tiny happy

I'm starting to get excited about my trip to Melbourne at the end of March. I'll be teaching workshops along with Felicia Semple and Elizabeth Barnett at this event, and I'm starting to gather materials and inspiration for the work we'll do there.

As well as stitch guides and instructions for the projects, I'm hoping to find space in my suitcase for a couple of botanical books, as I love sharing them with embroidery students. The book Wildflowers of Britain was a recent-ish gift from my friend Emma – thanks again E!

One of my workshops will involve making an embroidered garment – so I've been experimenting with patterns and designs for that. Above you can see my latest make – a gathered top with embroidered yoke.

For this I used the Alice pattern by Tessuti, but made a few changes. These included shortening the armholes, sewing French seams and hand-stitching the yoke lining, and reducing some width and length in both bodice and top. I also removed the sleeves after deciding they didn't quite suit my version, and replaced them with a narrow hand-sewn bias edging.

I chose some silk crepe fabric in dark grey because I wanted something drapey and I found that really nice to embroider on.

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To one keen maker who is unable to attend due to financial reasons, Felicia is offering a scholarship place at this retreat, which is really exciting. You can read more about that here on the official site. 

I think there may also be one or two paid places available due to last-minute changes – more details here.

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