove yet another addictive hobby for me… Deborah assured us that it was a pretty cheap, but satisfying craft. I can already see it being a great way of using up pretty scraps of fabric and prettifying a whole range of projects.
I was really tempted to ask for a photograph with our lovely teacher, but was a bit worried of coming across as a scary, uber-fan, so just about managed to resist 🙂 We did get to ask her a whole host of questions about the series though, which was fun. It was lovely to hear that everyone was just as great in real life. All in in, it was the perfect Mothering Sunday treat. Thank you husband and children! I was treated to a tasty, Sunday roast, along with my own Mum (and Dad) when I got back home too.
I have a couple of friends who don’t find today the easiest of days for one reason or another. So I sincerely hope if you’re in a similar boat, you managed to survive it relatively unscathed x
navybluethreads 
Oh how fun 🙂 I don’t think the back of your work is bad at all apart from the one squashed spider 😛 I’m looking forward to seeing some of your future Charlottes with some decorative embroidery!
Thank you and I like the idea of a ‘cross curricular’ project 😉
That sounds like such a treat, what a thoughtful husbands and kids you have! And it seems it is easy to fall down the rabbit hole of embroidering ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! You know you’ve arrived at the bottom of the hole when you start to embroider pocket handkerchieves 😉
Will take heed of your warnings and stay well away from the hankies 😉
What a brilliant surprise! Hand embroidery is one of those satisfying things that really can’t be reproduced on a machine and is all the more enchanting for it. Looking good so far!
Thank you! It was such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Hopefully I’ll be able to remember all the different techniques…
I’d have asked for the photo…you should’ve taken your selfie stick, lol! I think it’s good to have something to do whilst your having family time in front of the telly, I feel like I’ve wasting an evening if I’m just staring at the telly, unless I have a glass of wine in my hands then it’s ok!
Snap! I get really restless if I don’t have something in my hands of an evening! I really like the fairly quick outcomes of embroidery too. And you’re right I should have taken my selfie stick 😉
What a great class 🙂 sounds like you had a fab time. I’m never too worried about the wrong side of the things I make – as long as the right side looks ok!
I wasn’t even aware I’d got it so tangled up and spider-like (thanks Beth) until I turned it over. Was thinking of framing it so no one will ever see it 🙂
There’s a Ministry of Craft?! Lucky you! Deborah was my favourite contestant. Your tea towel is lovely. I got to go to the Ultimate Trousers class for my Mothers Day pressie. Lucky us!
Dropping hints clearly worked your end too 😉
Thank you so much for the update! Agree that you’ll enjoy this for a looong time to come. Have you discovered ribbon embroidery, too? Suggest you find a magazine called Inspirations, which is truly amazing. Will look up a link for you…
del
Thought Inspirations magazine was Australian! Hope you enjoy ~
http://www.createinstitch.com.au/product-category/books-and-magazines/inspirations/
Thank you!
Thank you, and no not come across that yet… Will have to look it up 🙂
Deborah was by far my favourite! Loving the Russian Doll design…I quite like that they are on tea towels too. What a great way to make them unique 🙂
It was really good fun. I think this is the perfect template for future makes for my daughter too 🙂
It seems to gave become a trend – abandoning babies and going off for a sewing workshop on Mothers Day – I also was with sewing royalty but didn’t have the nerve to ask for a piccie! Pleased you’d had FAB day.
Good minds think alike then 😉 Great to get a little me-time as well as learning a new skill.
A beginner you say? Your project looks pretty darn good! It’s always fun to learn something new!
Oh, bless you! 🙂 It was such a nice afternoon and it’s opened up a whole new addiction for me 😉
Hello! Your tea towel looks great! What a shame we didn’t get a selfie together! I’m always up for a piccie, next time definitely 😀 Can’t wait to see what you use your stitches for in the future, and don’t forget to drop me a line if you are struggling with anything.
Thank you! My colleague and I had a great time. I finished my first ‘doll’ last night and have bondawebbed their two friends today, ready for work tonight. I fear this embroidery lark could prove just as addictive as sewing 😉
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