Stumpwork is a form of three dimensional hand embroidery that rose to popularity in 17th Century Europe. Used to decorate jewel boxes, framed art and other novelties, stumpwork usually feature pastoral vignettes of animals and plant life rendered in stitches that create texture and sculptural form. The subject for this project is the ‘flower of the sea’ - the Sea Anemone. Not actually flowers but animals, sea anemones are related to corals but resemble flowers and come in astounding colors. In their ‘open’ active state they do look like flowers with tentacles radiating from a center; when disturbed the anemone draws in its tentacles and resembles a rounded pillow, both forms are included in the project. In this class, students will make a small sampling of embroidered and beaded sea anemones, The tactile feel of these beaded and embroidered creatures has to be felt in person to appreciate – you can’t resist running your fingers over the exquisite texture. This is a handwork project; no sewing machine is needed for this class.

Skill Level: confident beginner and up (some hand embroidery experience is helpful but not necessary).

Please be courteous to others by arriving for class with the correct supplies. Contact me at 503-631-8806 or helene.m.knott@gmail.com if you have any questions.
 

Materials fee $40 paid directly to instructor at beginning of class includes:
Base fabric, heavy felt, iron-on adhesive, beading thread, beading and embroidery needles, beads, embroidery floss, marking pen/pencil, bead tray or mat.

Supplies You Need to Bring to Class in addition to materials provided by instructor:

Scissors/thread snips
Lighted Magnifier (optional): If you need magnification and/or focused light for detailed work