Cutwork Links and Insertions – Yvonne Brown

An exciting 2 day workshop to create your own unique wall hanging with interesting openwork sections.
Full instruction will be given to produce at least 2 mini quilts which will be linked with an openwork panel constructed with synthetic materials and cut back with a soldering iron.
Guidance will be given with design and colour and some of the techniques covered will include free curved piecing, construction of a free form quilted piece without the need for binding, and my method for creating an open work link using synthetic materials and heat tools.
Some experience with free machining will be an advantage on this workshop.
Students requirements
·       Fabrics – thinking about the subject you have chosen (for example my Strata hanging is in shades of  brown and grey) please bring a selection of 4 or 5 fabrics (fat ¼’s) in a colour range that works together, you will need something to contrast as an accent colour. Batiks and hand dyes work well for this project , no definite prints. Your fabrics must be natural fibre – 100% cotton, silk, linen, viscose.
·       ½ metre of Stitch and Tear
·       A fine waterproof felt tipped pen
·       Threads to work with your chosen colours, normal machine sewing thread and some silky rayon machine embroidery threads (please check that you have rayon or viscose NOT polyester threads) I prefer Madeira threads.
·       Wadding – I prefer something like a cotton or cotton mix- and some backing fabric
·       For your openwork links you will need a synthetic fabric, my Strata piece is linked with Kunin Felt and the Tulip piece is linked with synthetic voile. The choice will be yours! I will have a small supply of Kunin Felt with me that you can purchase on the day, please bring some synthetic voile or organza with you in colours to work with your chosen subject.
·       Your usual sewing equipment
·       If you have one please bring a fine tipped soldering iron but do not buy one specially as I have some for class use.
·       You might like to bring some hand embroidery threads for surface embellishment – if we get that far! Personally I like to use Stef Francis’ hand dyed threads for surface work especially her ‘Spun Silk with Flames’ range.
·      Sewing Machine – please bring your own machine with a ¼” foot and a darning foot for free machining. Also some spare needles and your instruction book just in case!
·       Lots of enthusiasm!