A Sea of Stitches
Dates : n/a
Location: Elphin near Ullapool
Course Places : n/a
Price : n/a
Tutor: Jan Kilpatrick
Join me for a week by the sea, stitching your impressions and memories into evocative, miniature, maritime works of art.
The location of this course is my own studio, using the nearby coastal beauty spots of Ullapool Harbour and Ardmair Bay as our sources of inspiration. So, on the Monday morning, we will visit both locations in order to make personal records of the images, colours, textures and patterns to be garnered from Ullapool's colourful and bustling harbour and from the open and sweeping pebble beach at Ardmair.
But, of course, most of our time will be spent at the workshop, translating these impressions into the medium of embroidered textiles. Each day we will start with a different method of colouring or marking cloth in preparation for exploring our theme and, each day, we will start a different little work, using a range of stitch-based techniques. Hand and machine stitch will form the core of the activities but, depending on the interests of the group, we may stray into other textile-related techniques. Whatever we do, the purpose will be to take pleasure in our work and to stretch our creative potential within a light-hearted and supportive atmosphere. By the end of the week, we will be refreshed in spirit and will part company with our memories salted away in a sea of stitches.
Whether you are a relative beginner, in terms of embroidery and textile work, or an experienced embroiderer who feels somehow stuck in a rut, this course offers both inspirational subject matter and some unusual techniques to add to your current bank of skills. It is also suitable for practicing artists who normally work in another medium and who wish extend their range.
The price of the course includes all materials, refreshments and a cooked vegetarian lunch made from, whenever possible, organic vegtables from my own garden. It is a good idea to bring your own sewing machine but if, for any reason, you cannot do that, you can borrow one of mine.
Jan's studio is in Elphin, overlooking the magnificent mountains of Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag. This remote location means that accommodation is a little more difficult to find, but the experience of visiting this area makes the search well worthwhile. Many course participants opt to stay in Ullapool, which is 20 minutes drive away. It is a most picturesque fishing village, with a good range of accommodation to suit all budgets. There are many restaurants and takeaways and shops, as well as some evening entertainment, should you have any energy left at the end of that day's workshop. And students often group together and car share for their daily trip up the road, past Stac Pollaidh, to the studio. Please look at the Accommodation links page to find out more.
Maps & directions to Jan's Studio : Open Studio Page
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