Textiles for beginners short course
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- Start Date: 07 Nov 2025End Date: 28 Nov 2025Fri (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 4 sessions (over -4 weeks)Course Code: VX108Tutors: Renata MinoldoFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
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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 many 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 health and safety information and, you will also 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 with samples to support your learning.
Individual practical work will follow, supported by the tutor with additional demonstrations and when needed.
There will be a small amount of work outside of the class such as researching selected makers and, extension tasks from the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Access to basic materials, tools and resources will be available as part of the course. You may wish to bring your own apron/overalls to wear in the sessions as fabric dyes and printing materials feature as part of this course.
A sketchbook or notebook to keep notes and store samples for future reference.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of courses in Contemporary Textiles and Crafts for beginners through to advanced
learners and for professional practice. Please browse the website for upcoming courses.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00.
Renata Minoldo is an artist and educator exploring the physical and emotional body through textiles, sculpture and experiences with people. She has academic training in Textiles and Visual Arts and hands on experience in the Textile Industry working in London, New York and Buenos Aires. She is interested in alternative ways to approaching art education, aiming to stimulate an intuitive learning and focusing on the individual processes and needs. She works with a wide variety of people, from children in galleries and primary schools to teenagers and older adults in community centres, charities and public spaces. Her work has been awarded with residencies internationally. https://www.renataminoldo.com/
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.