What is the course about?
If you have no experience of making textiles but have always wanted to try it out, then this is for you. It is a practical course where you will learn some basic techniques and understand some of the key elements of design.
This course will prepare you for lots of the other textile courses at City Lit.
What will we cover?
- Colour mixing and colour schemes
- How to use a sewing machine for machine embroidery
- How to use bondaweb and the heat press or iron for appliqué
- We will look as some ways of using repeat shapes with colour, texture and line
- How to use a view finder to select an interesting composition
- You will work on both paper and fabric using fabric paint and will be introduced to block printing using simple blocks
- We will also look at the work of some contemporary textile artists and makers.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Use a sewing machine for machine embroidery
- Use bondaweb and hand stitch for simple appliqué
- Use fabric paint to colour and mark fabric and make textures
- Use a view finder to select composition
- Design using positive, negative and repeated shapes
- Understand the terms tone, line, texture, positive and negative within textiles.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners level, although you will find it helpful to be able to use a sewing machine for basic stitch.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for
health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use
numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be very practical with demonstrations illustrated with samples .
Individual practical work will follow, supported by the tutor with additional demonstrations and help when needed.
There will be a small amount of work outside of the class such as looking up the work of selected makers, extending tasks done in class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic materials will be provided by the college although you may wish to bring any materials in if you are working with any specific.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
VX337 Experimental screen printing for textiles
VX447 Textiles Manipulation
VX462 Textiles playing with paper.
