Windows! A design and stitch workshop in Paducah, Kentucky, USA.

Description

This class is inspired by the arpilleras made in Central and South America. Arpilleras are dimensional textiles that use applique to create village scenes or other fun compositions.  The one shown here is from the 1970’s when Chilean women used them as protest art lifting up all of the young people who were disappearing under their military dictatorship.  You can see more about this history here.

Most arpilleras are much more dimensional, using a stuffing technique to make different elements pop. We will use them as inspiration in our Windows Workshop.

There will be two class sessions of 4 hours each, one week apart:

Design: Saturday, January 20th, 1-5pm

Bring a photo of a favorite window from where you live.  We will use graph paper to break down the main elements into a simple design and practice some applique techniques and embroidery stitches that you can incorporate into your piece.  You will cut out the shapes that you will use and can start working on it at home if you want to.

Stitching: Saturday, January 27th, 1-5pm

If you started your project, share it with the group and ask questions.  This session is for problem solving and making progress on the piece.  Hopefully, it can be completed by the end of the day.  The two examples I gave of my windows show one where there is light and the other where the plants are outlined.  Contrasts like these are fun to work with!

How would you show dimension?  One of your windows may have an interesting scene outside that can be the focus.  One of my past students lived by a school and her window had children playing outside.  It was wonderful!

All materials are provided.

No experience necessary, but fine motor skills and other craft skills are helpful.

There will be munchables, coffee and tea!

Class size:  6 people.  It will run even if only one person signs up.

We will meet around this table.  There are two leaves that extend its length. We have a small library of craft books with lots to look at!

One of our Artizan Made members, Lucuma Designs, has several beautiful arpilleras made in Peru.  Have a look at them for inspiration on dimensional techniques.  Lucuma arpilleras.

I also highly recommend looking at Salley Mavor’s work.  She has taken this art to an amazing level and it has been a lifetime of work.  She has several how-to books, too.

Questions?  Remove the spaces to email me:  rayela @ comcast.net