Our Floral Embroidery on Wooden Blocks workshop is a celebration of the garden and British countryside using photocopies of original photographs of flowers that are then used to create a unique piece of art on a wooden block. Our tutor, Rachel Davies, will guide you throughout the day on our step by step workshop.

A bit more detail

You will choose a floral image to transfer onto cotton fabric using Bonda web and a sponge and water. As the fabric dries Rachel will demonstrate a set of simple stitches such as lazy daisy, French knots and running stitch which you can then learn and practice. The image of the flower on the cotton fabric is then stretched onto a hoop you to embellish with hand embroidery. After painting a wooden block the embroidered fabric is cut to size and ‘glued’ with artist gesso onto the block.

Rachel will demonstrate each stage and your finished piece can be taken home to display on a shelf or hang on a wall. Our workshop is informal and uncomplicated, yet quite unique in its approach to traditional hand embroidery.

About the Tutor

With a background in the textile industry, specifically as an embroidery designer in Macclesfield and the Midlands, and later 15 years as an Art and Design lecturer Rachel is now a self-employed textile artist. Driven by an absolute love of painting and textiles she enjoys creating detailed decorative multimedia textile outcomes that utilise illustration, free machine embroidery and 3D elements. Rachel uses sketchbooks as well as her pieces to tell stories or send messages to the viewer.

Rachel has been involved in a number of community art projects and art exhibitions in Cheshire and is a member of the ReMix Art and Design Group. She has exhibited in Chester Cathedral for the Refresh Project ‘A stitch in Time’ and the Grosvenor Museum exhibition ‘Another Level ‘from 2022 until Spring 2023, and will be exhibiting her textiles in the ‘Stitch by Stitch’ exhibition in Shrewsbury in 2023. Rachel is currently artist in residence for Tarporley.

Timetable of the day

09:30 A warm welcome to @:Toolerstone with refreshments
10:00 Introduction to embroidery & techniques used
10:30 Time to choose your image and start your piece of art
11:15 Coffee will be served
11:35 Continue with the workshop and work at your own pace
13:00 Delicious homemade, lunch in the refectory
14:00 Putting the finishing touches to your work.
15.15 Refreshments will be served
16:15 Workshop ends but, you can take your creation home!

What is included?

• All materials & tools
• Aprons are provided for the day if required
• Refreshments & a delicious lunch
• Free onsite car parking
• The most important bit, your very own embroidery to take home

What do I need to bring?

Any threads, ribbons, fabrics or materials you may want to incorporate into your work. You can also bring your own sewing equipment if you wish.

Experience level

We welcome all levels of experience from beginners to the enthusiastic professional!