London Embroidery School

Central London Embroidery School

embrodiery

The 2018 Goldwork Christmas Stars Workshop is now available

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We can’t quite believe it is that time of year again that we need to tell you about what we have coming for Christmas but here we are. This year’s Goldwork Christmas Stars Workshop is now available for purchase as it will be taking place on Saturday 16th December from 10am-6pm.

As you can choose what fills you would like to be on your star, this workshop is suitable for all levels of goldworker as some of the fills are easier and faster than others…

So if you would like to make your own hand embrodiered tree topper this year, follow the link for booking and more details…

 

 

 

 

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams

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Runway through the years #Dior #runway #couture

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Every now and then, there is an exhibition that we feel we just have to see, and usually one holds out until it (hopefully) comes to London. However the risk of missing out on ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ at Musee Des ArtsDecoratifs was one that was too great and we felt compelled to go. So, Natasha made the trip to Paris to see the much hyped display.

 

The exhibition begins with some history of Christian Dior’s family and his life before setting up the house as an art gallery owner and fashion illustrator. A brief introduction to the facets of the house is followed by the first main gallery. In this room, each section is divided by colour, each cabinet displaying a palette with a variety of dresses, 12” miniatures and accessories.

 

As an embroiderer, one of the most outstanding aspects of this exhibition was the level of detail you could see in the gowns and the emphasis that was placed on showing off the incredible textures. These were reflected in the papercut flowers and foliage that hung from the ceiling in a few of the rooms which were inspired by the fragrances that make up Dior’s famous perfumes.

 

 

Some of the textiles could be described as traditional beading, whilst others would be considered to be more experimental, playing with feathers and layering but all were undeniably beautiful.

 

 

They also had an in-house embroiderer demonstrating some tambour beading onto a panel of one of the gown and chatting with the public about what she was doing. The piece was framed up in a large slate frame, with one end complete and, the other drafted on. The drafts and drawings for the piece were hanging to one side of her with a partially completed gown on display behind her. The finished gown was part of the final gallery to put the whole process into context.

 

 

The white gallery was reminiscent of the layout of the Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A museum in London where you were dwarfed by the pieces, however here the emphasis was placed purely on the cut of the garments. Each one is the toile of a gown we had already seen in the body of the exhibition to explain the development of each piece and the alterations process it has been through to get to the final design

 

 

Final last gallery was all the real show-stopping gowns, the space itself adds to the gravity of the items on display. They enhanced the experience with moving light displays across the walls which gave the impression of gold snow, unashamedly playing up to the couture fairytale.

 

 

 

 

It would be fair to say this exhibition was excellent, going around it all took at least 2 and a half hours going through it all but one could have stayed much longer. The number of pieces on display and the generous space that was given to each one made it a very leisurely experience. I really enjoyed the way they played with scale in the layout, starting off the with miniatures gallery, then allowing you to get up close with the real sized pieces and then immersing you in the white and final galleries.

If you would like to read another perspective on the exhibition, have a read of Tina Isaac-Goizé’s thoughts for Vogue here.

New Class Alert! Introduction to Embroidery

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London Embroidery School is thrilled to announce a brand new class!

Introduction to Embroidery, is the perfect class for beginners, for those of you who haven’t had any embroidery experience before, and would love to give it a go.

The class will take you through all the basics, from how to correctly frame up your fabric to some classic embroidery stitches.

You will get to work on this very charming diver design!

Take a look at some other inspiring hand embroidery projects,  which use these classic embroidery stitches.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhnXYjlhPDk/?taken-by=longdawgstitcher

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhoFqwTH4p_/?taken-by=hatchlingmakes

Find out more about our new class here!

 

Hattie McGill Designer in Focus

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Are you familiar with the movie Murder on the Orient Express? Did you marvel at the astounding visuals? We know, we did! We loved the set, the alluring cinematic feel, and most importantly the characters who were dressed impeccably.

We are proud to be have Hattie McGill, who was involved in making some of the garments worn in the movie, willbe teaching classes from June to August 2018.

 

 

 

Hattie, who trained at The Royal School of Needlework, has a deep love for embroidery. Beginning at the age of 3, on a project for her mother to celebrate Mother’s Day. Since then, she has been hooked, engaging in this passion of hand embroidery, and has come far. Hattie has worked on several international embroidery projects such as marvel movie Dr Strange, Game of Thrones and with fashion house Alexander McQueen.

 

 

Aside from making superhero costumes, she’s a lover of nature. Creating beautiful crustaceans stitch by stitch and then throwing parties with them. Meet Jean Shrimpton, who latched on Hattie’s collar.

 

Learn to make your own lobster at London Embroidery School with Hattie herself this summer!

 

Come join us and engage in both conversation with Hattie and learn how to make one of her fantastic Goldwork lobsters, so that we can throw a disco party.

You can keep up to date with Hattie:

Website: https://www.hattiemcgillembroidery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hattiemcgillembroidery/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HattieMcGill?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Ami Waring: Garden Celebration

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We are pleased to say our Freelance Embroider, Ami Waring, has her award winning garment on show at The Garden Museum, London.

 

Ami’s finished garment is on display alongside unseen process pictures, explanations of the stages, the photoshoot and her inspiration for the project.

 

The garment itself is sensational with hundreds of hours put into it, created over a 9 month period. Waring uses a variety of techniques and materials such as: Goldwork, Raised applique, French Knots, Leatherwork and more.

We highly recommend going to see this piece in the flesh however you can check out some snapshots below and a sneak-preview of the embroidered jewellery range produced to accompany the garment.

 

Above 3 photos: Hand Embroidered Couture Garment by Ami Waring for the International 2017  Hand & Lock Embroidery Prize Hair and Makeup by Stephie Hoyle Photography by Jutta Klee Modelling by Cara Kealy

 

Photo courtesy of Garden Museum

As promised the sneak-preview of the accompanying jewellery!

 

 

Inspiration details

 

Ami’s work is being displayed until the 8th of April at the Garden Museum.

Let us know if you go visit and what you think!

 

You can keep up to date with Ami via the links:

Website: http://awembroidery.co.uk/ (Coming soon)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiwaringembroidery/

Written by Charlotte Pearson

Learn something new this Easter

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This weekend we have a few spaces left on our Tambour weekend workshop.

This is a beginners class, you will learn the basics of this couture technique.

How to use the tambour hook.

How to apply beads

 

Finally how to apply sequins

 

The class will take place in a Fitzrovia studio on Saturday the 31st from 10am to 4PM.