CREDIT: Lauren Yeager

753A - Crewelwork Embroidery, Historical and Contemporary Design

Online Classes | Available

Beginner

6/10/2024-7/8/2024

1:00 PM-3:00 PM CDT on Mon

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$195.00

$185.25

Crewelwork Embroidery is a traditional form of Surface Embroidery that utilizes Crewel Wool or Worsted Wool threads, usually stitched onto a linen Twill fabric. This form of embroidery has existed for over a thousand years, the Bayeux Tapestry being one of the oldest and most famous example of this type of work. The designs in this traditional embroidery form vary from one period to the next, often inspired by nature, however, the motifs are typically exaggerated in both coloring and scale and can be quite whimsical. This course will focus on developing and executing a design created by the student, transferred on to fabric and worked with a stitch plan that suits the student's chosen aesthetic. While Crewelwork Embroidery has many traditional motifs, they have changed throughout history and were considered contemporary and fashionable in their time, often for the use of decorations in home furnishing. Students may wish to explore developing their own version of a contemporary design or work to create a historical example of Crewelwork from their own chosen time period.

  • The instructor will teach this live online class via Zoom. Please download Zoom on the device of your choice and sign up. Computer: www.zoom.us. Phone or Tablet: download the app. At least one day prior to the class, you will receive an email with instructions on how to enter your Zoom meeting. This will include a unique URL address and a meeting code.

    Don't forget t o register for the second session of Crewelwork Embroidery starting on July 15!

  • Crewelwork Embroidery Design Supplies

    Students will need pencils, and an eraser, tracing paper, vellum and basic white printer paper for both developing their design, and transferring their finalized design onto their fabric. A Micron pen is also recommended for students to transfer their work to the fabric.

    For transferring, sepia tone inks are good for light colored fabric, black for mid tone fabrics.

    For dark fabrics, a metallic jelly pen is recommended for transferring work. This can be either gold or silver. Again, in a 05 or a 07. Pencils may be used for working out their finalized design, but are not for use on fabric as pencil smears and stains it. Clear plastic rulers can be very helpful for designing.

    Lightboxes can be quite useful for transferring designs, but are not required, there are multiple methods of creating a transfer for fabric. Example, a bright window can be used like a light box, or even a glass top table with a lamp placed underneath. If none of these options are open to you, the pounce powder is recommended instead. (Pounce powder/chalk powder is a traditional material for transferring designs.)

    12-20 different Colored Crewel wool threads. Appleton is the most widely available brand. If students want to use an alternative brand, and they are curious as to how to choose what threads are appropriate the threads will typically have the word Crewel in their name

    The number of threads will be based on the students design that the student chooses to work on. Simple designs will work best with a simpler color palette, multiple shades of a single color (light, medium, dark) are recommended to create shading effects.  Aside from the threads used in the final design, select several threads for practicing stitches

    Small scissors for cutting threads.

    Embroidery hoop: a 10 inch is recommended Seat frame hoops may also be used to help with working ergonomically if that is needed for a student. Embroidery hoops are readily available at most craft stores. Elbesee makes several versions of hands-free hoops. (Maydel does carry the seat frame from this company)

    A variety of embroidery needles, size 7 and 9 Crewel Needles. 22 Chenille needles are also good for stitching Crewel Wool threads. 5-10 of each size.  Fine sewing needles for garments are not recommended.

    Plain weave cotton fabric in a medium weight in the color of the student’s choice 14x14 square. 3-5 squares of cotton muslin fabric for both backing cotton fabrics, and for sampling/practicing stitches. For traditional Crewelwork projects, a linen twill fabric in a natural color is recommended. Linen twills in other colors are also fine to use. Cotton twill fabrics may also be used, for example all cotton Denim fabric is woven in a twill weave.  If the student wishes to create a usable item from their embroidery, the linen twill is hard wearing and long lasting.

    (NOTE: Some people may be allergic to wool fibers, if this is the case, choosing acrylic yarns in a finger weight yarn to use as their threads is perfectly acceptable. Or larger sized of Perle Cotton may be used. (sizes 3 and 5) DMC is the recommended brand. Maydel may not carry many of the larger sizes, but they may be ordered from fabric stores such as Joanne fabrics, or directly from the DMC website.


    Needle minder is helpful (a small magnet that holds your needles on the surface of the fabric. This minimizes losing them. Not required though.

    Maydel is the recommended local embroidery shop. Maydel will carry all of these items for students in a single place for ease of shipping. The only exception will be the fabric. Maydel only carries a limited number of colors. Fabric stores may be utilized if another color is desired.

    Basic materials will vary for each student's needs, however the least expensive equipment that can be purchased and minimum threads, and inexpensive fabrics will run a student around 70$ to start as an estimate. Can be more, or a bit less, again depending on the student’s material/equipment preferences. 

     Website: maydel.com