All in all a thumbs-up Freemotion Embroidery class.

Hello hello, I've been at it again - meeting some lovely ladies whilst teaching them the ways of freemotion embroidery at Millie Moon. For a little while now I've taken a break (only a very little one - a smudge of a break) from creating with freemotion embroidery, so it was a lovely change to my day to be passing on the skill to keen sew-ers along with showing off my lovely collection of Anchor Embroidery threads, taking my stork scissors out of hiding and demonstrating the ingenuity of the magic marker pen which I can almost guarantee an'ooh' and an 'aaah'. (All tools that can be found in your Millie Moon Shop.)

In the class I introduce you to the tools you will need, show you how to set up your machine and demonstrate a few different exercises to build your confidence and knowledge of freemotion embroidery. You will also aim to finish a picture in the class which you take away with you.

What is freemotion Embroidery?? - I hear you cry. Well in essence (also known as freehand machine embroidery) is a technique on your sewing machine that uses your creativity ability to embellish and decorate by drawing. This is not to say you have to be great at drawing to get the best out of the technique - if you like shape and colour or just sewing you should give it a try.
So anyone can have a try?
If you can already sew and are quite happy and confident with a sewing machine then you can try freemotion embroidery, but I wouldn't say this technique is for everyone. Its a technique I have learnt over the years that firstly you have to have patience (and lots of it at times) and also to keep experimenting and playing at - the more mistakes you make the more you learn and the more rewarding it becomes. A lot of my mistakes involving freemotion embroidery turn into happy mistakes. 
Do I need a special machine?
No, not at all. A household domestic sewing machine would work fine just check that the dog feeds (the zig zag teeth underneath your needle) can be lowered or you have a metal/plastic plate to go over them: to disengage them.

When teaching a class in freemotion embroidery - I do love it when a. the students really enjoy themselves and get excited about the technique and the time just flies away with you and b. you see a definite style appear within the way the student creates and manipulates the technique. Its very rewarding and all in all the class becomes a thumbs-up class. Have a look what some of you creative types have made in pass classes (sorry if your picture is not on here- I'm a bit rubbish at recording things) - 

If you fancy a taster at freemotion embroidery my next class is in the Millie Moon Wells shop on Sunday 25th August.......ooops that ones booked up now. Let's try again the next one is............10th November in Frome 

Also keep a look out for Freemotion Embroidery Christmas baubles 17th November in Wells and Freemotion Embroidery birds which will be making an appearance in the next batch of workshop.

Hopefully see you soon (perhaps on a freemotion embroidery class),
Angela

More from the Wells WI

The ladies of the Wells WI have been working on a Bunting Project. Each flag has been designed and made by a different member of the WI.

We have the bunting displayed in our Wells shop window, pop along and take a look at their work.  They have used a variety of appliqué, embroidery, buttons, and embellishments to make each flag unique.

Also, since our evening with the WI, we have had quite a few of the ladies in the shop to make more corsages, try new projects, sign up on workshops and even show us some of their work. 

Here is Suzanne's free motion embroidery cards, inspired by the lovely Angela. 

Finally an apology, there was a problem with the photos on the last WELLS WI post. Hopefully I have sorted this now, go back and take a look at the post again from FRIDAY 27th April

Millie Moon meets the ladies of Wells WI

On Tuesday 3rd April, The Millie Moon team pulled up in front of the beautiful Wells museum, ready for our evening with the lovely ladies of the Wells WI.  Arms filled with sewing machines, fabrics and of course my little speech, I think we were all a little nervous.

Once inside the impressive building, the two rooms we were allocated were quickly transformed into Millie Moon demonstration and workshop space. In the demonstration room the team showed their skills. We had:

Angela - Freemotion embrodiery

Anne - Dressmaking

Vickie - Home accessories

Caroline - Patchwork and Quilting
In the workshop room Gaynor was doing paper crafts and myself and Becki made jubilee corsages.

As the ladies gathered the time came for me to stand  up in front of over 70 ladies and make a little speech about 'Millie Moon and how it all began'. Luckily it went ok and I quickly handed over to the team. 

   

It was soon a buzz of activity as all the ladies moved from table to table to see the demonstrations and take part in the workshops. The ladies were all lovely and very enthusiastic. All chatted and asked questions about all aspects are craft and sewing. 

The two hours flew by really quickly, all of us were tired and hoarse but we left very happy. It was a really fun evening and so great to see the WI still going from strength to strength. 

Thank you to Wells WI for inviting us and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. 

Also a big thanks to the Millie Moon team Caroline, Anne, Vickie, Angela and Gaynor for coming along and supporting us. You made it a great success!

We will be at the next meeting of the newly formed Frome WI on Thursday 17th May... 

Rachel x 

Freemotion Embroidery............

Another day at Millie Moon Sewing School and sharing the work produced at a Beginners Freemotion Embroidery class. I must say Im ever so impressed with the talent of all you creative folk out there, just look at what was made by Kelly Lewis, Carol Paniccia, Patricia Mettica and Jess Hyde.

Freemotion Machine Embroidery

Hi! It's Angela here. I would love to tell you a bit about my Freemotion Machine Embroidery classes. Let me tell you a little about a class I recently ran...

Freemotion Machine Embroidery is a technique where you use the sewing machine to draw - the needle and thread act like a pencil and you can produce some exciting and unique work. Alternatively, it's a way to add your creative touch to finish off your projects. It's only once you begin to experiment and practise with freemotion embroidery will you become confident. Don't expect perfection! It's generally the wobbly lines and imperfections that make the work stand out.

We begin the class by attaching the embroidery foot and setting up the machine. The clever thing about this technique is that you generally have everything you need already. Once that is done, we dive right in with different techniques to build your confidence and control over machine. You are also shown techinques on how to 'colour in', how to sketch and follow intricate designs. Once you are happy with the techniques, we use them to build your own picture design.

In this particular class, we had a range of abilities and ages, who used the technique in diverse ways - to build a picture, to create text and to apply surface pattern. I was very impressed at how quickly everyone adjusted to the technique and also their enthusiasim for it - some even worked through lunch!!


The next Beginner's Freemotion Machine Embroidery class is on Sunday 22nd Jan 2012 from 10.30am to 3pm and costs £55 including materials. Do call the Frome shop if you would like to book a place in a class (01373 464650).

Rosie was really pleased with her finished owl!

Introducing... Angela Lai Yen

This week we are delighted to tell you a bit more about Angela! We caught up with her at her studio at the Black Swan.

1) How did you learn to sew? Is it something that you've always done?
I really can't remember when I started sewing, it sounds like a cliché, but I've been sewing for as long as I can remember.  When I was little I didn't like hand-sewing as I couldn't stand the feel of felt! I do however remember doing lots of cross stitch and that was all self taught. I just muddled through it - you should have seen the backs of my stitching - it was a right old mess!

2) What is your favourite type of sewing project?
I love freehand embroidery. It's like drawing with the sewing machine. It's quite difficult to get to grips with but if you keep at it, the rewards are endless. I find I still stumble across new techniques and ways to create images. I love that you don't lose your individual style and messiness is good, as it all adds to it.

3) How did you come to work at Millie Moon? And what do you enjoy most about being part of team Millie Moon?
Becki and I we used to work together in a non-creative job. She would juggle that job with trade fairs and the beginnings of Millie Moon, whilst I would every so often dash off to do various workshops. Back then she would say to me, "So when are you going to do workshops for me". One day I pulled my finger out and the rest as they say is history. The best thing about being a part of the Millie Moon team is that because we all come from creative backgrounds, we are really supportive of each other. We bounce ideas off one another, and ideas of all sorts are continuely flowing. Becki and Rachel are great - they are not afraid to try new things and have interesting ideas of their own. They have such vision its really inspiring!

Angela runs classes to make freehand-embroidered plaques

4) What gadget or tool could you not live without for crafting?
Without a doubt it would be my silver stork scissors. They are small, sharp and really useful for snipping as you sew. Once I lost them, along with a lovely tin I had full of pins, I was devastated. Now I always store them somewhere safe.

5) Who inspires you? And why? - Tempting links ahead warning!
As well as textiles and sewing, I love printmaking and I'm forever finding new people who inspire me. At the moment I'm enjoying the work of printmaker Angie Lewin. I love the earthy colours in her work and she takes the floral theme and infuses it with a comtemporary aura. 
I also adore the intensely detailed and decorative screen prints of Clare Halifax, you have to see her work in the flesh to really appreciate it. Every so often I will wonder over the Rostra and Rooksmoor Gallery in Bath to gaze at them. Highly recommended. 
Laura Amiss is an illustrator and designer that I have newly discovered from Holland. Laura works with textiles to produce delicate handmade canvas inspired by the everyday.

Thanks so much for talking to us Angela! If you would like to see more of Angela's work, then you can visit her blog (Angela Lai Yen) or pop in to either the Frome or Wells branches of Millie Moon, and she also has a studio at The Black Swan in Frome. If you would like to try your hand at Freehand Embroidery, then Angela runs regular workshops in Frome. Do call the shop for more information, or to make a booking (01373 464650).