Joyful Embroidery course with Fleur Woods

It has never been easier to learn a skill or brush up on techniques online

Creating textile art can be a very personal journey. The time it takes, the slow reveal and the meditative quality of the practice all allow you to retreat into your own creative world. When the basics are mastered it is possible to pick up techniques by trial and error. So when I was offered the chance to take an online course I was interested to see what it involved. 

Fibre Arts Take Two features beautifully filmed in depth courses by professional artists. I was drawn to ‘Joyful Embroidery,’ by New Zealand contemporary embroidery artist Fleur Woods. This was partly as I love her colourful work, and partly from curiosity to see how an embroidery course could hold my attention. 

 

                                        

Aiming to demystify the process, Fleur has created ‘the course she wished she had when she was starting out,’ and what a great course it is. Fleur takes you through basics including how to do certain stitches and how long your thread should be, to elements that help more experienced stitchers such as dying fabrics, creating compositions and layering your work. 

Split into 10 modules with bonus material, each topic is divided into easy to delve in sections. These include Punch Needle Textures, Collaging with Textures and there are also recorded Q & A sections. If you are feeling isolated in your practice or you want to connect with others you can share your work on the global Facebook community.

As well as filming in the studio it shows Fleur in the stunning New Zealand landscape and the combination is both informative and relaxing. For some modules I took notes or picked up little tips, others I had on the background while I created my own work. Fleur is a great teacher and is so open and keen to share ideas at the end of the course you almost feel like you are old friends. 

Fibre Arts Take Two release courses at different times of the year covering a range of genres. If you’re looking for a professionally filmed and produced online experience with eight weeks of tutor interaction, live Q&A’s, and lifetime access, Joyful Embroidery is worth the investment. You’ll find elements to introduce into your practice, or if you are completely new to a topic it really can give you the skills and confidence you need to begin your textile art journey and flourish. 

 

https://www.fibreartstaketwo.com/courses/fleurwoods/

https://www.fleurwoodsart.com/