City Lit textiles: surface, structure, stitch

About this course

The course explores colour, pattern and texture through print, stitch, collage, drawing and mixed-media sampling. Participants will investigate quilting, cording and layering to create relief or three-dimensional textile structures, considering the properties of different fabrics and threads. Teaching combines group demonstrations, examples, handouts, discussion and individual guidance. Learners will develop visual research and project ideas in sketchbooks before producing either a finished textile piece, practical design, art textile or resolved samples for a portfolio. Set homework may include collecting images, planning designs and developing samples.

What you'll learn

• Develop textile ideas through sketchbook research, drawing and sampling
• Apply print, stitch, collage and mixed-media approaches to textile work
• Use quilting, cording and layering to create relief or three-dimensional structures
• Identify the properties of selected fabrics, threads and textile techniques
• Produce resolved textile work using surface and mixed-media methods

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners relatively new to textiles, while also accommodating more experienced participants developing individual textile projects. It takes place in a mixed-ability group, with demonstrations, discussion and individual guidance. Complete newcomers with no sewing or art and design experience may find a preceding beginners’ textiles course useful.

• Suitable for learners developing individual project work or a portfolio
• Includes group discussion alongside individual practical work
• Some homework involves collecting images, planning designs and developing samples

Before you go

• Basic materials and resources are available, but additional fabrics, papers, threads or other materials may be needed for specific projects.
• Bring a sketchbook to each session.
• Printed research images may sometimes be useful, and a camera is suggested.